Snowmobile Tilt Trailer has Some Running Lights/Marker and Clearance Lights Not Working

Question:

Brake lights, turn signals, hazards, and 2 of the 4 side markers work, but no running lights or 2 of side markers not working? Tilt able snomobile trailer

asked by: Matt Y

Expert Reply:

Running lights, side marker lights, and clearance lights all run off of the same circuit (the running light circuit). Since some of the lights are working that circuit is getting power so the issue must be with the lights themselves, a ground issue, or damage to the wiring.

Since you have a tilt trailer it could be a weak ground issue. Running a jumper ground wire from the affected lights to the main trailer connector ground or axle will help. It will also help if the trailer is aluminum.

You can test to see if the issue is the lights by bench testing them using a separate 12 volt battery. If they work then it could be the ground or a damaged wire.

it is also possible that the amount of lights on the running light circuit creates too much draw for the tow package wiring. If you disconnect some of the lights that are working and that causes the others to start working then this is the likely issue. Switching to LED lights would solve that problem since LEDs use a fraction of the power.

expert reply by: Michael H