The subject pretty much sums it up. While camping we drove up to the camper, An '01 keystone 235rr hybrid toy hauler, and the running lights were on. Today I went to my range where I keep it for teaching pistol classes and one of the tail lights was on. I don't disconnect the battery since I use the camper at least once a week for classes on top of taking the family camping. I turned off the main power on the converter and it stopped charging off the gen but the light stayed on. i am going to call Keystone in the am and see if I can get a schematic, I have the manual for the camper but it's not very specific as far as wiring goes. The 12 v lighter plug also stopped working. I don't know if they have anything in common but I thought I'd mention it. Any ideas? Thank you very much.Chris

I had a strange anomaly like that while camping by myself out in the boonies. In my case, it turned out to be badly grounded taillights. Why that would make the running lights come on I cannot say...I only stumbled on that solution through trial and error. A new, solid ground solved the problem.

I have a 5er that I can put a jumper on my hook up that goes to my truck while disconnected and all the running lights will stay on. So I suspect it is in the wiring plug that hooks up to your truck.

Moved from Forum Technical Support

Your got a short or cross connection going. Check the 7 way trailer side male plug. If it is a molded unit -is it damaged or deformed? If a replaceable type check the inside for lose connections or wire whiskers cross connecting.Next stop would be the junction box on the trailer that the RV 7 way lead cord originates. Check for the same loose or cross connected situation... Beyond that it is a tedious one piece at a time troubleshooting process.Don't think it is a "ground" only side problem as the circuit has to be energized from some source.

Thanks a lot for the input. Hopefully I will be able to get out there on Tues and see if I can figure it out. I'll start with the plug and work my way back. I'll let you know what I find out.

Running/ tail light(s) coming on when truck isn't hooked up

16 Replies

BobWanderer
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
Winterwolf227 wrote:
I want to be able ot turn on my Tail/Running lights while parked and NOT attached to my truck. Can I run a pigtail with a wire from Port 3 to port 4> Will that work? I have seen it done at RV shows and wondering if it will work the same way?

I used a flasher and a circuit breaker and a plastic electrical box to make the brake lights flash. But it would be just as easy to make the running lights flash with the setup.
I don't have it here since its in storage right now or I would show some pics.

You get the power from #4 and then to the breaker and then to the flasher, then to #5 & #6 in my setup.
352
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
Winterwolf227 wrote:
I want to be able ot turn on my Tail/Running lights while parked and NOT attached to my truck. Can I run a pigtail with a wire from Port 3 to port 4> Will that work? I have seen it done at RV shows and wondering if it will work the same way?

3 to 4 will do it. But go to an auto parts place and get a fusible link for three or four dollars for your jumper.
Winterwolf227
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
I want to be able ot turn on my Tail/Running lights while parked and NOT attached to my truck. Can I run a pigtail with a wire from Port 3 to port 4> Will that work? I have seen it done at RV shows and wondering if it will work the same way?
mapguy
Explorer
Jul 18, 2013
Fixed Sight Training wrote:
The diagram did show up this time. Tbank you.

I guess that loose nut was completing the circuit as it was rattling around. I don't have backup lights so it doesn't matter but I do need to plug the hole to keep the water out. I didn't know what the center post was for so I didn't put it together, just brought it home. I have another class on Friday, I'll put it back together and test it then.

Thanks again for all the help.

Chris

Time to get a new male connector. Having a hole into the area of wire termination is asking for future headaches again. A replacement should be available at any auto parts store for around $10-15.
Fixed_Sight_Tra
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013
The diagram did show up this time. Tbank you.

I guess that loose nut was completing the circuit as it was rattling around. I don't have backup lights so it doesn't matter but I do need to plug the hole to keep the water out. I didn't know what the center post was for so I didn't put it together, just brought it home. I have another class on Friday, I'll put it back together and test it then.

Thanks again for all the help.

Chris
Fixed_Sight_Tra
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013
Francesca,
Thank you very much for the info but the diagram didn't show up. I would like very much to see it if you could try to repost I would appreciate it.

I was out at the range today and checked it out. I took the plug apart and there was an elongated nut that looks like it is supposed to be the center post rattling around the terminals. It looks like it's held in place by a bolt or something which also conneccts to the center post of the connector on the truck. I am going to have to look at another one to see what came out or if it just makes a ground with the truck's ground.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013
I'll try again...if you can't see it this time, it's at the bottom of the page at this link.

Note: yours could be different- best to establish what's what with a tester!
Fixed_Sight_Tra
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013
Francesca,
Thank you very much for the info but the diagram didn't show up. I would like very much to see it if you could try to repost I would appreciate it.

I'll be heading out to the range tomorrow so I hope to check it out after I get done working.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
Fixed Sight Training wrote:
The weird part is it's not all the running lights and tail lights. Camping it was just the running lights and yesterday just the right tail light was on.

Weird that it's different combos- maybe the "charge" going there is just too weak to light them all up?

But since they're all on the same circuit:

I posted earlier speculating about ground, but now tend to agree with those who advise that the problem may lie with the pigtail- especially since it sounds like this only happens when the rig's unplugged.

As you can see from the below diagram, tail/running lights are directly adjacent to the charge line in most connections. That line is "hot" from the battery when the rig's unplugged. When connected to the tug those poles are well separated, but when unplugged contact may be occurring somehow between those poles.
Fixed_Sight_Tra
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
The weird part is it's not all the running lights and tail lights. Camping it was just the running lights and yesterday just the right tail light was on.