Troubleshooting Trailer Lights Not Functioning On a 1988 Fleetwood Trailer

Question:

I recently purchased a small 1988 Fleetwood trailer and am towing it with my 2006 Lexus Rx 400h. When we picked it up, everything was fine - taillights worked well at night. We just noticed the taillights tails, brakes, turns were not working when the cars headlights were on. We scrubbed the grounds on the vehicle and trailer near hitch and each taillight and the right tail started working, but left did not. I connected the metal of the left taillight to frame of trailer with jumper cables and it worked...but then the right stopped working again right after I did this. Suggestions?

asked by: Shannon M

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you may have a damaged wire or connection inside your 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector # HM20048 or vehicle side connection.

To test this run a jumper wire from a ground connection on your 1988 Fleetwood trailer directly to a ground connection on your 2006 Lexus Rx 400h. This will determine is there is an issue with that portion of wiring or the connector.

If you have another trailer with a 7-way or vehicle you can also try them on your trailer and Lexus to determine if there is an issue with one or the other. Multimeters and test lights often will not help as there is a connection but it is not enough for the power required by all the lights.

expert reply by: Bud M