Need trailer wiring help!

[bassri]

Hi guys...  looking for some advice.  I completely rewired my boat trailer this year, and got a new hidden hitch easy connect wiring harness for my truck.  Problem...  I have no light, either tail lights or directionals on the drivers side rear of the trailer (truck is fine).  Both side marker lights are working (even on drivers side) and the passengers side works fine.  I checked the bulb and connections including the plug and go connector on the truck.  I'm puzzled.  Figured I'd ask for help before I take out the sledgehammer!

[JerryofWNY]

I am by no means a knowledgeable electrician, but every lighting problem I have ever had on trailers has been in the ground connection. Check and clean the grounds and if that doesn't do it then get out the sledge.

[minnowguy]

Might want to check your connections again. They make a neet little 12volt tester that has an allilagator clip that you attach  to the frame or somewhere that you can get a ground and then stick the needle end into the wire and a light will come on to see if you have juice. Makes it real easy to track down a short. Just start from your truck and work your way back.

[bassri]

Thanks all for your speedy replies.  It's fixed.  I took out the sledgehammer!     Only kidding.  I found the issue and I knew it was going to be something stupid...  and it was.  When I put a new plastic license plate bracket on the trailer (when I did the lights), I put it on the back of the mount instead of taking the light off and mounting it inbetween the trailer light bracket and the light.  It appears that the light wasn't self grouding because of this issue.  All is fine now.  Time to go fishing!  Thanks guys.

[double-aught]

They make a neet little 12volt tester that has an allilagator clip that you attach  to the frame or somewhere that you can get a ground and then stick the needle end into the wire and a light will come on...

a word of caution on using these testers like this- they do work well, and are very handy, but they leave a hole in the insulation for moisture to get in. i've had problems with this on trailers and vehicals, where the wires corroded to the point of failure, and made for a very difficult troubleshooting session.
but, then, i live in a state where they use alot of salt on the roads.

[rgfixit]

If you own a trailer, you need one of these.


Less than $5.

RG

[Natty]

Steal a bottle of the wife's nail polish and go over the holes it will seal them as good as new

[minnowguy]

If you own a trailer, you need one of these.


Less than $5.

RG

Thats the tool. It stays in the pickup all the time.

[rgfixit]

I have one on the boat at all times. I'm an electrician and it's such a simple solution. 12vdc is so easy.....power goes in and to ground....that's it!

If you ain't got power...it don't work.

If you ain't got ground.....it don't work.

That's all there is to it.

I recall one trip with a friend to Rome, NY. We were fishing for walleye in his boat. Nice boat, he just didn't use it much. His trolling motor started acting up. He had a bow mount Minn Kota with one of those touch pad foot controls. The motor just wouldn't do what the foot pad was telling it to. He beat on that foot control, unplugged and plugged in the control and motor more times than I could count. I asked if he had a tester. He insisted it was the motor or the control and stubbornly tried to beat both to death.

We pulled the boat and headed for the hotel....he was frustrated beyond belief. I told him to stop at the hardware store and bought a super cheap tester. It was an analog dial, but it measured voltage and that's all I needed. In the parking lot at the hotel, in a matter of 5 minutes, I found that the voltage to the motor was only 8v. The battery terminals were corroded. Cleaned them up and Voila...AOK!

RG

[minnowguy]

Yep and 12dc dont bite near as bad as AC.

[bassri]

Thanks guys...  that's some great info and I am going to pick up a tester and keep it in the truck.  It was such a simple/stupid oversite on my part...  I feel like an idiot!   

[rgfixit]

Don't beat yourself up. Next time you'll know.

RG

[Coldfeet]

Ah yeah the old tester is the tool just dont stick it in the wire without reparing the hole it leaves behind within 1 year water will get into wires and corode everything