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Old 07-13-2003, 07:10 PM   #1
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Tow to Trailer Electrical Problem

Hi Guys and Gals,
I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I am having a problem with my towing lights. For some reason the Burro lights (brake, flashers etc) will not work when the headlights are on in the tow vehicle. Obviously, this could be a problem at night. When the headlights are off, the lights work fine. I'm sure it's a wiring problem somewhere, but vehicle or trailer? The vehicle was a U-haul 4 pin flat that has lights on it that show everything is working ok. Our adapter is for a 7 way prong connector. Since I'm new to this, I'm nor even sure where to start. Anyone want to point me in the right direction?:wak
Thanks a million!
Sharyn



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Old 07-13-2003, 07:35 PM   #2
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eeeks that sounds strange

What kind of car / truck are you towing with and who installed the trailer harness?
car / truck lights works fine when disconected from trailer?



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Old 07-13-2003, 07:57 PM   #3
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all right

what does work when trailer disconnected at the plug
Right trun
left turn
running lights
if they all work at the plug then the trouble is in the boler side wireing



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Old 07-13-2003, 08:21 PM   #4
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Hi,
The vehicle lights work fine. I'm not sure what you mean about the trailer being disconnected at the plug. And how do I test the plug? Sorry:sad I'm and electrical novice (at best). My local U-haul put on the car wiring. Car is a Volvo wagon. I think I'll check the car manual too. (gee, I guess I could have done that first!):reyes
Sharyn



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Old 07-13-2003, 10:20 PM   #5
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Light trouble

Sharyn,

Your trouble is your ground to the trailer is open.

When you head lights and running lights are off, the trailer is getting ground through all of the running bulbs on the trailer. When you turn the lights on you loose that ground.

I would check for the open ground first. This can be done by hooking a wire from the tow vehicle frame to the trailer frame. If this doesn't make them work, then you have a broken ground lead in the trailer wiring. In that case you will have to check everywhere the ground is routed. Start with the plug to see if the wire is off.

Good Luck



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Old 07-14-2003, 11:51 AM   #6
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Thanks!!!:ola :ola
I'll let you know how it goes!
Sharyn



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Old 07-14-2003, 12:49 PM   #7
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electrical

Sharyn:

I like Rons suggestion........

I don't know about Burros, but you've got a 7 prong plug??? Usually 7 prong wiring means a trailer is equipped with electric brakes (and a charge circuit). This is easy to check as the wires are visible on the back side of the trailer wheels. If so, it'd be worthwhile to have a brake controller installed on the Volvo.



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Old 07-14-2003, 06:38 PM   #8
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It worked!!!:thumb
My neighbors were treated to my happy dance! :dance
We do have electric brakes , but no controller. The owner gave us paperwork for the old controller which was a Voyager. Do I need to get the same controller or can I use anyone? I know I had read a thread before about the best controller, I'll search that one again. But for now
THANKS!!!!



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Old 07-14-2003, 06:52 PM   #9
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Controller

Sharyn,

Any one will work. I have the Voyager but you can use any type.

Ron



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Old 07-14-2003, 06:58 PM   #10
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open that can of worms

thats almost like saying okra around here !!! ROFL
Any one will work
everyone has an opinion about the subject!
:cheers



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Old 07-14-2003, 07:27 PM   #11
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towing

Sharyn:

Tekonsha Prodigy is a nice 'truly proportional' controller. Perhaps the most preferred controller.

I use a Draw-tite II, not proportional. You've gotta get accustomed to the two dials and set em correctly. I like it. I think the Voyager works the same way?! :)

Any of these are easy to have wired up, and are small and can be mounted 'out of the way'. Your U-haul guy can do it.



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Old 07-14-2003, 07:49 PM   #12
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My husband has the Tekonsha Voyager.

I have the Prodigy.

I love my Prodigy. <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3f135d35dbbb0biggrin2.gif/>

Cool. You got brakes!

Don't you love it when a fix is that simple? :yep

Don't you love this board with all the great people and they way they help? :yep



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Old 07-14-2003, 08:30 PM   #13
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Brakes and such

Hi,
Thanks for the info. I'll work on that next. And yes I love this board, it's a happy group of very helpful people - who could ask for more?:lol
Thanks!



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