Trailer Lights

[whiteman]

I've got a boat trailer and a 6x4 trailer. Of course the lights don't work properly on either, one has brake lights and not blinkers and the other has no right side lights. But if I fiddle with the connector "just so" some of the lights are OK but the slightest vibration stuffs this.

Is there an easy way to test the connection on the car to find the problem? I use a 7 pin "flat" which is common in NSW.

Does anyone have a diagram of what each pin hole represents?

[Big_Kev]

Whiteman if you go to supacheap and buy a new plug for the trailer(old plug probably stuffed or the screws are rusted), you will find that it has a listing ion the package for numbers wich relate to the colours of wire.
The plug will have numbers moulded near the screw hole to plug the wires in for the corresponding number.
All you will need is a screwdriver and a set of pliers to strip the plastic from the wire.
All the best Kev.

[aido]

sounds like you need a new plug at the least.
before buying one at supercheap or such, pull the
trailer connector apart and check the condition of the
wiring. if the copper conductors are blackened in the least
get a connector harness then redo the lot.
the contact connections are usually on the new plugs packaging.
i got a set of sealed tailight and harness then rewired my lot recently.
cost about $60 all up.
what plug do you use anyway? think the current ones are 5 pin, 7 pin, and flat din?
here's something might help, coutesy of
http://peterpam.customer.netspace.net.au/tech.htm

http://peterpam.customer.netspace.net.au/5pin.jpg

http://peterpam.customer.netspace.net.au/7pin.jpg

[clutter]

Get yourself a test light and first test the vehicle plug connection. Attach the testlight clamp to the earth or a steel part of the vehicle and see if you get a circuit on each pin (testlight glows). Obviously this means turning on the key an going through turning on lights, indicators etc. If you dont get a glow, check the corresponding wire in the back of the plug, might be loose or broken, repair where needed. If the car plug is ok, hook the plugs together and remove the casing of the trailer plug. Go through the previous tests but this time you can just touch the terminal instead of the pin. Once again, no glow is a fault so fix if needed. If still no joy at the lights, remove the lense covers and check for a circuit on each side of the globe holder, and fix as required. Hopefully by now all is working.

Wires colours are as follows:
Yellow=L/H indicator, Black=Reversing Signal(if fitted), Blue=Brakes(if fitted), White=Earth, Red=Stop lamps, Brown=Tail lamps, Green=R/H indicator.

This should also be the layout in a flat pin arrangement.

Cheers, Clutter.

[Lucky_Phill]

great reply folks and that should help others out as well.

Isn't these light boards and lights always a prob. No for me, but, you are forever seeing non-working lights.

Might be a good idea, if us Ausfishers see a boat being towed and notice lights not working, to give the driver a nod to let them know there's a prob.

Cheers Phill

[clutter]

Good call Phil, you could probably add all lights in general for that matter.
Also as far as trailer lights go, it always pays to buy a good quality waterproof set of lights. It will cost a bit more but you won't have the problems down the track.

Clutter

[whiteman]

Great advice guys. This is now my weekend project. If I find something I'll report back. If I don't find something, I'll also report back!

[sir_noelus]

Phil, If buying w/proof lights, don't get the ones that are open at the bottom. Maker says the water going up inside creates pressure which inturn stops water from getting far enough in to raech wiring. So they say. Not true; If you push the light vertically into water, OK, but if a small water hits the lights, it SLIDES up iside and reaches the top. Pay a little more, get decent submersibles and finish the job first time. Sir Noelus.

[sir_noelus]

Phil, Supposed to tead 'if a small 'wave' not water. N.

[sir_noelus]

Bloody typist's getting worse. N

[NQCairns]

Sir, on the right hand side top of your post there is a way to modify your post, took me 6 months to notice it myself and only after i was told. Yeah I got 4 years out of the open ones before seeing the light and doing as you say.cheers nq

[murrayscod]

think i'll be getting a decent set of submersibles soon as my indicator board is getting annoying, especially when the cord to tie it to boat came undone, thus it dragged the whole way home. smashed light and grinded board!
easy fix but they take to long to connect up and take off each time.
cheers Luke

[sir_noelus]

NQ, Didn't know about that trick. Too late now. I threw them away years ago. One can always learn something eh?? Thanks any way. Sir Noelus