No trailer lights

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by FAP, Jan 27, 2013.

  1. FAP

    FAP Light Load Member

    81
    13
    Oct 14, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    0
    Hi, just realized I dont have trailer lights on the side of the trailer. Tail lights are ok (night lamps, hazards, brake lights). No markers in the middle, plate light and all the lights on the side of the trailer are out all the way to the front including the front lights on a trailer. Now when you have lights out like that it usually means you have a blown fuse. But After checking my fuses it appears fuses are ok. What is the next step? Wires? Truck? Trailer? Notice, I just got that trailer and it is like brand new almost
     
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  3. RedPete95

    RedPete95 Light Load Member

    176
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    Feb 5, 2009
    Erie, PA
    0
    check your pigtail
     
  4. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    May 19, 2011
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    Your truck might be running power to the trailer thru relays, not fuses, check those as well. Get a test light and start checking the plug on the tractor for power, if all is good there go to the end of the pigtail and check for power there. If that all checks out good, pull the receptacle off the front of the trailer and look for loose, corroded, or broken wires. Just because it is almost like new does not mean it can't be the problem.
     
  5. FAP

    FAP Light Load Member

    81
    13
    Oct 14, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    0
    oscar, dumb question: step 2 in troubleshooting.

    I know how to deal with fuses (replaced them before). tried different pigtail. same story. I'm in on Iowa 80 do they have receptacle boxes and stuff? now I have a testing light with two needles. how do I exactly test receptacle box on a trailer and one on a tractor afterwards?
     
  6. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    Where your pigtail plugs into the tractor, unplug it and lift up the cover, there are pins in there. Take your test light and ground it to your frame on the truck, turn all your lights on and see which pins have power and which ones don't, your trailer might have a diagram on it to show you which pins are for what.
     
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  7. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Feb 4, 2009
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    You can check real quick if the problem is in the truck or trailer by testing for power at the trailer cord with your test light. Check with it disconnected and the lights on. This picture sucks, but it was the best I could find. The black wire is normally your tail lights, brown are the clearance markers.
     

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  8. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    May 19, 2011
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    Always check the source of the power first, meaning the tractor, then work your way back from there. I had a problem very similar to yours a while back, ended up being a corroded wire on the back side of the receptacle on the tractor.
     
  9. FAP

    FAP Light Load Member

    81
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    Oct 14, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    0
    hheavy d. thanks for info. strick drop deck vans usually have pic by the receptacle box. this transcraft stepdeck doesn't. I tested pins the way you guys told me. 1 is ground and from 1 to the rest of the pins. appears pins 2 and 6 are malfunctioning . can I fix it myself? and what exactly I have to do? I can buy a new receptacle here. thanks
     
  10. FAP

    FAP Light Load Member

    81
    13
    Oct 14, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    0
    I did what you guys told me. connected from pin 1 (ground) to the rest of the pins. Appears pin 2 and 6 are malfunctioning. Can I repair this myself and what exactly I have to do?

    Thanks
     
  11. RedPete95

    RedPete95 Light Load Member

    176
    39
    Feb 5, 2009
    Erie, PA
    0
    Pull the boot back and check for corrosion. I kept losing my brake lights turns out the plug on my deckplate box was all green. Replaced it and everything works better and sees to be a bit brighter too.
     
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