Driver side brake lights do not work

[82 excella]

Passenger side works great but only running lights, on drivers side only the running lights , no blinkers ,turn signals or flashers, just replaced all bulbs! Please help? What should I check?

[Splitrock]

grounds

[82 excella]

Where? What grounds?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, did these lights work before? What was the last thing you did to your trailer before they stopped working? Have you checked the outlet on your tow vehicle to see if everything works there? Have you checked and cleaned your imbelical cord connector? Are the bulbs double filiment and did you replace them with the same type/number? [1157]

[Splitrock]

I had the same issue. I cleaned the sockets, removed and reattached all the grounds, and installed all new bulbs, even the ones that were working. Every fixture has a hot wire, a socket, and a ground, Check and clean them all. I checked all the hot wires with a jumper just to confirm I had power to the location.

I started at the 7-way and reinstalled the whole 7-way fixture as well as installed a new fuse panel and all new fuses. I also installed a new breakaway switch and a new umbilical.

When I plugged it in, everything worked.

<------ My blog at the link to the left shows more how I did it.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by 82 excella

Passenger side works great but only running lights, on drivers side only the running lights , no blinkers ,turn signals or flashers, just replaced all bulbs! Please help? What should I check?

There are many possible causes. If the running lights work OK on both sides and the turn signals work on passenger only your grounds should be good so that leaves the wiring for the left brake/turn light. As you're probably aware, the turn signal, brake light, and hazard flasher all use the same wire and the same filament in the bulb.

Check for corrosion in the socket. If present, replace the socket or clean it with a wire brush, file, or emery cloth.

Check the umbilical connection at the 7-way connector.

Verify that the left turn signal circuit in the 7-way is actually getting power from the tow vehicle when the turn signal is on by using a test light.

I'm not sure how the wiring in the '84 is set up but if it's like the later models I believe you'll find a junction box on the streetside under the gaucho where all the umbilical wiring terminates. With the umbilical disconnected, carefully be sure all the wires are secure. You may have to remove a plastic lid to get to the wires. You can tighten the nuts with a nutdriver but cover it with electrical tape so you don't accidentally short out the charge line.

[HankO]

I had a similar situation happen and found out one of the fuses on my Tow Vehicle that had to do with "Towing" had blown.

HankO

[82 excella]

Nope checked all fuses driver stop lights still broke, Someone help ! Lol

[82 excella]

I don't see a junction box

[TG Twinkie]

Do you have a test light or a VOM? If not a trip to the hardware store is in order.

Check to see if you have turn signal power at the trailer receptacle on the truck. The left turn signal pin is at the 9 o'clock position in the receptacle. Just flip the switch for the hazard lights and use the test light or meter to check for power at the pin for the left turn signal. Do this by connecting the black wire of the meter to the ground/common pin in the receptacle the 7 o'clock position or to a clean spot on the frame of the truck, then use the red lead on the meter to test the left turn pin. The meter must be on the DC scale. You should see the voltage indication on the meter rising and falling.
As new as your truck is I would not expect a problem here other than maybe some corrosion. Unless there is mechanical damage to the receptacle.

Do the tail lights work on the drivers side of the trailer?

Does the umbilical cord on the trailer have a molded plug?

Lets start with these steps and then progress to the next.

[82 excella]

Yes the trailer and the truck have a molded cord the driver running lights work but no turn signal or brakelightss, everything else works on the trailer.

[TG Twinkie]

Have you performed the tests I mentioned in my previous post?
We need to verify that the receptacle works on the TV.

[Splitrock]

This is the type of 7-way tester I used to install and verify my towing lights.



This is what the test light looks like:




I just used a Sears $10 on sale multimeter:



Like this.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Splitrock

This is the type of 7-way tester I used to install and verify my towing lights.



This is what the test light looks like:




I just used a Sears $10 on sale multimeter:



Like this.

Hi, I have testers very similar to all three of these. I used the top one to show another camper that his charge line wasn't working and that he had the typical GM dummy fuse.

[Splitrock]

What's "the typical GM dummy fuse"?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Splitrock

What's "the typical GM dummy fuse"?

Hi, in the fuse panel under the hood, GM either installs what looks like a good fuse, but has no completed contact, or they leave this fuse out altogether. I guess, that since only the people towing travel trailers or fifth wheel trailers would need the charge line to be activated, GM saves some pennies by not putting a fuse in every truck since most owners might never need it.

[Splitrock]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, in the fuse panel under the hood, GM either installs what looks like a good fuse, but has no completed contact, or they leave this fuse out altogether. I guess, that since only the people towing travel trailers or fifth wheel trailers would need the charge line to be activated, GM saves some pennies by not putting a fuse in every truck since most owners might never need it.

Good to know, Thanks!

[82 excella]

Ok so messing with the 7 way has it t where the brake lights are now always on, I'm replacing the 7 way and hopefully that fixes it.