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HoPInn · 04-29-2021, 06:31 PM

A few months ago, I moved to a new area and was doing the usual walk around checklist. I noticed that my left trailer light was on, but the blinker was not working and the top (orange light was not working at all). Today I decided to look more in-depth and the blinker still is not working nor is the top light, but now when I turn the right blinker on (which works fine), all the back lights pulse faintly.
My question is: where do I look first?
Wiring, fuse, light bulb?
This is a 1999 nomad light that I redid a couple of years back. Everything was working fine, until that last move.
Thanks

ArcticGabe · 04-29-2021, 07:00 PM

I'd start with the grounds. Find how the grounds are run to the lights and inspect every ground connection (at the lights, at the frame, at the trailer plug to the truck, etc). So many lighting gremlins are traced back to grounding issues.

SKP Kirk · 04-30-2021, 07:38 AM

Quote:

now when I turn the right blinker on (which works fine), all the back lights pulse faintly.

The reason for that is that your right tail light has a bad ground connection to the frame. The trailer frame is the return side of the circuit and yours is finding a return by passing through the other lights. Restore the right side ground connection and the faint blinking will go away.

The left, top light is another problem. It could be a complete lack of ground but is more likely a bad power connection or a bad light socket. It is probably a single element bulb and so could be a ground problem as well. Examine the base of the socket and the buttons on the bulb that make contact as well since either of them being corroded or melted can cause the problem that you have. Sometimes a new bulb will resolve the problem even if the bulb is not burned out.

CharlesinGA · 05-04-2021, 07:06 PM

Bad ground as noted, or possibly a broken filiment in a bulb that has dropped across the other filiment. It can be a lot of work chasing grounds, but in the end, everything works and you won't have problems for a long time to come if you get good tight connections.

Charles

garywilson · 05-09-2021, 11:33 PM

Easier to try a new bulb first.

HoPInn · 05-11-2021, 10:21 AM

Thanks everyone. I bought two new tail lights and it solved the problem. I looked at both grounds and they seemed fine, no wear, or corrosion. I checked the front where the white ground is connected to the tongue and I don’t see anything loose.
So I decided to just buy two new lights. And it worked.