Scamp Running Lights Stay ON

[Bluemorpho]

I have owned my Scamp for about 4 years. Until recently, all of the the running lights turn on when I plug my connector into the car's trailer hitch electrical plug and turn off when I unplug it. I have never questioned that that is how it is supposed to be. The running lights did not stay on when the camper was not connected to the car and did not turn on when connected to shore power or when the battery switch was on.

Starting several weeks ago, the running lights stay on when I have the trailer connected to shore power or have the battery switch turned to on. I suspect this has to do with a recent incident, but it still doesn't make sense to me.

I had to replace the fuse for the interior lights several weeks ago. I noticed the persistent running lights problems after that, so assume they are related. Is that how it's supposed to be?? If so, then why weren't my running lights going on before when the camper was connected to shore power (and the interior lights worked just fine). And if not, then why now the persistent running lights?

Thanks for your thoughts!!

Edit: I just searched for similar problem on this forum and saw an excellent thread from, I think it was, 2017. It sounds like I need a new 7 pin connector. And that makes sense, because the reasons I had to change the fuse on the interior lights is because the 7 pin shorted out. I still don't understand why that would cause my running lights to stay on. It seems like it would cause the opposite. Anyway, still look forward to hearing thoughts from whoever wants to chime in.

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by Bluemorpho

Starting several weeks ago, the running lights stay on when I have the trailer connected to shore power or have the battery switch turned to on. I suspect this has to do with a recent incident, but it still doesn't make sense to me.

If pins three and four get connected together the house battery will power the marker lights. Where was the damage and what was repaired?

[Bluemorpho]

Originally Posted by AC0GV

If pins three and four get connected together the house battery will power the marker lights. Where was the damage and what was repaired?

Can a short cause pins to connect together? The short happened when I connected the trailer plug to the connector on TV. It blew the fuse for the inside lights, apparently, and I replaced the fuse. No other repairs.
Thanks for your input!

[Radar1]

Your trailer running lights should never turn on just because you plug the 7 pin connector into the TV unless you also have them turned on at the TV.
Usually this is caused by a short that is caused by a wiring defect, or moisture in the 7 pin connector, which could be caused from the 7 pin laying on the ground. If not one of those causes, it could be caused by an insufficient ground wire connection.

[Bluemorpho]

Thank you for the replying and the helpful info. It’s sounds pretty clear that I need a new connector. ��

[bertherr]

Remove your trailer side connector and see if the problem goes away. Bert

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Bluemorpho

Can a short cause pins to connect together? The short happened when I connected the trailer plug to the connector on TV. It blew the fuse for the inside lights, apparently, and I replaced the fuse. No other repairs.
Thanks for your input!

WSell I have had a lot of problems and shorts with this plug, and plugging it in should not cause any movement to the contacts. But who knows. I did have this happen plugged in or not and it was a short in the plug. I ended up replacing the pug with a whole factor cable with a molded and and have been very happy with it. Here is a thread on what I did.


https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...ug-102616.html

[Bluemorpho]

Originally Posted by bertherr

Remove your trailer side connector and see if the problem goes away. Bert

The running lights do turn off when I unplug from shore power (I assume that’s what you are referring to by “side connector), but they shouldn’t come on when I plug it in to shore power. I will plug it in again, and see if it is still happening, but I’m pretty sure now that the shore power plug needs to be replaced (I erroneously referred to the TV connectors in earlier post.)

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Bluemorpho]

Thanks, I’ll take a look Computerspook

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Bluemorpho

The running lights do turn off when I unplug from shore power (I assume that’s what you are referring to by “side connector), but they shouldn’t come on when I plug it in to shore power. I will plug it in again, and see if it is still happening, but I’m pretty sure now that the shore power plug needs to be replaced (I erroneously referred to the TV connectors in earlier post.)

Thanks for your thoughts.

Weird Doubt that it is the shore power plug. Might have something to do with the converter. More likely is something to do with how it is wired up.


I would start with that fuse.

#1 is there any loose wiring around it.


#2 what happens if you pull that fuse?



#3 with the shore power off see what works and does not work. Then with it plugged into shore power see what changes there are.


What kind of converter do you have?


Basically the running lights should not even have anything to do with the shore power. (well unless you do the full conversion I linked to above) So that is weird. Someone mentioned ground and that might be an interesting question.

#4 what happens if you plug it into shore power without the ground line connected. Might need a couple adapters to make this happen.


Let us know how it is going.

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Bluemorpho

Thanks, I’ll take a look Computerspook

If you can find a helper have them watch what happens when you wiggle wires including the pig tail and around the fuse block.

[Bluemorpho]

So, it gets weirder (though I have no electrical knowledge so maybe not). I had unplugged the shore power the other day just so the running lights wouldn’t be on. I just plugged the shore power back on and the running lights don’t come on as they had before. Yay, but so strange. Hopefully the problem, whatever it was is solved. Thank you all for your input. Lovely community here!

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Bluemorpho

So, it gets weirder (though I have no electrical knowledge so maybe not). I had unplugged the shore power the other day just so the running lights wouldn’t be on. I just plugged the shore power back on and the running lights don’t come on as they had before. Yay, but so strange. Hopefully the problem, whatever it was is solved. Thank you all for your input. Lovely community here!

OK I am wondering about a loose wire. You don't want this coming back. And the thing is that you are probably getting a very limited set of "samples" of when they are on.


I would find a friend (maybe a spouse but not sure if you are married ;-) ) Have the friend stand outside and watch the running lights so you can know if they come on while you go around and wiggle wires.


I would try for the end of the RV7 plug and also the full pig tail.

I Would also look around the area of the fuse you replaced. Did you ever find out why it blew? Might end up blowing it again this way. Better than on the road. ;-) I also would wiggle all of the wires going into the converter. I suspect that your friend is going to start yelling "they just turned on" at some point and then you will either know how to fix it by looking there or be able to come back here with better information.