Trailer Clearance Lights Stopped Working After Replacing One Clearance Light

Question:

Got new lights and had tail lights had one up front working and four in back working you tap on them and they come on took one off to replace it now none work

asked by: Sheila

Expert Reply:

This sounds like a ground issue or possibly faulty wiring. Trailer light grounds and wiring are much more exposed to the elements and trailer suspension is not as good as on a vehicle to it is more susceptible to problems like this.

Make sure that the vehicle side and trailer side connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out. The main connector grounds should be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

The light grounds should also be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces. If there is anything between a light ground and the metal trailer frame or if the trailer has an aluminum frame, tilt bed, or folding tongue, any of these things can interrupt the ground. Running jumper wires from the light grounds to the main trailer connector ground can help.

If all of the grounds are good and you still have problems with the lights then it may be time to replace the wiring. Or at least the wiring to the clearance lights (it could just be a bad splice!). You can use 14 gauge wire, # DW07550-1 which is sold by the foot, and fix as needed, when needed by ordering as much of it as you want.

I have included a couple of links on trailer wiring that should also help.

expert reply by: Michael H