Electrical Issues with Trailer

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by jnazars, Dec 16, 2012.

  1. jnazars

    jnazars Bobtail Member

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    Jun 9, 2010
    Belleville, MI
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    I might have this in the wrong thread, if so, I apologize. I'm having an issue with a trailer I've been pulling around for some time and I'm certain it's only this trailer that's doing it because it's not occurring with other trailers. I also disconnected the pig tail and there's no problems until I plug it back in. Its possible it could be the pig tail but I'm not having the problem with any other trailer though. Every time it rains, I loose the trailer lights. It trips about FOUR of the breakers that control all of the lights on the trailer. I reset the breakers and poof, 4 seconds latter it does it again. The breakers are also scorching hot. I write the trailer up. By the time the shop gets around to it, the trailer drys out, everything works and they think I'm nuts afterwards. This time I just left the breakers tripped. The frustrating part of it all is I had to shut down 30 miles from home yesterday and had to wait until morning to head home because I didn't want to risk getting nailed by driving it at night. I don't know if anyone has any ideas or solutions. Its a dedicated account/trailer for this account so there's no way to get rid of it and refuse to take it when its assigned to me. It's an automotive account and has all of there racks on it.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2012
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  3. Smellfunny

    Smellfunny Road Train Member

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    Jan 28, 2012
    South Carolina
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    Ah the good old electrical issue. All you can do is start tracing wires. I usually remove the lights from the rear of the trailer and inspect for any rubbed wires. Check any connections that may occur in the wiring harnesses. Then you may have an issue with the pig tail receptacle. Electrical issues can be difficult to find at times. Good luck.

    But basically you have a short somewhere.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2012
  4. flc120

    flc120 Heavy Load Member

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    Jul 11, 2012
    Miami,FL (yeah i know :( )
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    also check the hanging hoses and wires from the sliding tandem if you had something fly up and hit them or maybe some rubbing, but yeah you definetly have a short.
     
  5. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    If it only happens when the trailer gets wet, if it is dry and working, you could spray down sections of the trailer one at a time to see where the area the problem is.
     
  6. aktundratugger

    aktundratugger Light Load Member

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    Feb 10, 2012
    up on the hill, Ak
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    good idea heavyd, i had the same thing and finally found it in the factory harness that connects all the tail lights together, the molded block of rubber/plastic that the wires come out of had a short inside of it. that might help.
     
  7. bender

    bender Road Train Member

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    Jul 20, 2010
    Don't Kid Yourself
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    I use an old trailer cord (pigtail) with a plug on one end to plug into the trailer and the plug removed from the other end and ring terminals installed on the wires to connect to a battery. Then hose the trailer down and you will see steam at the point of the shorted wiring. We call it smoking them out!
     
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