2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission another electrical question... trailer

[BigEasy]

Every time I use my buddy's trailer, I blow a 40A fuse in the underhood PDC. The running lights on the truck still work though, but not in the trailer wiring. I first noticed the problem when I put on my Line-Of-Fire LEDs under the tailgate. I also noticed that now the backup lights on my truck aren't working either.



No-one else that uses the trailer ever has a problem. WTF!?!



Is Chrysler's electrical dept a bunch of waterheads? I had similar problems on my Wrangler every time I hitched up a trailer.

 

[DonTX]

I would suggest that the trailer is not wired by the standard wire positions that your truck is wired for. Please allow me to jump on this thread with more questions though. I was out today looking my newly acquired truck over, and in the power distribution center box is a relay titled "trailer". I looked up my Cheesy Chiltons and it don't show such a relay (or wiring), I have no factory svc manual yet.

I would guess that this relay powers 12v trailer supply to the trailer plug, only when the ignition switch in turned on?? Surely don't control the lights and stuff, does it?

I am beginning to think the 3500 at least came factory with a trailer plug, since I can see no indication one has been scarfed into the wiring.

Anybody with some knowledge here?

 

[BigEasy]

Don, I thought the same thing about his trailer wiring, but no-one else ever has a problem when they use it. All their trucks are Chevys, but the wiring should be the same, correct?



I have a dealership service manual, but when it comes to electrical diagrams, they might as well be in Swahili! I'm as confused as a dog hearing his owner's voice on the answering machine when he's not home... :-laf

 

[DonTX]

I do know that Dodge uses the standard Bargman diagram, and do know that Ford uses the same thing, units interchange between those two.

 

[duckcarvr]

since wiring and i are not compatable i'm not sure this will help but... ... i had a problem on my 7. 3 ford that everytime i towed at night for very long it would burn out my headlight switch. after three i took it in and they put in a relay that let my headlight switch activate the trailer lights and then they would draw power from another source. robert

 

[DonTX]

Well, I THINK maybe that is what the "trailer relay" that comes from the factory on my 97 at least, does. No one seems to know what it is there for, what it does, and when it does it, and as I said, my Cheezy Chiltons don't even mention it. .