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Old 01-23-11, 09:29 PM   #1
cassidyta
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Default Trailer light issue

I am having an issue with my driver's side tail light and am just about out of ideas.
The issue is that it works fine unless the headlights and blinker are on at the same time. If that happens, then I lose all lights on that side only.
I replaced the entire light today and the problem still exisits.

I am thinking that there is a possible short somewhere inside the trailer and that the only remaining option is to repull the whole thing. I just wanted to see if there might be something I am missing before I go that route.
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Old 01-23-11, 09:55 PM   #2
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you have a short cass. go to ol wally world and get another entire set of lights and wire. they have a package with all of it in there. cover all bases at once, know what i mean?
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Old 01-23-11, 10:53 PM   #3
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Cass, do the tow vehicle lights work fine when this happens?

If not, do they work fine without the trailer attached?
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Old 01-23-11, 11:16 PM   #4
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The tow vehicles lights are fine with or without the trailer. Additionally, I do not get the fast flashing in the front like I do when a bulb is out when it happens.
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Old 01-24-11, 07:49 AM   #5
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before you do anything eles check your ground wire connection and clean it. not saying thats it but for sure but sound like it.. had same problem with mine drove me crazy till mech told me to clean off ground wire. goodluck
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Old 01-24-11, 11:06 AM   #6
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I can't say whether or not you have a ground problem but I do know that ground problems will do some odd things. Make sure your ground wire is making a good connection and also make sure that your ball is clean and free of rust. It won't take a lot of rust on the ball to give you some grounding issues.
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Old 01-24-11, 11:35 AM   #7
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What vehicle? many japanese cars/trucks have complicated lighting..Shorts blow circuits...bad grounds = no circuit about 85% of "mysterious" problems are bad ground circuits
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Old 01-24-11, 11:49 AM   #8
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My gut reaction without actually looking at it is that he has the trailer running light conductor and the ground wire hooked up backwards in the trailer harness.
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Old 01-24-11, 12:08 PM   #9
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The issue happens on both a 06 Saturn Vue (it is a light boat so I can make it work) and a 96 Sierra Pick up.
I will check the ground tonight. I figure before getting crazy with redoing all of the wires I am going to run the new set of wires on the outside of the trailer and see if I can make the problem stop.

It hasn't always done this. The issue first started out of nowhere one of the concrete posts at the gas station jumped in front of my boat....:-)
That is why I am thinking that I am shorting out inside on the wiring.
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Old 01-24-11, 03:09 PM   #10
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Are you using the same ball on both vehicles?
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Old 01-24-11, 03:27 PM   #11
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Cass,

Just to be certain about what happened....you backed into a concrete bollard and crushed one of your tail lights?

I am fairly positive that what you have done is crushed the hot side of your running light wire to that tail light into the ground wire. Depending on how your tow vehicle is wired, you might be able to verify this for us by turning your headlights on, and pressing your brake. What happens to your trailer and vehicle lights (both sides)? Does your driver's side tail light get slightly dimmer rather than brighter?
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Old 01-24-11, 03:29 PM   #12
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most likely a ground problem. try running a seperate ground from trailer to truck,even just temporarily to try it. using the ball is not a sure fire ground.
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Old 01-24-11, 03:40 PM   #13
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I was pulling into a gas station and clipped the pole with the the light. I cracked it but was able to get it workig with some duct tape. It wasn't until this week that someone told me my blinker was out that I found the issue.

I will try the tests listed.
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Old 01-29-11, 11:19 PM   #14
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Not trying to bump this, but just wanted to say thanks for all the help.

As all of you suggested, it turned out to be the trailer ground. I replaced the teminal connection and also cleaned any paint or rust from where it attaches. Lights worked just fine. At least until I backed into the water today and forgot to unplug them first.
It will probably only take me replacing bulbs 4 or 5 more times before i finally remember each trip.
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Old 01-30-11, 01:28 AM   #15
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so wait...you have to unplug your lights before you back in? if youre blowing bulbs, you might wanna get some new lights that dont leak. ive never unplugged lights ,ever.
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Old 01-30-11, 01:43 AM   #16
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i agree with embry on this. cass you need to get some new waterproof light fixtures.
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