running lights/tail lights not working

[limbery]

I just had my TT out for the weekend and although my brake and signal lights work fine, I noticed that when the TV's headlights come on, I don't have any of my top running lights nor tail lights working....I don't usually drive at night anyway and that's why it took awhile to even notice this....Would there be a fuse in the TV?...I checked the panel in the trailer and none seem to be labled as running lights etc....

[anaro]

hddecker wrote:

anaro wrote:
Yes you can unplug and blow on the connections and try plugging in again. Then test the output from the truck to see if you have power coming out at the pig tail receiver (7 pin connector) if you have power coming out for all pins then the fuse or tv is not the issue. Then you need to be looking at the tt.

Isn't there a ground in there? I think you only have power six terminals. http://rvbasics.com/techtips/rv-travel-trailer-plug-wiring.html

How long have the lights been out? This should have been caught as soon as it happened. Just because you usually tow during the day doesn't preclude you from doing a pre-trip every morning.

I'm sure the CVS would just love to have you roll up to a safety check.

Maybe you would like to refresh your knowledge of the "towing a trailer" handbook, before it costs you dollars, points, increased insurance.

You are correct, I had a little brain fry last night.

[limbery]

Thanks for all these suggestions I'll be acting upon them....

[chevor]

First thing I would try is with a Flat screw driver push in the pins on the trailer plug to make a tighter connection when plug back into the truck.

[shenandoahvalle]

As a retired heavy truck owner I think it is important to do a pre-trip walkaround before every trip. I always give the hitch ball a little squirt of WD40 prior to hitching. I rarely have trouble with the TT but occasionally my utility trailers will act up. Most times it is an inadequate ground connection solved by reattaching the plug or cleaning any rust or debris off the hitch ball.

[RoyB]

I carry one of these 7-WAY TEST ADAPTERS in my RV TOOL BOX. It helps knowing for sure whether the problem is on the TRUCK side or the TRAILER side. This is available from ETRAILER and AMAZON...



I also squirt some WD-40 into the 7-way connector on the truck side and move the trailer plug around back and forth some everytime I hookup.

Its very important to me to have my safety lights and Electric Brakes working on my trailer before I get on the public highways. I do my walk-around the trailer with parking lights ON and the emergency flashers going checking all the lights when I first hook-up and when I first pull out towing my trailer I will stop the trailer at the first stop sign I come to using the BRAKE MANUAL SLIDER lever to stop the trailer and truck. On my Ford truck the brake pedal control for my trailer electric brakes is disengaged by the truck computer system when the speedometer is below 10MPH so I have to use the BRAKE MANUAL SLIDER LEVER to apply trailers brakes.

Roy Ken

[hddecker]

anaro wrote:
Yes you can unplug and blow on the connections and try plugging in again. Then test the output from the truck to see if you have power coming out at the pig tail receiver (7 pin connector) if you have power coming out for all pins then the fuse or tv is not the issue. Then you need to be looking at the tt.

Isn't there a ground in there? I think you only have power six terminals. http://rvbasics.com/techtips/rv-travel-trailer-plug-wiring.html

How long have the lights been out? This should have been caught as soon as it happened. Just because you usually tow during the day doesn't preclude you from doing a pre-trip every morning.

I'm sure the CVS would just love to have you roll up to a safety check.

Maybe you would like to refresh your knowledge of the "towing a trailer" handbook, before it costs you dollars, points, increased insurance.

[anaro]

Yes you can unplug and blow on the connections and try plugging in again. Then test the output from the truck to see if you have power coming out at the pig tail receiver (7 pin connector) if you have power coming out for all pins then the fuse or tv is not the issue. Then you need to be looking at the tt.

[opnspaces]

Start with the easy things first. Turn on the tow vehicle lights then wiggle and jiggle the umbilical plug while watching the lights on the trailer. If they so much as flicker, even a teeny tiny bit, your fuses are good and you have a connection problem at the plug.

[handye9]

limbery wrote:
TV is 2013 buick enclave...

Here's a link to an owners manual for 2013 Enclave.

Pages 10-28 thru 10-31 cover the engine compartment fuse block. There are seperate fuses for trailer brake, running lights, turn signals, etc.

[limbery]

TV is 2013 buick enclave...

[enblethen]

Yes, depending on make and model of TV there is fuses for each function in the trailer connector.
Many are located under the hood in the fuse block on driver's side wheel well.
Make and model of TV would help.