Running lights not working

[scappoose]

I just purchased a 2000 Coleman Sedona and am towing it with a '99 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer.  The vehicle and trailer have the seven pin connector.  All the lights work on the trailer but the running lights (when I turn the Expedition lights on no lights come on on the trailer).

I am pretty sure the error is in the Expedition as I seem to recall towing some jet skis a couple of years ago and the running lights not working on the trailer (but thought it was trailers fault).

Any ideas on how to troubleshoot this problem?  Is there an easy fix?

Thank you in advance for your replies!

[mike4947]

Well in about 97% of "light problems" it comes down to the 7 pin connector hanging down below the TV bumper. Remember it sits there 24/7/365 without in most cases any maintenance. They haven't made one in 30 years that I know of that sooner or later won't "crud up" and short out.

The solution is to buy some contact cleaner and dielectric grease. The contact cleaner will remove and dirt and corrosion and the dielectric grease will help prevent reoccurances. Then add the connector to your yearly maintenance schedule along with the brakes and wheel bearings on the trailer.

[flyfisherman]

When you say "all" the trailer lights work except the running lights, are you sure the trailer tail lights are not working, too? Now, don't mean the turn or stop lights, but the regular tail lights that go on with the running lights. (IF) the tail lights do not work, then your set-up might be about the same as this schematic I'm looking at right now. As you look at the truck end connector and consider the top to be 12 o'clock, then the tail light pin would be at 7 o'clock and the wire to it would be green. On the trailer end connector, the tail light would be at 5 0'clock and green wired also. Of course, anytime your messing with 6 & 12 volt systems, always good to have a circuit tester, and they are not that expensive. Might sometime save your sanity! I always suspect a ground problem when confronted with a problem like you have described, but not always does it turn out that the ground is the culprit; you might start by making sure the connectors are free from corrosion and none of the wires have not come lose.

One other point, every season I always apply an electrical dielectric compound to these connectors as it helps insulate the wiring connectors, seal out the moisture and help prevent corrosion.

Let us know what turns up.


Fly

[mach8274]

I used to work for a Ford dealer as a technician. When a Ford truck with a tow package was purchased new, it was the owners responsibility to install the brake controller harness(if your trailer is so equipped), and 2 fuses in the fuse block under the hood. One fuse was for the trailer brakes and the other was for the trailer running lights. If you still have the vehicles owners manual, it will tell you which fuses to check and replace if necessary. Just look in the index for "FUSES".

Hope this helps-good luck

Dave

[zamboni]

Looking at my new 23B manual's 2-wire harness diagram, which I'd assume is standard...

Running lights are a separate wire from others.



In the above picture:
A = blue (brakes)
B=Brown (stop & right turn)
C=black (interior 12-v lighting)
D=green (running lights)
E= red (stop & left turn
F=white (ground... or is it neutral?)
G = yellow (back up)