Troubleshooting Trailer Taillights that Stop Working When Vehicle Headlights are On
Question:
Lights on the trailer 1980s skamper pop-up work fine until the truck headlights are turned on. When on, one turn signal does not work and the other tail light does not work. Thanks
asked by: Mark
Helpful Expert Reply:
The problem you are having is indicative of a bad ground connection. Ground issues usually show up when there is more load on the system. In this case the constant draw of the head lights is causing too much power draw for the weak ground when you try to use another function.
Make sure that the main trailer connector ground and the grounds for all of the lights are attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surface. Anything placed between a ground wire and the metal frame can interrupt the ground.
Trailers with an aluminum frame, folding tongue, or tilt bed can also have this problem. You would need to run jumper grounds from the light grounds to the main trailer connector ground.
