Need (quick) tail light/signal light solution...

[firefly72]

Hi...we are hooked up and ready to leave in the morning.  Unfortunately our left signal light and brake light are out, the tail light is working.  We are not handy people at all...but tried a few things: took the bulb out and put it back in, tapped it a few times while the blinker was on, sprayed a little WD-40 into the plug in the TV, finally went to Wal Mart and bought a new bulb.  Still no luck.  Any ideas?

[wavery]

Before I waste a lot of time.....do you own a test light or a multi meter?

Also, how many pins is your trailer plug?

What is the make of your TV?

[firefly72]

No test light.  

I believe the plug is a 7 pin (hope that is right...without running back out in the dark)

The TV is a Jeep Liberty.

...I'm off to check the plug...

[Jestercat]

Hi...we are hooked up and ready to leave in the morning.  Unfortunately our left signal light and brake light are out, the tail light is working.  We are not handy people at all...but tried a few things: took the bulb out and put it back in, tapped it a few times while the blinker was on, sprayed a little WD-40 into the plug in the TV, finally went to Wal Mart and bought a new bulb.  Still no luck.  Any ideas?

Check the voltage coming from your TV at the plug.  Use a voltmeter between the left turn signal pin and ground while the turn signal is on.  If you get a pulsing voltage (the meter needle swings back and forth) then the problem is in your trailer wiring somewhere.  If it doesn't, then the problem might be at the TV end.  Or try with the brake pedal depressed.  If the voltmeter shows a strong steady signal, then the problem is at the trailer end.

I'd also check to see if the socket is grounded properly.  Check the continuity between socket and somewhere on the trailer frame. Could be the socket is getting power, but no ground to complete the circuit.

Could be corrosion in the socket itself, allowing it to ground out without lighting the bulb.

Hope this helps.  I'm here all night (working) so let me know if I can help any more.

[firefly72]

ok...don't laugh at me (told you I wasn't handy)-there are 6 pins around the circle and then the center "prong"...not sure if that is a 6 pin or 7 pin.

[wavery]

ok...don't laugh at me (told you I wasn't handy)-there are 6 pins around the circle and then the center "prong"...not sure if that is a 6 pin or 7 pin.

That's a 7 pin. However, if you have no test equipment, all you can do is pull the plug apart and make all of the connections are tight. It would save a lot of time if you could go to a neighbor and borrow a test light.

Electrical problems can be difficult to diagnose but without any tools all you can do is guess and that could be very time consuming.

[Jestercat]

ok...don't laugh at me (told you I wasn't handy)-there are 6 pins around the circle and then the center "prong"...not sure if that is a 6 pin or 7 pin.

No laughter.  This is serious.  LOL :p

What you have there is a 7 pin Bargeman plug.  Same as most.

[firefly72]

ok guys...thanks anyway!  Sounds like this problem is too advanced for us ...and going to the neighbors at 11:00 pm may not be the best idea  

Guess we will have to tow like this-just have to be VERY careful- and have it looked at when we return.

[wavery]

Maybe you should check with one of my neighbors.......It's only 8:PM here. :p

One common problem is with the bulb socket itself.

Make sure that the trailer is unplugged....... If there is any corrosion in the socket, scrape it out with a screwdriver or knife.  At the bottom of the socket are 2 little connectors. They are on a spring loaded base. Squirt some of your WD40 in there and work that base up & down to be sure that it is coming up and touching the base of the bulb, when it is installed. Clean those little connectors also. Then take a pair of pliers and squeeze the socket just a little, to be sure that the bulb fits in tight. One other thing is to take your new bulb and put it in the socket on the other side to be sure that it works. Deffective new bulbs are not uncommon. (plug the harness back in).

If that doesn't work, it's a matter of finding where you have an open circuit.

[harleywolf]

I assume that the brake and blinker are working on your Jeep but not the PUP, if so then your issue is most likely at the plug itself or with the PUP.

You have a 7 pin plug, it should be an actual spade type plug vs. a pin type. At the plug on your Jeep try bending the little flat spade connectors in slightly, this could improve a faulty connection. If this doesn