Troubleshooting Malfunctioning Left Turn Signal on a Boat Trailer

Question:

My left signal was not working upon plugging it in for the first time since last fall. I changed both bulbs and it started working. When I turn my van lights on, the left signal did not light up but the signal itself also stopped working. It appears that the right tail light is a little brighter. The plug from my van wiring appears to be a little bent. Do you think I need to splice in a new plug or should I try somehing else? Thanks

asked by: Ross A

Expert Reply:

If the connector on your van seems damaged, you should by all means replace it. The symptoms you mention also would lead me to believe you might have an insufficient or weak ground connection somewhere in the system. Check the point on the trailer tongue where the ground from the trailer connector attaches. Make sure this connection is secure and not corroded. Check the connections for each lamp, as well. A trailer lamp will either have a separate ground wire that grounds to the trailer frame, or the lamp will ground by the mounting studs being in direct contact with the trailer frame. Make sure these connections are also tight and not corroded.

If you would care to reply with the year, make and model of van you have, I'd be happy to make some specific recommendations for you for a replacement trailer connector. I've linked you to our trailer connector troubleshooting help article.

expert reply by: Mike L