Right Side Signal/Flasher Lights on Trailer Do Not Function After 4-Pole Installation

Question:

2013 Nissan rogue. Dealer installed Nissan 4 prong flat kit. Ordered right and left Peterson tail lights and wiring kit from etrailer.for my utility trailer. I have installed and connected new tail lights and wiring. ALL lights work on trailer EXCEPT right signal/hazard. I have running lights , brake lights , and LEFT signal/hazard...again only right turn/hazard dont work. Ive checked for good contact to bare metal for ground purposes on tail lights and plug as well as dedicated trailer fuse on vehicle Rogue. All good. All lights on vehicle work

asked by: Jeff T

Expert Reply:

The best way to troubleshoot your issue is to disconnect the trailer and test the 4-pole on the vehicle to ensure it is working properly independent of the trailer. You will need a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to test the contacts on the 4-pole one by one while a helper activates the various functions on the vehicle.

If the Rogue's wiring exhibits proper performance for all functions, then you know the issue is on the trailer side. If not, you should contact your dealership. You can still check the white ground wire for the vehicle harness to ensure it is very solidly affixed to a clean bare metal surface.

The lights you referenced, Peterson Round Trailer Taillights # 432000, use their mounting studs as the ground contact. These must make solid contact with a bare metal surface on the trailer frame as you note. If you are sure this is not the issue, then you might remove the light assembly and test it directly with a 12V battery (bypassing the trailer connector and all trailer wiring). If the light still does not function properly even when connected directly to the battery, then the light unit itself may be damaged and need to be replaced. Since the hazard light function is provided by the turn signal bulbs (and since they do not work either) it could be a bad 1157 bulb.

expert reply by: Adam R