Community Forums

mattwalter · 10-20-2018, 09:11 AM

Hi all,

I just recently had a towbar installed, with a "7 Pin Dedicated Wiring Kit". When I connect the lightboard (that I have tested elsewhere and know works fine) to the 7 pin connector, the sidelights come on all the time, but nothing else works. Upon further inspection of the pins in the car socket, the ground pin, and the pin that should be for the left tail light has a voltage across it, and when i specifically turn on the tail lights, both that pin, and the pin for the right hand tail light have a voltage across them (with ground). When i put the left indicator on, only the pin for the left hand tail light works.

I'm wondering if this is simply a faulty wiring kit, or a botch install, or is there some new 7 pin standard that is more complicated? the lightboard is a few years old.

Thanks!

LJowdy · 10-20-2018, 12:04 PM

click the image once the site comes up and it will enlarge for better viewing.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-37567.html

Mr_D · 10-20-2018, 12:12 PM

There are several "standard" ways to wire a 7 pin connector.

LJowdy · 10-20-2018, 06:56 PM

No quite true. Manufacturers, professional installers and most everyone adheres to the standard as shown in my previous post. Yes, several people not knowing there's a standard have wired them so they work but they're not compatible with other trailers if that trailer is wired via the "standard"

Here's another site with all the standards 4,5,6 and 7 position plugs
https://www.truckspring.com/trailer-...n-diagram.aspx

jelag · 10-28-2018, 05:23 AM

Its common for a 7 pin male plug that sits to get dirt in the connection and or the tangs don't press correctly against the tangs in the female socket..

I do two things.... first is that using a jewelers screw driver... I bend the tang so that there is more pressure for the connection... bending the tang towards the center of the male plug... the second thing I do... is take some baking soda, and hot water... and a good old tooth brush... and scrub the tangs clean for a better connection...

Usually the female plug, because of the snap cover stays clean...

BTW I've thought about buying a female cover... to snap the male plug into to keep it cleaner and prevent the dirt from getting on the tangs...