What are the Wiring Color and Functions for Rectangular Submersible Trailer Tail Light, # ST16RB

Question:

Over 80The 3-wire right tail light Im replacing is wired red, black and white. I know where the white goes, but the replacement tail light from e-trailer is color coded brown, green and white. Question: brown wire to red or black? . . . I can figure it out from there. Thanks

asked by: Bob E

Expert Reply:

What you are experiencing is known as the lack of a common color code for trailer wiring. But I can help you. On the Rectangular Submersible Trailer Tail Light, # ST16RB, the white is ground as you probably know. The green wire is for the right turn and brake light and the brown wire is for running lights.

The green wire on the light will probably attach to the red wire on the trailer. But to be sure, I recommend testing the wires using a circuit tester like # PTW2993. Or, if you have a multimeter that will work as well. Test the wires on the trailer. The wire that carries a signal in unison with the blinker gets attached to the green wire. The wire that carries a constant signal when the running lights are on connects to the brown wire.

I hope that helps. The trouble is so many trailers and even passenger vehicles are wired so differently that making connections without testing has become almost impossible.

expert reply by: Michael H