Trailer brakes and tail lights???

[arlan]

Hey Guys... Today I hooked up my car hauler to tow down to DMV to register for the first time. When I hooked it up and checked lights I thought everything was OK. On pulling out I noticed my brake controler light was not on and indead the trailer brakes did not work. When I got home I hooked the truck to my ATV hauler and my fifth wheel. All three trailers are the same. No tail lights and no brake controller. Does anyone have a place for me to start looking??? Thanks Arlan

 

[Thomas]

Check the ground in truck part of the connection.

 

[arlan]

Thanks. I do that first.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Check the 40 amp fuse under the hood.



Casey

 

[jrollins]

did u hook the controller up using the factory harness or did u hook it up some other way yourself? does the truck brake lights work?

 

[arlan]

I hooked the controller through the factory harness and it has been working for thousands of miles. It worked last week. I have turn signals, and brake lights but not trailer brakes (or light on controller) and no tail lights. This is on the trailer only. The tail lights on the truck work fine along will the other lighting. I have ground at the center prong at the plug. I haven't checked the above mentioned 40 amp fuse. I believe there are several under the hood. I was thinking about replacing the controller but the tail light thing doesn't make sense I stumped!!!

 

[bombero]

Ya, I did that but dont know why. I blew the big time fuse in the box under the hood that said trailer brakes. (I think) Anyway I went to about three Parts houses and none had the fuse. Had to go the the stealer. About 16$

 

[rwitt]

Check the plug on the truck. You said you have ground at the center prong, the ground prong is one of the outside prongs usually labeled #1 White.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Originally posted by arlan

I hooked the controller through the factory harness and it has been working for thousands of miles. It worked last week. I have turn signals, and brake lights but not trailer brakes (or light on controller) and no tail lights. This is on the trailer only. The tail lights on the truck work fine along will the other lighting. I have ground at the center prong at the plug. I haven't checked the above mentioned 40 amp fuse. I believe there are several under the hood. I was thinking about replacing the controller but the tail light thing doesn't make sense I stumped!!!

Check the easy stuff first. That fuse in the electrical panel under the hood is likely gone. It is a square green one. The fuses are identified by a picture under the cover. Start there. If the fuse is not the problem take apart the truck's trailer 7 pin connector and check for corroded or broken connections.



Casey

 

[arlan]

Found it!

Thanks guys... It was the fuse. Funny thing, I looked in the fuse panel first and didn't even see it. I haven't replaced it yet as there isn't a dealer in town. I am in Quartzsite Arizona for the winter riding ATV's and flying Ultralights. Life is rough. Thanks again.

 

[THerman]

arlan,



If I were you I'd spend about 5 mins and check the connector at the trailer plug (on the truck)...



The connector is where the wiring harness connects with the plug... Mine burned up a contact in this connector... caused lots of weird things to happen later... .



But all my trouble started like yours... . I'd also check out the trailer brakes as well... . something caused that fuse to blow... . and they're not cheap.



Tod

 

[arlan]

Tod... . Good point. I'll see if I can fine something out of the ordinary... . Arlan