Tail Lights not Working

[John M]

Need some help folks. Trillium trailer '74. Hooked it up and no tail lights working. Checked fuses both on the trailer and the tow vehicle,connections and wiring as well. All wiring was replaced by Escape trailers 2 years ago. Worked awesome. Now nothing. HELP...

[Byron Kinnaman]

First off what's not working the tail lights and running lights, or brake lights?
Second what's the tow vehicle?

Determine what not working then look at the fuses in the tow vehicle, power for the brake light and tail/running lights come from the tow. In my case I have relays along with fuses between the power and the trailer. So look for both.

Now it's time for the experts to tell you all about it.

[The Minimalist]

If you have no lights back there, check the ground. Check continuity between the trailer plug and the frame. Likely a broken connection or corrosion.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by The Minimalist

If you have no lights back there, check the ground. Check continuity between the trailer plug and the frame. Likely a broken connection or corrosion.

Ah yessss, The head of the myth list.

[Jared J]

Did trilliums actually use the frame for ground? I know nothing about them.

I always tell people to cut a system in half when troubleshooting. In this case, at the trailer/vehicle connection. Get a meter or one of those plug in trailer light testers, and check the vehicle side first. If that's all good, I would run a meter from the ground at the trailer plug, back to the socket for the bulb and check continuity. Repeat for hot side. Then just narrow it down into smaller sections, whichever one is bad.

[John M]

Thanks for the help folks......tow vehicle (Kia Sorento '06) checked out fine with the help of a meter. All leads before and after fuses check out good.Plug lites up fine.
No lights (all fuses good) at all at the trailer though. (brakes, running, turn....nada)
I've sanded and cleaned all ground and connections on the frame. See how it works tomorrow after I put things back. Will let you guys know. Again...many thanks.

[Jared J]

If its good to the plug, and no lights work, it's a trailer ground problem as you've discovered.

Does the harness ground the frame, and the lights off the frame, or are the lights wired direct to the ground wire?

If it goes to the frame, it's between the plug and the frame. If not, it's between the plug and the first light. Welcome to trailer wiring. If there are any scotch locks in the wiring, rip them out now and replace them with proper crimps and adhesive heat shrink before its too late and you have to replace the wiring.

[John M]

YAY......lights on and all is well in the trailer world.........GROUND on the trailer WAS the issue. Had 3 of them. All cleaned up and working....many thanks to Jared J, Byron and the Minimalist for all the help..........this site ROCKS...YAH !!!!!!

[The Minimalist]

Anytime........glad we could help.

[Terranovafox]

Great discussion. Seems to me that I may have a ground issue. Where exactly were your ground connections? I have a 79' Trillium Jubilee.

[Kevin A]

Paul, you are responding to a thread that is 10 years old. Just be aware that the original poster may no longer be on this forum.

[Terranovafox]

Originally Posted by Kevin A

Paul, you are responding to a thread that is 10 years old. Just be aware that the original poster may no longer be on this forum.

Thank you.

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by Kevin A

Paul, you are responding to a thread that is 10 years old. Just be aware that the original poster may no longer be on this forum.

Actually the OP still does monitor the forum.

Last visited at 05-18-2023 03:31 AM

Charles

[Terranovafox]

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

Actually the OP still does monitor the forum.



Last visited at 05-18-2023 03:31 AM



Charles

Thank you. I, too, noted that before responding. I also PM'd John. That said, the message being 10 yrs old was /is a relevant point.

Fingers crossed.

[Terranovafox]

Originally Posted by Terranovafox

Thank you. I, too, noted that before responding. I also PM'd John. That said, the message being 10 yrs old was /is a relevant point.

Fingers crossed.

Update: Turns out my trailer lights are working just fine!! It's my Tow Vehicle that is the culprit. No power coming off the vehicle 7-way. Subbed in another vehicle for an independent check & Voila!! everything lit up like a Christmas tree. Having my vehicle assessed in the a.m. (2023 ascent with OEM Hitch). - The interesting thing: I hooked my vehicle up to our 2010 Scamp 16' and it lit up like a Christmas Tree.... Is the computer in the Ascent not reading the resistance in the Trillium and therefore not sending power to the 7-way?? Very curious.