Turn Signals, Brake Lites and Trailer Brakes Failed

[DMerryman]

PROBLEM SOLVED---Turn Signals, Brake Lites and Trailer Brakes Failed

PROBLEM SOLVED, SEE BELOW... .....



Hooked up my trailer today and as I was driving away, I checked the operation of my trailer brakes before getting on to freeway. For some reason they would not grab. I tried adjusting the Tekonsha controller and could not get a fix, amber light indication. I did not have the adjustment instructions with me, so I took it home slow, 20 miles. Turn signals worked before leaving. Did not check brake lights, leg is not long enough.



Half way home I came to a stop light, applying the brakes and turn signals, the turn signal started to blink really fast then shut off. I pulled over checked the obvious connections and all seemed fine. I disconnected the trailer hook-up to the truck and still no turn signal nor brake lights. All other electrical works fine, Running lights on trailer, head lights, parking lights, lighter, dome light, radio, etc. . all OK. Checked all fuses in cab and under hood and they are fine as well.



Wiring harness? Or has someone experienced this same problem? I just recently had this setup installed [11/09/01] and am hoping that the splicing into my wire harness was done correctly. We just had our first rains out here and I'm wondering how long I have gone without brake lights?



Any help would be apprecaited. I'll be under the truck tomorrow.



Doug M.



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PROBLEM SOLVED:



After looking a little closer, the #4 Slot [Hazard] in the under hood fuse box showed a 20 amp fuse blown. Replaced fuse with a 20 amp and all is fine. I spoke with my mechanic, Dodge Boy, and he explained that the local city purchased the same truck as mine and with the additional yellow flashing lights installed for the city truck, they kept blowing the same fuse. He upgraded to 40 amp rating to their fuse box and haven't had a problem since.



Moral of the story, carry extra fuses, flash-lite and a magnfying glass. These new rectangular fuses that are being used are very hard to see a burnt element. Certainly with these ole' eyes.



Hopefully not to be continued. .



Doug M.

 

[David Muench]

Bad ground? If the ground wire isn't working right, the trailer won't always ground properly through the ball.

 

[RustyJC]

Could certainly be a bad ground, but let me give you another possibility. I was getting a "connected" signal from my Jordan brake controller with nothing plugged into the 7-pin connector! Turned out that the plug assembly back at the factory hitch receiver was full of water and crud. I took it apart, cleaned it out, put it back together with lots of dielectric grease, and no more problems. These factory 7-pin receiver plugs are not weatherproofed worth a darn, and if they get full of water and gunk, they can short across circuits and make some very wierd things happen!



Rusty

 

[CharlieMiller]

Rusty - Thanks for the info I think I need to waterproof mine now before a problem crops up.

 

[Snow man]

My GMC did the same thing,the green connected light lit up on the controller,with no trailer,the blue #2 lin is the brake controller terminal in the seven pin connector,for some reason this one corrodes all the time,and not the others.