Trailer Lights

markm

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
158
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C (Sterndrive)
Vessel Name
Mark Twain
All of my trailer lights are working with the exception of the yellow lights on the trailer fenders. Is this a problem at the flat five pin connecter, or is the problem elsewhere? Both sides don't work. I have a King Saltwater trailer for my Classic R-21. Thanks
 
Hi Mark,

The lights that you describe are just two in a series of lights on the trailer called running lights or marker lights. If they are the only two that are not working it is unlikely that the problem is at the 5 pin connection. It is also unlikely that both of these lights have burned out at the same time, especially if they are LED lights like the ones on my King trailer. The LED lights are likely to outlast the trailer. Therefore, it is most likely a grounding issue. Each light on the trailer has a hot lead (usually a black or red wire) which brings power from the 5 pin connection to the light and a ground wire (usually a white wire) which ties each light back to the frame of the trailer. Because these lights are on opposite sides of the trailer it is unlikely that they share a common ground wire but it is possible. Check behind each light and see if you can see where the ground wire is tied to the frame. Loosen that connection at the frame, clean it with some sandpaper to remove any corrosion and reconnect it. If it was a grounding issue the lights should now work.

Here is a link to the lights that are on my King trailer http://www.easternmarine.com/Amber-Mini ... t-AL-90AB/ Looking at this reminds me that these lights have a plug and socket connection on the back of the light. The issue may just be corrosion at this connection. Unplug each light and clean the connections any way you can. Sometimes just unplugging and reconnecting the light several times creates enough scrubbing action to clean the connections. This may also solve your problem. It is pouring down rain here at the moment and isn't supposed to stop until the weekend or maybe Monday of next week. If there is a break in the rain at all I will go out and check the setup on my trailer and see if I can provide you with any better information.

Keep us informed if any of this helps to solve the problem.

Eric
 
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