Diagnosing and Repairing Malfunctioning Right-Side Tail Light on 4 x 8 Trailer

Question:

Just re-wired my 4x8 trailer with new lights a brand new light kit submerable Left side works great, nothing works at all on right side. I bought a tester and tested the jeep connection,, everything at the plug works. i attached the ground wire to the trailer frame, but i did not scrape off the paint on the trailer frame, also both lights have there own ground wire which i attached to the mounting bolt as directed, far as i know i did everything right,, but nothing works on the right side nothing,,,,,,,,,,,, 2006 jeep grand cherokee v-8 tow package 82,000 miles any information would help, i did check the bulb too and its fine, and no side marker lights on this trailer either it dose not have any, brand new wire from hitch to lights and right side nothing working,,,, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ty

asked by: Don B

Expert Reply:

If the connector on your Jeep tested ok, the problem must be on your trailer somewhere.

You might try removing the paint at the ground connection point where it attaches to the trailer frame. Once the ring terminal is connected to clean metal on the trailer frame, you can apply paint over it if you care to. If the ground wires from each lamp are connected to the mounting bolts, try using a self-tapping screw to attach them directly to the trailer frame, independently of the lamp mounts.

You will also want to review your connections on the right side lamp where the lamp connects to the wiring harness. If it is the spring clip type attachment where the bare wire is inserted into the rear of the lamp, remove the wire, strip off an additional 1/4 of an inch of the insulation and double the wire over itself and give it a good twist. This way, you will have a more substantial piece of wire making contact with the spring clips.

Go ahead and check the items I mentioned above. If you still have the problem occurring, email me back and we will look at some other less likely causes.

expert reply by: Mike L