Troubleshooting New Lights On 2007 keystone Cougar Toy Hauler Not Working

Question

Question:

Hi etrailer Experts! I am picking up my 2007 Keystone Cougar from the Shore in New Jersey and trailing it back home to Colorado. My trailer was vandalized at the auction parking lot that I picked it up from. Most of the lights were smashed and some minor cosmetic damage mostly. I bought and replaced all the marker/running lights and brake lights. But I can’t get them to turn on. I have replaced all necessary fuses and brand new batteries in the rig. And checked breakers and inverter with multi meter. Am I forgetting something? Or overlooking something? Maybe trailer plug isn’t wired correctly? Any help you can pass to me is so greatly appreciated guys!! Thanks,

asked by: Tressa M

0

Expert Reply:

I am sorry to hear your trailer was vandalized!

I would be happy to help you troubleshoot why the new lights in your 2007 Keystone Cougar are not working when plugged into your 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.

First let's start with determining if the problem is with the truck, or the trailer side of the wiring. To do this start your truck and while having a friend apply the brakes, turn signals, and turn on the head lights use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to check the pins on the connector on the back of your truck. I went ahead and included a diagram of a 7-way connector to show you the functions of each pin. Since you mentioned your Keystone Cougar is a Toy Hauler it likely has a 7-way connector, but if it doesn't just let me know.

If you have power to the pins then that means the trailer is the side have an issue, and if you are not getting any power that means the issue is on the truck itself.

Starting with the truck side, verify that the ground is in good shape, and that there are no damaged wires that you can see. Since you mentioned you already replaced the fuses and battery I am would be surprised if the issue was on the truck side.

Now if the issue is on the trailer side start by checking the connector on the trailer for any corrosion or debris in the connector that could be causing a bad connection. If there is corrosion visible it is possible there is also corrosion on the inside of the connector that will require the connector to be replaced with a new one like the # PK12706.

Next check that the main ground on the tongue of the trailer is secured snugly to clean, corrosion free metal, and verify if the lights you installed ground through the mounting hardware, or through a ground wire. If they secure through the mounting hardware, make sure they are bolted to metal and not plastic/fiber glass. If they have a ground wire, make sure they are secured to clean corrosion free metal.

Since none of the lights are working at all the issue is likely the main ground or corrosion in the connector as even if wired incorrectly the functions would likely still come on just may not match the function of the truck.

Let me know what you find and if needed we will go into some more in-depth trouble shooting.

I included a link to a helpful article on wiring for you to take a look at.