Clearance light wiring

Bob Evans · 05-25-2002, 09:43 PM

The upper rear right hand clearance light on our 1990 model 250 motorhome is out. There is no voltage at the light fixture. The fixture is grounded to the skin of the unit.

Does anyone know how the 12v line to this light is routed and where it is tied into the clearance (parking) lights? My hunch is a connection somewhere along the line is loose or corroded but I don't know where to look.

Thanks,

Bob

davidz71 · 05-25-2002, 10:17 PM

Bob,
Can't help you with the wiring diagram but I would like to mention that one of the three clearance lights on the top rear of my '77 Excella 500 was not working. I pulled the lens off and the rubber gasket fell into 5 pieces. I replaced this with the round rubber gasket that keeps window and door screens in place. Anyway, the bulb looked good but there was no current found anywhere. I thought this was strange and figured a wire had come loose on the inside. I took the bulb out, cleaned it and put it back in. Same result. I started moving the brass contacts around and all of a sudden the bulb lit. I wiggled some more and it went out. I wiggled once more, the bulb lit and has been on since I fixed it 6 mos. ago. I have one more on the side that I have to tap every once in awhile to get it to stay on. The trailer was out for a month during spring turkey season and when I took it to get weighed at the local scale yesterday, all clearance lights were on. Maybe you will be so lucky. Craig

PeterH-79MH · 05-26-2002, 07:12 AM

Bob,
When I removed my headliner, I found the wiring to be chained with the source going to the first rib on the roof. Since only one of your lights is out, it would suggest a loose or corroded wire from 4 to 5.
Since I do not know the construction of your 250 headliner, I could not suggest instructions for removal.
The other option would be to drill a larger hole under light number 4 and to feed a wire to 5.
There is a lot of insulation, so it could be difficult. Any new holes should be filled with a rubber plug and vulkem sealer.
Post a picture of your 250!

BobbyW · 05-26-2002, 07:23 AM

Are you testing for 12v at the light fixture contacts or at the backside were the wire connects to the light?

-BobbyWright

Bob Evans · 05-26-2002, 01:11 PM

Yes, I am testing in the center between the two light sockets where the wire connects to the socket assembly.

The center clearence light assembly is/was intermittent as Craig described. Maybe I will try exercising the upper right rear unit a bit more.

The headliner in this area is inside an overhead cabinet. Looks like the cabinet will come down with the removal of a lot of screws. This cabinet has 155 volt and cable connections in its underside so it will be some fun removing it.

Here is a view of our unit on our most recent wildflower hunt (April 2, '02).

Bob Evans · 05-26-2002, 01:12 PM

Thanks for all the responses!

Bob

And this is the other end of the unit:

Jim W · 05-27-2002, 11:03 AM

Hi Bob. What a great looking unit! I had a light in my rear bebroom that was intermittent & finally quit working. I found that there were about one or two strands of the wire that was making cotact. The others had broken over a period of time. The insolation looked okay, but you couldn't read any voltage at the socket. I just cut the wire at the socket, skinned the wire back & soldered it in. Its hard to work with out a diagram.

Good luck!

Jim W