smithrock
Long Beach, CA.
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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I had to replace my trailer connection on my '98 chevy 3500. I bought a Hopkins 7-way connector, This is for my boat trailer, so it's a 7 converting to a 4-way. I wired it up according to colored wires coming from the truck and attaching them to the same on the connector. It seems everything is working fine except for when I turn on my headlights -nothing? Brakelights work, turn signals work. I'm stumped!  Any ideas ?????
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clintbonnie
Kent, Wa. USA
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Joined: 01/15/2005
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Looking at the face of your truck plug, take a volt meter or 12v testing lamp and see if your have 12v at the 11 o'clock position.. (the other probe goes to ground, with your head lights on).. This is your "running marking" lights which sounds like aren't working.. This would be a green wire from the truck..If you show 12v here, the problem is probably in the trailer wiring..
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Diesel65
New York,NY
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Joined: 04/08/2003
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If you wired a 7 pin plug onto the boat trailer then the brown and green wire are reversed, Check that you have a good ground.
Check out this web site
http://www.accessconnect.com/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm
1997 Chevy Tahoe 2dr Diesel
2001 Sunline 2363 w/ Reese HP and Dual Cam
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smithrock
Long Beach, CA.
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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thanks, I'll try both. On the new plug there is a connection that is labeled "red" And I can't remember what color wire I connected to that one. The old plug was so corroded with broken tabs it was hard to read. I wish I would changed each wire one at a time and I probably wouldn't have this problem!
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Pete D
Washington
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Joined: 11/19/2005
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If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you run a white wire battery return/ground wire around to all the lights so you aren't relying on frame ground (white wire and fixtures can still be connected to frame also). This may preclude a lot of future problems. Boat trailers are subject to a lot of connection corrosion from dunkings and washdown.
1998 Ranger 4.0 4x4
1991 Scamp 13'
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smithrock
Long Beach, CA.
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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Pete D wrote:If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you run a white wire battery return/ground wire around to all the lights so you aren't relying on frame ground (white wire and fixtures can still be connected to frame also). This may preclude a lot of future problems. Boat trailers are subject to a lot of connection corrosion from dunkings and washdown.
Yeah, thanks. I do have a ground wire connected.
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smithrock
Long Beach, CA.
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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Diesel65 wrote:If you wired a 7 pin plug onto the boat trailer then the brown and green wire are reversed, Check that you have a good ground.
Check out this web site
http://www.accessconnect.com/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm
I have it wired to a 7 on both ends, then I use a 4 pin adapter that plugs into the 7. Do I still need to reverse the brown and green?
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Diesel65
New York,NY
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"I have it wired to a 7 on both ends", then I use a 4 pin adapter that plugs into the 7
I am confused as to what you are describing,
The truck has the 7 pin socket and the boat trailer "should" have the flat 4 pin connector. The only thing you need is the 7 pin to 4 pin adapter.
If you have the adapter then you do not change any wiring.
As Clint mentioned use a 12v test light and check your 7 pin socket on the truck, refer to the website I gave you to identify the correct terminal layout and verify they are working.
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smithrock
Long Beach, CA.
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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I have the 7 pin to 4 pin adapter, I think I connected the wrong wires on the 7 pin coming from the truck I will try what you guys suggested tomorrow. I'll let you know!
thanks!
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Diplomat Don
Moorpark, Ca
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Joined: 04/09/2005
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smithrock.....You need to wire your 7 pin so that it meets the industry standard in regards to what position each wire is located ie: left turn, right turn, ground, running, etc. Once you do this, all connections including the 7 -4 pin adapter will work correctly. Here is a link to the standard Trailer Wiring
Don & Mary
2005 Monaco Diplomat 36SKT
400 Cummins 
2007 Dodge Dakota 4WD
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