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Ok, I have just purchased a brand new set of LED trailer lights, and I'm having the same problem that I did with my old set of lights.
My passenger side tail light will not work. Every other function on the passenger side light works, the brake light and the signal work. When i turn my truck lights on that passenger side trailer light is dark.
I have a Load Rite Trailer and there are lights on each of the fenders that work perfectly. It makes me belive that the problem could be in the wiring between the fender light and the tail light.
I'm trying to avoid re-wiring the entire trailer just to fix this one function, if at all possible.
If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, I would greatly appreciate them. Thanks in advance.
did you check at the plug with a voltmeter to see if you have power there?..if so...sounds like it could be a cut wire or a bad splice.....do you have or access to a voltmeter?
Hate to tell you but they splice the wire at the side marker and that is where your short is most likely. If you can get at it and pull the wire out all you need do is put in a new splice. I just came in from putting new led lights on the trailer and they look geat hope they last as long as they say. Good luck and good fishing.
Location: ICW, Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Posts: 622
Trailer light problem...Please help!
I hate trailer lights. I have had a number of trailers and lights have always been an ongoing maintenance problem. I typically just replace the lights and wires about once every two or three years with the same type that come on the trailers. Next time around I'll install the LEDs.
There isn't a short or it would eventually or automatically blow a fuse. The way it is wired, each light coming from the tongue has a splice for each running light as already mentioned. Start at the last light that is working and check every splice and every hole in the frame that the wire runs through. I believe it is the brown wire that feeds the tail/running lights. Similar situation for me found a wire behind the fender light nut/washer tightened down when trailer was wired. If it is not in the wire, I would have to think within the taillight itself; the internal connection has been lost. Most of these lights are hermetically sealed. So if it is in the light you might have to get another one.. Just guessing on that one but I’m betting on the wire.
These situations can be a pain but if you trace it out you will most likely find the culprit!
If I understand correctly, the running light doesn't work on the passenger side, but turn indicator and the brake light work.
Not a ground problem, if it was a ground problem, no function on that fixture would work. I am inclined to beleave it is where the connection for the side marker light has been made. These lights are sometime made with a connection that clips over the wire using something like a little knife or a bur to cut the wire and make the connection. No real mechanical type splice is used. These types of connections are a pain in the but to be sure, they open the wire up and allow dirt, salt, and whatever to get in/on the wire. That is where I would look for my problem.
When making the splice at the marker light, I soldered the connection and then applied liquid electrical tape. I let it dry in between, but applied about 3-4 coats. I don't know how well it will hold up, but we'll see.
Thanks for all of your advice. After a little tracing I believe the problem is with the splice at the fender light like many of you suggested. The snow here has held up my progress a little, but thanks for all the tips.
I got tired of the constant battle with trailer lights on my 18' and gave up. I took a piece of 1/2 exterior plywood and mounted a set of lights to it. I bundled the wires together and ran it all the way to the truck. When I got to the ramp, I would remove the bungee cords and place teh light board in the bed of my pickup. It looked kinda ghetto but I never had a problem with trailer wiring again.
I have a galvanized Load rite with that did the exact same thing. My problem turned out to be that saltwater had gotten into the main yellow wire on the harness to the light and corroded the wire back near where it came through the trailer to go into the wire nut. I only found it after buying a new light and much cursing. Even a voltmeter had a hard time finding it, but when I stripped the insulation back I found green corroded wire.
Similar problem, right side tail light didn't work. I assumed it was a problem with the wiring, probably due to the weird crimp/splice thing used for the side marker lights. I rewired that side of the trailer and it still didn't work. Turned out the harmonicly sealed water tight LED tail light had water in it. Only dunked it a handful of times too.