Trailer Tail Light Wires??

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I am going to use a tester. I have never used a tester.
Do I just connect one leg of the tester to the metal frame to ground it and the other end to a wire and then for example put the blinker on to see if that wire controls the blinker??

Verify with a test LIGHT which has a SHARP POINT to scrape through corrosion or pierce insulation. I used to have lots of V notched broom handle segments cut up for holding wire while I stabbed it.

Cut the wire AHEAD of the stab hole. If the conductor is green, brown or purple instead of new penny copper color, be prepared to scrape wire strands shiny with a utility knife blade. Scraping the tarnish off the copper wire strands is more than worth "the bother".

I love the Chinese color code sensibility. Blue and yellow, Brown and black, purple and gray. And 24 gauge conductor for 12 volt 8 amp power.

TIP: If after doing your best and the lamp still does not seem to work right, blame chassis negative. If the negative is corroded or compromised, it'll turn your turn signals / running lights into a veritable nuthouse. This is a MAJOR fault cause.

westend wrote:
I used to have a better color schedule chart but this page from Etrailer deals with trailer wiring schedule. When I repaired trailers I used a test light or meter on everything, never trusted that wire color was right. In a newer RV I might trust the wire color standard. One good thing about testing with a light or meter is that it may discover any other problems like low voltage or an open.

The link you posted is to E Trailer. The Schematic on that link causes MORE problems on the Internet. That link wiring is totally wrong and not to RV OEM wiring code. Doug( STILL repairing RV's and going on 38 years). PS, just goes to show that the Internet is not always the best place to look for help on some subjects

I used to have a better color schedule chart but this page from Etrailer deals with trailer wiring schedule. When I repaired trailers I used a test light or meter on everything, never trusted that wire color was right. In a newer RV I might trust the wire color standard. One good thing about testing with a light or meter is that it may discover any other problems like low voltage or an open.

Joe417 wrote:
I don't think any of them go by a standard.

My wiring is:

Brown - right turn / brake
Green - running
red - left turn / brake
yellow - backup
white - ground

USA built trailers DO go by a Standard. What you posted is the standard. Where people get confused is when they look a Boat/Utility 4 wire flat plugs. Those have their own code which is different from RV trailers. Doug
4 wire flat
Brown- running
Green--RT
YELLOW---LT
White --Ground

Per my experience - RV manufacturers use any scrap materials for building they can find on the market.
When trailers plugs do have codes for function, internal RV wiring does not.
Get the darn $2 test light.

I don't think any of them go by a standard.

My wiring is:

Brown - right turn / brake
Green - running
red - left turn / brake
yellow - backup
white - ground

johntank wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
Green is Turn signal
Black is Brake Light
White is ground
Doug

I don't think you are right for you don't have a wire for running/tail lights.

Will go with this,

Green - brake/turn signal
Black - running/tail light
White - ground wire

You are correct I was wrong. Your post wiring is NOT correct. Had Brain f##t. See my 2nd corrected first post. Doug

dougrainer wrote:
Green is Turn signal
Black is Brake Light
White is ground
Doug

I don't think you are right for you don't have a wire for running/tail lights.

Will go with this,

Green - brake/turn signal
Black - running/tail light
White - ground wire

filrupmark wrote:
Testlight or volt meter is your best bet.

X1000000000

Get a test light and learn how to use it.

Chris