No brake or external lights

[newtorving70]

Hi all,

We are new to RVing and so far it has been a little hectic. The pigtail was severed while turning around, no biggie, the wires were spliced back together and everything was working fine. I hooked up to it this morning and had no brake or driving lights. All the fuses and splice job looks good. Anyone have any ideas on why all of a sudden the brake lights are inoperable? Thank you in advance for any input.

[Bobbo]

RoyB wrote:
I use one these TEST PLUGS at the truck side to determine if my problems are with the trailer (wiring) or the truck (blown fuses etc)... Keeps me from having to runaround in circles for an hour or two testing things...

I carry both the 7-way and the 4-pin TEST Adapters... I got mine from AMAZON but ETRAILER.com and many local auto parts places may carry them as well...

I would only repair a damaged trailer cable to get back home on and then order a complete exact replacement from AMAZON or ETRAILER. SAFETY LIGHT and TRAILER BRAKES are high on my function list. My truck has three different locations for FUSES...



We found out right away anytime you leave your house you have to start accounting for all of the PLAN Bs... The really good guys always has a great PLAN-B already figured out...

Roy Ken

Me too. But I bought this one because it has both 7 pin and 4 pin on the same tester.

Northern Tools 7pin/4pin tester

[westend]

Umbilical pinched or cut while connected to a Ford. Check for blown fuses at vehicle's inside fuse panel. Your owner's manual should list the fuse locations for trailer lights.

[Ozlander]

No lights sounds like a ground problem. Play with the plug, maybe spray it with WD-40.
Check the ground on the frame.

[newtorving70]

Thanks for all the info. I will buy a new pig tail this afternoon. Will post remedy once found, thanks again.

[Kit_Carson]

Check for bad ground.

[enblethen]

Many Fords have the fuses for the trailer connector. Look in the owner's manual for location.

[RoyB]

I use one these TEST PLUGS at the truck side to determine if my problems are with the trailer (wiring) or the truck (blown fuses etc)... Keeps me from having to runaround in circles for an hour or two testing things...

I carry both the 7-way and the 4-pin TEST Adapters... I got mine from AMAZON but ETRAILER.com and many local auto parts places may carry them as well...

I would only repair a damaged trailer cable to get back home on and then order a complete exact replacement from AMAZON or ETRAILER. SAFETY LIGHT and TRAILER BRAKES are high on my function list. My truck has three different locations for FUSES...



We found out right away anytime you leave your house you have to start accounting for all of the PLAN Bs... The really good guys always has a great PLAN-B already figured out...

Roy Ken

[newtorving70]

The same tow vehicle is being used, 2006 Ford Expedition. All brake lights and turn signals are working on the truck. I really appreciate all the info.

[midnightsadie]

get a test meter start at the truck, on these newer trucks there some times more than one fuse.

[enblethen]

Some tow vehicles have fuses to protect the trailer connector.
Make and model of tow vehicle?
There also could be unseen or repaired damage at the splice location.

[newtorving70]

Thanks Rocky, I'm beginning to believe I need to buy a spare everything.

[rockylarson]

Perhaps when the cable severed it stressed the connections at one or both ends. Borrow or buy another cable and see if that works. If so you can repair the original and keep it as a spare. BTDT Good Luck