Trailer Lights Not Working - Wiring Issue - Problem Solved!
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- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2024
- If you are too impatient or busy to watch the whole video then please use the chapter timestamps below to jump to the part that you are interested in!!
I've included every part of the process as I wasted a lot of time and money chasing the wrong solutions.
We had an issue where the fuses in our Dodge Ram 1500 for towing kept blowing. This meant that we had no right turn signal/right brake light on the camper. We took it to an RV dealer and a 12 volt wiring specialist. This is the story of the problem and how we solved it!
www.centuryservice.ca/
00:00 Intro
01:14 The problem
02:18 Initial troubleshooting
03:28 Checking fuses on tow vehicle
05:13 More troubleshooting
05:52 Replacing 7 way plug
08:22 Call in the experts
09:35 The actual problem and final fix
12:00 Conclusion 
Хобби
This was so helpful! We just got a new truck and went to go test our camper lights while getting ready for our upcoming trip. Our left trailer blinker and brake light were not working. I had no idea there was a fuse box under the hood and that it was so specific for left trailer light and right trailer light. This worked and we're all set to go! Thank you so much!
Thank you for the video, you helped us fix our problem! Parking lights and backup camera didn't have power, we checked the tow backup fuse in our truck and it was blown! Thanks again!
Having a similar issue. Plugged in our camper to my truck and the 7 way plug on my truck started smoking. Melted a terminal in the camper cord. Have a new cord, 7 way plug, and harness for the 7 way plug on my truck just delivered today. Fingers crossed it works because I lost tail lights/brake lights/turn signals, but all other running lights were working. Trailer brakes were intermittently working. Hoping I get it figured out next trip is in 2 weeks!
That was so crazy. Glad you were able to get it figured out. Lynn and Danny
Super helpful- didn’t even know there was a fuse box in my truck- so checking that now. Associate the time and care you took to explain!
Keep in mind that didn't work for me. Ended up being the 12 volt issue with the trailer (detailed later in the video). Hope your issue gets resolved. Thanks for watching :-)
Thank you so much for the information on your trailer tail lights not working. I followed your instructions and found the fuse in the front of my SUV in the correct position in the fuse box. Found out that that was not the cause of the right tail light not working. I then continued on and looked at my electrical plug from the trailer to my SUV. I pulled it out cleaned the terminals and plugged it back in. And sure enough both tail lights worked perfectly. Thank you so much.
Hope everything works trouble free from now on! Thanks for watching!
Not all trailer dealers are lousy at wiring.. In 2017 there was a wild fire and we evacuated with a horse trailer--sorry no camp trailer available and when you are running for your lives you take what you have... the wiring in the horse trailer had no brakes and no signal lights etc... when things were almost over with, and we were headed back home, we stopped at an RV dealer and they managed to fix the issue with the lights and brakes on the horse trailer.... so each dealer is different...glad you got your electrical issue fixed, they can be frustrating...
I'm sure some dealers are more skilled than others. Your story sounds very harrowing, glad you made it out and home again safely.
I’m having the same continuous blown fuse issue. Replaced the wiring harness, had the dealership troubleshoot, etc. Going to take your advice and search out a 12v technician in Calgary. Thanks for the great video.
Glad to see you got your lights fixed. I have a 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and my trailer dealer didn't want to touch the wiring under the dash either. They installed a handheld remote brake controller that plugs into my cigarette lighter. I agree also about wiring issues let a real mechanic look at it.
Hey from down here in FL you helped me a lot!. I have a big equipment trailer that does the same exact thing. Right tail light blinker and brake. So now I can trouble shoot.
Hugely helpful and informative thanks
Thanks for the video. It gave a clue where I should look for my 7 way wire issue. Big thumbs up. Cheers for your sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for this! Having the same issue with a 2018
You're welcome! Hope it helps!
Great video Dan
This is a great video. I have a 2014 Ram 1500 Lone Star, pulling a FOREST RIVER 24 RB. I bought the trailer used in March, & have only moved it a couple of times, but first walkaround I noticed the right turn signal/brake light not working. I assumed with the used trailer, I had a bad tail light, but the bulb tested okay. I never thought of the fuse for that side being bad, because I assumed it was on one common fuse. Sure enough, the fuse was bad & I didn't know because I had towed a different flatbed trailer previously with lights working.
Dude you are a lifesaver thank you so much God bless you!!
Glad to hear this may have helped you!
Thank you so much for this info. We just bought our first travel trailer and have only been out 3 times and this last trip the lights won't stay on. We had the same thing happen someone behind us let us know. The funny thing is, is that they will come on and then go out. So hopefully I can find 12v wiring specialist.
Hope it's a quick fix!
Having the same problem now. Weirdest thing is the Vintage Cruiser that is parked next to your Forest is exactly like mine!
I had a similar situation but with DC current in a newly built home. The dedicated wiring for our microwave plugin had been partially severed by a nail by the construction crew and over time (and past the home warranty) the connection got worse then eventually failed. A seasoned electrician figured it out up in our attic space. It cost $600+.
Thanks for the video
You help me alot thanks!!!
I had the SAME problem... SAME truck... different camper. Tested all of the trailer lights by running jumper wires from the front to the back and eventually discovered that we were getting a large voltage drop when a load was put onto the left turn/stop signal, meaning there was a lot of resistance somewhere on the line. We traced it all the way to the back of the truck... NOT the camper. I had already replaced the bulb with a led bulb and that had not worked, I had replaced the plug from the camper, that had not worked. Fuses in the truck were fine. Narrowed it down to the plug from the truck. I thought... wait... I have BOTH a 7 way on the bumper and a 7 way on the truck bed for a 5th wheel. Plugged into the 5th wheel 7 way and BAM!!!! Everything works fine. So... frustrated that I had not checked that FIRST (mind you I had been chasing this problem for MANY months by this time), I replaced the 7/4 way plug that was on the bumper... plugged everthing in and.... NOPE! Still not working. Well, in replacing the 7/4 way on the bumper I learned how they connect to a wire connecter on the back... took that off and inspected it very carefully. Hmmmm... corrosion on the Left Hand Turn/Stop pin connector. Took the pin out of the back, cleaned it, pinched it tighter as it was not looking very "healthy" and put it back in...connected trailer and BAM!!!!! Everything is working. I then found that wire connector part on Amazon, arrived next day by 2:00p.m. and replaced that whole part and now EVERTHING WORKS GREAT! What was sooooo frustrating to me is that I had been chasing this issue for months and months and it came down to 1 stupid corroded pin. But I did learn a lot and that was fun. I have lots of pics to share but don't see how I can post them here.
Wow that is quite the challenge. Glad to know I'm not the only one chasing these types of issues. All part of Rving I suppose. Happy camping and thanks for watching!
Great info!
Same issue but thanks to your video it was in the fuse box under the hood causing it.
My horse trailer had the same issue. Wire was pinched between wood floor boards and metal chassis.
Thanks so much for making this video ! As of right now I do not think I have a trailer wiring problem as I just bought a used 2019 Ram truck and last week went 60 miles away and bought a 26foot pull behind and low and behold my tail lights on the trailer was not working but.. the salesman at the rv dealer hooked up his truck and al the lights worked on the trailer So I thoght maybe it is a problem in the 7way plug on the truck. I stopped at an auto parts place and got a 4 to 7 adapter but... still did not work. anyways long story short I did not know that the 2019 Ram trucks had seperate fuses for every light on the trailer and wa la my tail light fuse is blown and I am hoping that it was blown by the last owner. Thanks again.
Thanks for watching Brian! Hope you figured it out!
Hi Canadian Campaholic. We have the same problem. We changed out all the truck's brake parts and still have the brake warning light. 2020 GMC Sierra. The left light was going on and off and we think that is working now. How did you know to take the trailer to an electric shop? If our lights work now... is it still our truck?
An automotive electrician could troubleshoot both the truck and the trailer for you. Sadly most garages/dealerships just don't have enough expertise in 12 volt automotive wiring.
My trailer lights didn’t work when I plugged them in this morning! I had an appointment with my dealer this morning anyway, so I’m going to inform them about this issue and it should still be under warranty on my 2021, so I’m going to see if they can fix it!
Good luck!
@@CanadianCampaholic My problem was my tow vehicle! Apparently my 7 way plug was rusted out! They asked me if I had a boat! Because they just installed my plug a year ago! When they showed it to me, I was amazed, because it looked like the factory plug from 1970, it was so rusty! I figured it out though! I take it through the car wash a lot! They told me to put silicone on the back of the plug to keep this from happening in the future! Wow! I’m just glad it was a simple fix! They fixed it for $64 and they gave me a new 7 way plug since the other one was less than a year old and looked like that, and they replaced it themselves! Mid America rv is so good to me!
I had the same problem, checked the bulbs, then for kicks ... I checked the female plug ... sure enough - spiders. Cleaned it out, scraped the contacts with a knife, and added dialitec grease, problem solved
my 2020 Golfstream Ameralite 19rd had a heater wiring issue...the factory bypassed the thermostat and i had to re wire it to get it working right. guess all these factories do stupid carp like that! lol trailer brake lights are still fine....my 2018 F150 Lariat FX4 tells you is a trailer bulb is out! even a marker light! amazing! lol Happy Camping!!
I’m having the same issue on our forest River travel trailer. We’re trying to trouble shoot it as well
Hopefully you can find a 12 volt tech near you. Automotive audio and wiring specialists should be able to help.
That’s a great idea! I was trying to figure out what kind of shop does that. Thank you so much!
HI, I have my trailer tail lights that just wont light, although my turn signals, my break lights, my emergency light, my electric break all work perfectly. I had an issue with the connecting cable from the car to the trailer lately. It got tangled up with the hitch and caused a short somehow. Two fuses were busted in the truck fuse box. I replaced them. So I dont know were to look. I replaced the 7 pins cable. Do you have an idea for what I should look for?
Thank you in advance an thank you for sharing your expertise, much appreciated.
Best regards,
Sellig
It sounds like you have a short somewhere in the system. You will have to see if there is anyone close to you that specialises in 12 volt wiring. Most car audio/lighting places can point you in the right direction. Hopefully you can locate an expert to troubleshoot for you. Be careful about rv and auto dealers as this isn't necessarily their area of expertise.
@@CanadianCampaholic thanks. I think I solved the problem . There was a fuse that was burnt. Replaced the fuse and will see if that was the problem when I get to my trailer upon testing it.
Best regards, your help is much appreciated.
@@sellignomod83 if the fuse keeps burning out then definitely a short, and try my advice. Take care!
I have a 2012 Forest River lite having the issue of no brake lights and no running lights had a friend plug into his truck and nothing
Hey Phillip! How’s everything been since this comment?
I just got a 2012 FR sp-189 and the driver side lights don’t work
I did see corrosion on the female 7 plug sp going to try to clean that out
But yeah let me know!
RV companies have zero quality control
Lesson learned. Let your kids help with the lights.
wow!
😀👍👍
👍👍💯💯⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m having this problem with my 2017 Jayco. Just put another LED light on and still having the same problem….
Hopefully you can find an automotive electrician near you who can help
Check your truck fuse under the hood… You’ll find one for trailer stop / turn. Mine is a 10 amp and corrected my issue.
Yes fuses can be a fix. In my case it was faulty wiring on the camper.
Check the fuses, I would have never guess. Wow, next time I have a flat tire, I will check the air pressure in the tire. Don't you just love a smart a...e.
Did you watch the whole video?? It wasn't the fuses...it was a wiring issue in the frame of the trailer - making the fuses blow.
Holy fuck! Trying to get info. Not your travel plans
You lost me at reputable manufacturer.