Community Forums

Dces175 · 05-05-2019, 04:43 AM

I am having an issue with one of my taillights. I had some water intrusion and I suspect my ground wire is faulted. I was wondering if typically the wiring ran underneath along the frame for it’s entire length. Anyone had to deal with this? I did replace the entire assembly with no success.

clifford j · 05-05-2019, 05:48 AM

Tell us more about the issue, dim ? not lighting , what bulb , how many bulbs in the assembly, Why is your guess no ground.

CLIFFORD

grindstone01 · 05-05-2019, 09:14 AM

Can you remove the light assembly and cut the wire insulation to expose the ground bare wire? Then attach a secondary wire to the frame to see if that solves the grounding problem.

Dces175 · 05-05-2019, 09:41 AM

Thanks for the replies. I don’t have turn, brake or running lights. I will expose the ground and attach a secondary wire to see if that works. I also tried a different bulb as well even though the new assembly had a new bulb.

clifford j · 05-05-2019, 10:33 AM

DCES175, you just told us new information,"a new Assembly" did you just replace an old unit that had a problem or is your new one just not working.

CLIFFORD

Dces175 · 05-05-2019, 11:01 AM

Old unit quit workingI think due to water intrusion. I replaced with new unit and does not work.

Tightwadted · 05-05-2019, 03:59 PM

I have found on many occasions that a ground problem will manifest itself by lights being dim, and blinkers functioning weirdly, you should check the wires with a multimeter to see if you have good ground, or power to the hot sides. Water on copper wire connections can turn them to junk many feet from the initial point of getting wet. you could have to replace a lot of wire. most campers I have seen run wires inside the walls and aren't readily accessible outside. Worst case scenario would be to run new wires all the way from the junction box by your pin box along the frame and then try to "fish" them to the new taillight through the rear wall. JMHO

charliez · 05-06-2019, 06:54 AM

A fuse may have blown. Most TV's have separate fuses and relays for trailers. If' your replacing, always go with a sealed LED light. Eliminates alot of hassles.

clifford j · 05-06-2019, 04:14 PM

DCES 175, no illumination from all bulbs could point to a bad ground. As suggested use a test wire from your assembly and look for a chassis ground. Fiber glass rear cap is not your friend. A normal wiring harness would have a common harness coming from the front and split in the rear area to go left and right. Both sides would probably share the same ground source. Because mfgr's are cheap I don't think there is a connector in the rear area that would come apart. I also doubt there is a fuse in the circuitry that is the culprit. You have lost both run light and T/S and Brk. with different power sources . Sounds like you need to get dirty and follow the wiring harnesses. If you determine your ground is open just snake the replacement wire and abandon the original.
Keep us informed

CLIFFORD

Dces175 · 05-12-2019, 04:47 AM

Thank you for all your replies and help. Seems I am not much of an installer. One of my connections was not good and that was my issue. Everything looking good and ready for a two month tour of the west. Again thanks for all the help.