Forum Discussion

Baja_Man's avatar
Baja_Man
Explorer
Dec 23, 2015

Trailer lights - Need Assistance

I plugged in my trailer plug to truck receptacle. All lights work correctly except for the right rear taillight that I just replaced. The wires appear to be reversed. When running lights are on the stop (brighter filament)light is on making that taillight brighter than the other one.

I did replace the tail light housing and lens but there are only three wires (brown for running lights, Green for stop/turn, and white for ground. I even put the old housing back obn to check and still does not correct problem.

I also hooked up my boat to see if truck receptacle was wired OK and the lights work perfect.

I can't recall if the lights worked OK before since I only trailered once for a few miles.

If I reverse the brown and green wires at tailight, all works well. Not sure if that is the correct solution.

Help!!!

Thanks
  • Also, is it OK to not connect center wire which is for reverse lights, since my 5er has no reverse lights
  • bulb can not be reversed as stated by enblethen, although switching wires does solve problem, but that is not a correct fix
  • left and right handed lights. You must have gotten one for the other side. ;) Really, the filaments in the bulb are different. One os for the running lights, the other is brighter and is used for the brake lights. If it works connected as you refer to as reversed, close it up and leave it alone.
  • Are you meaning wires reversed on trailer plug? I did replace that from pin hole to blade style. But I recall all was well when I tested it.

    I'm assuming that my truck receptacle is correct since my boat lights work perfect on the same receptacle.

    What would be reversed on trailer plug?
  • Wire connection reversed.
    A standard 1157 should not seat properly if reversed as the alignment pins are staggered.
  • Had that happen once, turned replacement bulb 180 degrees, then it was O K. Might see if that is possible! But don't force it.