Rewired trailer now lights are wonky... - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

binderbound · 09-13-2010, 07:48 PM

Completely rewired my 14 foot flatbed. switched all the the lights to the basic 60 series grote/trucklite. Turn signals work great and are super bright. Brake lights also are bright and good. Running lights are bright and all work. Problem is when the lights are on and I turn on the turn signal, all the lights flash, dimly. Even the LED on my voyager blinks. Every light is individually grounded and all the grounds are run together. ground on the truck is good too. When I did the light test, I just plugged it into the truck but did not attach the hitch or anything. I'm sure there is a super simple solution I'm just missing. What should I do?

Thanks!

bigun · 09-13-2010, 08:04 PM

Did you ground just to the frame of the trailer or did you ground through the plug? Hitch to the truck I'll bet it works since it sounds like you need it for a ground connection

YellowSub1962 · 09-13-2010, 08:12 PM

yeah, sounds like a bad ground...

binderbound · 09-13-2010, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigun

Did you ground just to the frame of the trailer or did you ground through the plug? Hitch to the truck I'll bet it works since it sounds like you need it for a ground connection

It is grounded through the plug too. That's what's so weird.

Machinos · 09-13-2010, 08:25 PM

I had a very similar problem once and it was APPARENTLY because the ground wire in the trailer plug had broken inside the wire loom, so it was only grounding through the hitch - but it still doesn't make sense to me why it would do that, and obviously that's not your problem. Maybe it's because the ground is weak for some reason - see if it gets better when you hitch the trailer up.

binderbound · 09-13-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinos

I had a very similar problem once and it was APPARENTLY because the ground wire in the trailer plug had broken inside the wire loom, so it was only grounding through the hitch - but it still doesn't make sense to me why it would do that, and obviously that's not your problem. Maybe it's because the ground is weak for some reason - see if it gets better when you hitch the trailer up.

I wrapped the drag chains around the hitch. No change. Btw, its raining now so grounds should be better, right?

#rawkon · 09-14-2010, 02:35 PM

I installed a set of cheapo lights for a guy, Even with a ground wire for each light the other lights would dim when the turn signal flashed. It was just a cheap harness.

mondtster · 09-14-2010, 03:14 PM

Hook it to a different vehicle and see if the problem follows the car or the trailer.

Sounds like a ground issue to me.

09-13-2010, 07:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
binderbound International Dan Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18592 Location: Redmond, Oregon Posts: 3,638	Rewired trailer now lights are wonky... Completely rewired my 14 foot flatbed. switched all the the lights to the basic 60 series grote/trucklite. Turn signals work great and are super bright. Brake lights also are bright and good. Running lights are bright and all work. Problem is when the lights are on and I turn on the turn signal, all the lights flash, dimly. Even the LED on my voyager blinks. Every light is individually grounded and all the grounds are run together. ground on the truck is good too. When I did the light test, I just plugged it into the truck but did not attach the hitch or anything. I'm sure there is a super simple solution I'm just missing. What should I do? Thanks! __________________ #4666 build /forum/general-4x4-discussion/1048195-koh-ih-binder-speed.html facebook.com/hardenedways Huge thanks to Ruffstuff specialties, str8rbill, Scouty, Uglyscout, Ben W, jeepdude jay, Trans-fix, hellfire fabworks, international harvester, and viewers like you.

09-13-2010, 08:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigun Rock God Join Date: Apr 2004 Member # 29037 Location: Mountainair NM Posts: 1,738	Did you ground just to the frame of the trailer or did you ground through the plug? Hitch to the truck I'll bet it works since it sounds like you need it for a ground connection __________________ “I will not be wronged, I will not be insulted and I will not be laid a hand on. John Wayne “The Shootist.”

09-13-2010, 08:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
YellowSub1962 108" Smurfmobile Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1494 Location: The Land Of The Free, Thanks To The Brave! Posts: 8,265	yeah, sounds like a bad ground... __________________ Peter S. Di Primo PSD Enterprises, LLC - Waterjet, laser, metal forming, CNC work, Fiberglass and Carbon work, patterns and molds. No job too small. Prototyping and small production is our specialty, but we have the network to handle large jobs as well. Email me if you need something cut, bent, formed, milled, machined, etc. Founding Member - VCAS4WDC www.axlesnappers.org Help Fight Global Warming- turn your A/C on high and open all your windows. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms should be a convenience store - NOT a government agency!!!!

09-14-2010, 02:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
#rawkon Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Member # 78077 Posts: 1,892	I installed a set of cheapo lights for a guy, Even with a ground wire for each light the other lights would dim when the turn signal flashed. It was just a cheap harness. __________________ Don't blame me, I voted against him.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-13-2010, 08:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Machinos Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Member # 132500 Posts: 868	I had a very similar problem once and it was APPARENTLY because the ground wire in the trailer plug had broken inside the wire loom, so it was only grounding through the hitch - but it still doesn't make sense to me why it would do that, and obviously that's not your problem. Maybe it's because the ground is weak for some reason - see if it gets better when you hitch the trailer up.

09-14-2010, 03:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
mondtster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Member # 25349 Location: Waterloo, IA Posts: 3,648	Hook it to a different vehicle and see if the problem follows the car or the trailer. Sounds like a ground issue to me.