Trailer brake light problem...

[dpowell]

Sounds dumb but I just can't figure this out.

All of the lights on my single axle trailer work fine until the truck headlights are on and I push the brake and the left rear trailer light goes dark. The brake lights work fine when the headlights are off. Frustrating and I failed the trailer inspection today!

But wait there's more... they couldn't get the reg. numbers off my trailer so I have to go back and have them try to find the number somewhere else on the trailer or issue another number. I have the title but they still called it "possible stolen". That sounded overly dramatic to me.

A wonderful Monday.

Thanks for any help you guys can give, I'm due back at the DMV this Thursday in Lane 1 at 8:00 am

[warthog5]

Check the Ground's! bad Ground's will do weird thing's like that, seeking a Ground thru a diffrent path.

[jdfnav69]

Definitely a grounding problem.

[dpowell]

Thanks, I'll check my grounds.

[jdfnav69]

Since it is only the one light on the trailer, it is probably the ground wire on that light giving you problems. Just had soemthing similar on mine I had to fix this weekend. The ground is probably attached to the mounting stud for the light housing.

[originalsin]

definately a ground issue

[dpowell]

Yep, thank you very much! I have those sealed rear tail lights that you install as a complete unit. I was installing a set of 60" lighted posts on the trailer ($69.95 at Bass Pro vs. $104.95) and when I installed the ground tail I put it between the plastic light unit and the plastic license plate holder! It wasn't grounded at all. jdfnav69 was right on...

Now if the Thursday inspection goes well with the missing ID numbers.

Thanks all, I think I'll bone up on my marine electrical systems.

Dave :-)

[jyasaki]

Glad you found your problem.

FWIW, an 1157 bulb that is forced in backwards (they use a uneven bayonet mount with an eighth-turn lock) will do roughly the same thing.

jky