Diagnosing and Repairing Intermittent Lighting Problem on Small Utility Trailer
Question:
Have recently installed a curt 55354 in a 2000 jeep and have attempted to hook it to a utility trailer with Y type 4 wire plug with two brown wires wiring. The power at the vehicle plug for all lights checks out correctly with a LED circuit tester. The parking lights on the trailer typically come on just fine, but the turn and brake lights on the trailer very seldom come on. Typically they dont work at all, but if I leave the brakes on or turn signal remove a bulb from the tail light, remove it and try to put it in backwards the element will light or flash dimly. I then immediately put the bulb back in correctly and the light brake or turn works just fine. That makes me happy, but if I turn off the turn signal or take foot off brake and flick the signal or step on brake the light does not come on. Occasionally I can get he brake of turn signal lights to work if I unplug the trailer from the vehicle and plug it back in. However, that is very intermittent. Any words of wisdom?
asked by: Morley
Expert Reply:
Good job testing the trailer connector on the Jeep, that is indeed the correct place to start. Typically, the goofier and more intermittent the lighting problem, the more likely it's a ground problem of some sort.
The first step would be to ensure that the trailer connector on the vehicle and the trailer isn't damaged or corroded in any way. Clean or replace as necessary. Next, check where the ground wire from your trailer connector attaches to the trailer frame. This can usually be found on the trailer tongue. Make sure the connection is secure and attached to clean uncorroded metal. Next, check your trailer lamps. Each lamp will pick up its ground connection either by a separate ground wire, or by its mounting studs being in direct contact with the trailer frame. Whichever method your lamps use to ground, make sure where the connection is clean and made directly to the trailer frame.
If the trailer has a hinged or tilting tongue, the pivot point can become worn with age and loosen up, making for an intermittent connection. If this is the case, you'd simply run a jumper (a length of wire with a ring terminal on each end) between the hinge and the stationary part of the trailer tongue.
I'll link you to our trailer wiring troubleshooting article, which I hope you'll find helpful.
If everything I mentioned up above checks out okay, please email me back and we'll look into some other options.
Products Referenced in This Question
4-Way Flat Trailer Connector w/ 60" Harness and Wire Taps
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Vehicle End Connector
- 0 - 5 Feet Long
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Trailer End Connector
- 0 - 5 Feet Long
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- CURT
more information >
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