Help with trailer light problem

[4-Stroke]

I have a problem with my trailer light. The back light of the trailer is working but not the turn/stop lights. However, on my last trip, the turn/stop lights did not work when I hooked up the trailer but it did work when I got to the ramp. When I came in, I noticed that it failed again. So what is the problem? Is there a fuse in my truck for the towing turn/stop lights? Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Stuart]

I hate working on lights, but I and others will almost always say to start out by checking the ground.

[texacajun]

I hate working on lights, but I and others will almost always say to start out by checking the ground.
Have to agree....most likely the ground.

Mike

[Floatin Doc]

Check the connections in the plug. If all the other lights are working normally, the ground is probably OK. Stop and turn use the same part of the bulb and the same connector in the plug. Good luck.

[Duke]

If you have a GM Truck, there are fuses under the hood and or in the harness on the left door. On some models, there is a separate fuse for each function, left turn, right turn, left tail, right tail and so on. Check your owners manual to help ID each.

[4-Stroke]

I checked the ground wire from the connector to the trailer. Unscrew the bolt and sprayed with WD40. This is 2007 trailer so it shouldn't have problem with the wires that early. The truck lights are all working except for the turn/stop lights for the trailer.

[Rob The Rude]

Make sure you have a good ground, also sometimes the connector from the truck to the trailer is a problem.

[4-Stroke]

I found the problem when I removed the light cover. The light socket was corroded and rusted. I guess due to salt water getting inside the cover. So my question is, can you protect salt water from getting inside and damage the socket? Is there special trailer socket (light?) for use in salt water?

[gregr1971]

you could go to L.E.D.s

[Rob The Rude]

Replace your existing lights with fully encapsulated lights, or go to LEDs.

[CoastalOutfitters]

I found the problem when I removed the light cover. The light socket was corroded and rusted. I guess due to salt water getting inside the cover. So my question is, can you protect salt water from getting inside and damage the socket? Is there special trailer socket (light?) for use in salt water?
take out the bulb, shoot socket and bulb with corrosion -x and replace, also replace lens screws with s.s. screws , you will a have to ck this constantly until you change over to water proof lights. but it will work.

also seal all the butt splices with 5200 or liquid elect. tape, they will be the next failure...

[munson]

go with the led lights and save yourself the headache. they cost more but are worth it.

[awally]

I went with LED's 2 years ago, best money I ever spent, worth every penny

[Bearmeister]

Where can you get the fully encapsulated lights?

[Tankfxr]

You can get the LED lights from most trailer builders, marine shops, and i have seen them at harbor freight. All about the same price, harbor freight may have been a little cheaper but im not sure on the quality of them.

[fishingnotcatching]

eventually they leak. Spend the extra $40 and get the LED's Totally worth it. Also, when getting butt splices make sure you get the kind that come with heat shrink tubing. They're waterproof and also add a lot more strength to the joint. That green grease stuff is good to put on the bolts when you bolt them to the trailer, or also the conductive grease they use for spark plugs (autozone). Just make sure you put a bit of loctite on the thread past the bolt or it'll rattle out over time, and your expensive LED's will go bouncing down the road.

I've also welded small strips of steel around my lights to protect from breaking.


It's a pain and a bit more money - but after replacing my lights about 5 times, i finally decided to suck it up and make it bulletproof.

[4-Stroke]

Took your advices and had LED lights installed. Thanks everyone for your comments/advices.

[DMC]

Get guide post lights that don't submerge. Even the LED lights will fail once they corrode.

[grandpa cracker]

fishnotcatching-- I`ll give you five bucks to get rid of that two-legged "horse". I`m having nightmares about that thing. It is chasing me and has teeth like a Langolier or whatever those things were in that Steven King movie.
Sleepless in Patton Village

[Bill Fisher]

fishnotcatching-- I`ll give you five bucks to get rid of that two-legged "horse". I`m having nightmares about that thing. It is chasing me and has teeth like a Langolier or whatever those things were in that Steven King movie.
Sleepless in Patton Village
at the top or this forum click on 'User CP'.....

then click on 'Edit Options' on the left......

then scroll down to 'Thread Display Options', look for this.....

Visible Post Elements

Show Signatures

Show Avatars

and uncheck'em....... then send me the five bucks


makes for much better viewin' imo

[Torque]

That's funny... Thanks for the laugh this morning.