Troubleshooting Trailer Wiring that Stops Working Right with Headlights

Question:

My pop-up camper lights have been tested at the point of the four pins on the minivan side. The left turn signal, the right turn signal and the brake lights work. The pop-up camper during the day while operate the left turn signal and right turn signal and the brake lights all function properly during the day. At night, all of the trailer lights light up but the turn signals and brake lights no longer work. To reiterate, my issue is that the turn signals and brake lights no longer work at night but function properly during the day.

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

Your main problem is an insufficient ground for the trailer wiring. Try improving the connection of the main ground wire of the trailer wiring harness. Make sure it is attached to a clean metal surface. Or you can run all of the trailer wires back to the main ground. This is actually the ideal solution. But you can also check the current grounds for the lights to make sure they are making a solid connection to a clean metal surface.

What you described is the classic insufficient ground scenario so finding a way to improve the grounds will fix the problem. The issue is that when your headlights are on the maximum amount of amperage draw is put on the setup which if there's an insufficient ground this would be when this would show up.

expert reply by: Jameson C