Trailer problems

[Lake Alice]

Here is what I have: 1993 Karavan trailer, holds a 14 foot boat. First, I had running lights working, but no signals and no brakelights. I replaced the trailer-side plug. I now had running, brake and signal on passenger side only. Opened up driver's side light and found that signal (small) light was on, but taillight was not making contact. When I touched to the plate, the signal light went out. Tried a new bulb, same thing. Tried a whole new box--nothing worked, no light. Except the side orange light half way up the trailer was on. Sprayed out truck side plug w/wd 40. Now nothing works at all. I am going to replace the truck side plug--any other ideas for this frustrating puzzle?

[Fishin4Life]

If you have a volt meter i would check your wires coming out of the truck before you replace the plug. If it looks all gummed up that might be the cheepest thing to try first. You may find you have a short somewhere in the trailer. If you find that the plug on the truck turns out good. then start checking power on the lines running to all the lights. You will most likely find your bad wire quickly.

Worst case senerio you will find a little wire gremlin somewhere inside either the truck or the trailer. If you do beware they bite!

Oh yeah and. I had some issues with mine this year, and found that the light sockets were corroded and rusted up, I took a file to them and man, a world of difference! Could try that too.

[Wishin2BFishin]

Most of the time your going to find a bad ground for these issues. A lot of trailers depend on the trailer hitch/ball for the ground. I had so many issues from bad grounds I made up a seperate wire/plug to run from the trailer to a known good ground on my truck. I also had old wires & lights that will drive you insane! Most Marine and other places sell a set that includes new wires & lights already made up to work for short money. Just run the wires along the inside of the trailer frame and wire tie them. Attach the new lights where the old one's were, making sure they are grounded to the trailer frame well and your problems should be solved! Then sit back and have a cold one!!!

Best of luck...

[Valv]

Wish2Bfishing had the perfect reply, follow his suggestion and you'll be way ahead.....

[Sutty]

I third that. Bad grounds are usually the issue.

[Fishin4Life]

Quote:

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Just run the wires along the inside of the trailer frame and wire tie them. Attach the new lights where the old one's were, making sure they are grounded to the trailer frame well and your problems should be solved! Then sit back and have a cold one!!!

Best of luck...

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Turn the 4 ways on and you have some entertainment with the Cold one, hehe

Great advice W2BF

[Lake Alice]

Thanks, that was my next step if the plug change does not work. I refuse to spend time looking for a short I'll just do the whole thing. I just won't have wiring inside the channeling any more like I do now.

Only 1 cold one though, because then my boy and I load up and head to Bay Lake for some hot panfish action.

Thanks guys

[picksbigwagon]

whoa, before you pull the wires all out, cut the plug off, twist the old wires and the new wires together and then duct tape them good, not thick, but good. Then go to the back of your trailer and pull the old wires through the trailer, and your new wires will be inside the trailer now. Hook the lights up to the wires and you are done. Just make sure you cut the plug off the old set of wires not the new set......never use wd/40 on electrical connections, get some battery terminal cleaner

[lawdog]

I do what picks said but I use electrical tape. The ONLY thing you have to be a bit careful of (besides cutting the wrong plug like he said...) is if your trailer has some sharp edges, which it shouldn't, or spots where the wire hangs up. Be gentle and wiggle it around through those spots so you don't wreck anything and you'll be good as new when you pull those wires! Its the only way to go with a trailer with ANY sort of electrical hassles. The struggle of finding wiring problems is way worse than the small price of replacing the whole ball of wax!

[Lake Alice]

What does the wd 40 do to it?

[picksbigwagon]

wd40 displaces water, it doesn't take away corosion, battery cleaner and steel wool will take care of that corosion problem lickity split