I am an idiot

[Ian-Vicki]

Well, electrically speaking at least. I have been replacing our converter and in the "while I'm at it" category, I decided to add a license plate light, which the Burro never did have and which the law just about everywhere requires.
Now we get to the idiot part. To ascertain which of the two wires to the taillight was for the turn signal and which is for the rear light, I hooked up to the truck and tried to use my tester, with the blinker on, to see which terminal was which. Of course, I shorted it out and none of the running lights in the trailer now work.
AHA, says I, a fuse. But I am such an electrical dweeb, I don't know if the fuse is in the trailer or the truck (whose lights all work). I can do lots of stuff, but electrical befuddles me.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Also, because it's a new-to-us truck, I can't find the fuse box there, it's not where the manual says it should be. But that's another problem.
Thanks for any help.
cheers
Ian

[David B.]

Newer tow vehicles have a separate fuse for the trailer, so you don't lose all your tail lights if your trailer blows the fuse. Unfortunately I don't know where your fuses are on your tow vehicle.
If you have a battery (even your trailer battery) you can use small jumper wires (battery negative to trailer ground wire, then + battery) to the various terminals on your trailers "pig tail" to determine which wire is your running lights (side marker lights & tail lights should light up).

[jimmied]

Like dave suggested the fuse is in the TV, either under the dash or possibly under the hood...I ran into the same problem blowing fuses when I just installed new marker lights...gosh, to think about it, I don't think my Bigfoot has a license plate light either..better to check that tomorrow but have no plans on driving in the dark anyways so may not even put one in...jim

[Steve L.]

The fuse panel on a 2007 Ranger is in the right kick panel in the passenger footwell. I wonder if the truck lights are out too?

Fuse two is the trailer tow parking lights (10A). Fuse 17 are the turn signals (15A). It also shows fuse 31 (20A) as trailer tow related.

In the relay box under the hood (it looks like it's near the brake reservoir), I see nos. 38 & 42, 7.5A turn signals. The manual shows fuse-like items.

One of two prong blade fuse testers would be handy here.

You're lucky to have pretty good access. On my Flex the inside fuse block is up behind the parking brake on the driver side and they're now using micro fuses smaller than the nail of your little finger. You practically need orthoscopic surgery tools to extract and replace the damn things. User-hostile, I'd say.

[GMike A]

Just as an FYI they now sell the fuses with a mini-LED in them that will light when the fuse blows. I found a whole bunch of them really cheap at Harbor Freight and going forward I wont have to try and read the small print or pull them suckers out and test them. Just a thought.

[Steve L.]

Originally Posted by GMike A

Just as an FYI they now sell the fuses with a mini-LED in them that will light when the fuse blows. I found a whole bunch of them really cheap at Harbor Freight and going forward I wont have to try and read the small print or pull them suckers out and test them. Just a thought.

I just looked at them. Very cool!