Left Turn/Brake Lights Not Working On Older Fifth Wheel Trailer
Question:
Hello. Ive just purchased a fifth wheel older,1989 Terry resort b21 5 and noticed none of the lights worked. We were told to check grounds. I brought a grinder home and made sure everything was bare metal. I also bought new tail lights as the originals were in bad shape. I held the wires together and everything was working. So I connected everything properly heat shrink and mounted the left tail light. After this, the left signal and brake stopped working. All other lights work running, markers, right signal/brake. I was hoping someone might have an idea as Im stumped. I guess I should add the fifth wheel is set up to tow behind it with a 4 pin connector. Its spliced into the 7 pin that runs the fifth wheel and it works fine. Making it even scarier.
asked by: Sheldon
Expert Reply:
It sounds like the ground on the new tail light could be bad if the left side stopped working after you installed the new light. I would double check the connections and the ground from the new light and make sure its grounded properly.
If the ground is okay then you may want to check the left turn/brake wire from the fifth wheel tail lights all the way to the vehicle. Traditionally, the left turn signal/brake wire is yellow. Check the wire for any damage or frayed wire. Since the trailer is an older trailer there is a possibility that the wires are damaged. If it is damaged, that section of wire can be replaced with part # 12-1-1 and butt connectors part # 05732-2.
The next step, if the wire looked okay is to test the left turn signal/brake circuit on the vehicle connector with the circuit tester. If you are getting power at the circuit there then you know to keep checking your trailer wiring. If you do not get power at the vehicle connection, check the wire for corrosion or damage. The vehicle connector may need to be replaced.
If you still cannot solve the problem after taking these steps, please let me know and we can keep troubleshooting.
Products Referenced in This Question
Product Page this Question was Asked From
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Trailer End Connector
- 0 - 5 Feet Long
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Draw-Tite
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