need help re turn signal lights

[sandykayak]

I had a hitch receiver installed on the new TV by U-Haul but the rear turn signal lights don't seem to be working right.  Once they didn't blink at all and then they did slightly.

Can I rule out that it could be a problem with the U-Haul installation and assume that I probably need a new bulb?

If so, how do I get the @###** red plastic cover off an '02 Jayco Qwest 8U?

I tried gently and am scared to screw it up.

Now, if i change the bulb and still have a problem where can I take it to that can look at the wiring...today is wed and i'm heading away on sat for the holiday weekend.   I'm in Miami, Fla.

thanks

[SkipP]

I had a hitch receiver installed on the new TV by U-Haul but the rear turn signal lights don't seem to be working right. Once they didn't blink at all and then they did slightly.
 
Can I rule out that it could be a problem with the U-Haul installation and assume that I probably need a new bulb?
 
If so, how do I get the @###** red plastic cover off an '02 Jayco Qwest 8U?
 
I tried gently and am scared to screw it up.
 
Now, if i change the bulb and still have a problem where can I take it to that can look at the wiring...today is wed and i'm heading away on sat for the holiday weekend. I'm in Miami, Fla.
 
thanks

First thing that comes to mind here is a poor ground between the TV and the pop-up. Should be easy enough to check...just take a jumper wire and attach it to bare metal on the TV and on the camper then try the lights again. Any garage should be able to trouble shoot this for you but I'd take it back to U-Haul and let them prove it wasn't their installation thats causing the problem.
 
Good luck!

[Rustyone]

Sandy I'm just guessing here but you might want to try a new flasher unit.  It usually just plugs into your fuse box under the dashboard of the TV or in the glovebox on some makes.  Thing only costs about 5.00.  Ask the parts guy if they make a heavy duty unit for your vehicle.  Usually if a bulb is burned out your signals on that side won't work at all.  If all else fails take it up with the guys that installed the thing!  Hey! It worked before you brought it in!  My money's on the flasher unit.  Good Luck!

[sandykayak]

Thanks, you REALLY do think I understand what you are saying, don't you?

From Skip's:  what and where is a jumper wire?

From Rusty:  which parts guy?  like i go to a Pepboys sort of place?

looks as if i SHOULD take it to U-Haul...at least they will have someone who will know what the hell it's all about.

[ForestCreature]

Thanks, you REALLY do think I understand what you are saying, don't you?
 
  From Skip's:  what and where is a jumper wire?
 
  From Rusty:  which parts guy?  like i go to a Pepboys sort of place?
 
  looks as if i SHOULD take it to U-Haul...at least they will have someone who will know what the hell it's all about.

 I'm not Skip but we both have dark hair A jumper wire is just a loose piece of wire that has both ends stripped. As far as where to stick it, that's a loaded question .

[garym053]

If Your turn signals on the trailer worked fine with the old TV, and your New TV turn signals worked before you went to Uhaul, I would take it back to them and make them fix it! Why waste your time, effort and money when this is very likely their fault! (and in the unlikely event that it isn't their fault, they have or should have all the tools and knowledge to diagnose it)

Good luck!

[SkipP]

Hmmmmmm, I hope you have this worked out already! What Rusty says (and I hadn't considered) makes a lot of sense. A lower amperage flasher might just be the problem. If the stock flasher doesn't have the capacity to carry the vehicle AND the camper, you'd see a weak signal.

A jumper, as Marcy said, is simply a wire with stripped ends. If it were grounded to bare metal on both ends (car and camper), it would tell you if there was a grounding issue or not.
 
The best scenario is that you got to go camping and, when you came home, you were able to tell us what the fix was!

[sandykayak]

the bestest scenario is that i haven't gone camping yet but the problem is fixed!!

as i was driving to my friend's house to pick up the popup, i saw a guy doing something to the tire of his boat trailer.  turns out he was greasing it and i asked if i could watch....

(think: Mark Twain/Tom Sawyer and fence painting...) the young man's dad came out and i happened to mention by turn signal problem.

next thing the dad popped off the plastic cover (showing me how to do it)...pulled out the bulb after noticing that there was a slight flash occasionally) did not have the same size in his garage but used some sandpaper to help the contact.  he said one of the little "heads" on the top of the bulb was worn and probably not making good contact.

i went to an autoparts/pep boys place, managed (with difficulty) to get the bulb out.  bought a pack of two for $3.88 and asked the employee who was walking out if he would help me.  

just as well, cos i couldn't wiggle it in....  we then pushed up the metal plate so contact as made and VOILA!!!

i felt like King Richard III who said "A nail, a nail, my kingdom for a nail."  (or something like that.  It was for his horse's shoe).

all that fuss for a lousy little light bulb.   well, i learned more.  

I also learned that the cap on my wheels that was super hard to pry off should ideally be replaced with one that has a hole so you can just put the hose from the grease gun and just squeeze.   i wonder if camping world has 'em...

now if someone could explain and teach me how to pack the bearings or whatever........

[Dee4j]

yeah!!! I had a similar problem but the 7 pin connector on the PU had to be replaced