Testing running lights...

[Sneakinup]

Is it possible to test the trailer lights without being hooked up to the tow vehicle?

Can I hook 12v's up to one of the pins and I'm guessing a ground to test if they work? I'm not worried about the directionals yet, but if there is a way to test those without the tow vehicle, I would be interested in that method also.

Thanks in advance!

72 Overlander

[Pahaska]

You will find one hot pin in the connector that is the charge line from the tow vehicle to the battery. Turn on the battery disconnect (if you have one) and jumper that pin to the pins for the various lights. I have done this with one of the leads from my voltmeter.

BTW: when it comes time to check your lights with the tow vehicle hooked up, turn on the tow vehicle lights and turn on the emergency blinker. Now, you can walk around just once and every light should be on and/or blinking. Saves multiple trips to the rear of the trailer.

[Sneakinup]

Thanks for the tip!

Good news! I alligator clipped a 12v battery to the inside of the trailer plug (iy is exposed in the front of my Overlander with the plastic cover plate off) and tried it on various colored wires. I got lights/power to the back top running lights, the back trailer lights both lit up, white lens and red, the rear side running lights lit, but I couldn't get the front 3 powered. I may have not tried the correct combination of leads for the front ones.

My main objective was to make sure that in the last 2 years that the trailer has been sitting in my back yard while I have been working on it, that no varmints gnawed through any wiring, and when it comes time to roll with her, that I have to start ripping out interior panels to get to wiring. YIKES!!!! In addition, when I bought the trailer, I never tried the lights, so I was mentally (not financially) prepared for anything.

[overlander63]

Originally posted by Sneakinup
Thanks for the tip!

Good news! I alligator clipped a 12v battery to the inside of the trailer plug (iy is exposed in the front of my Overlander with the plastic cover plate off) and tried it on various colored wires. I got lights/power to the back top running lights, the back trailer lights both lit up, white lens and red, the rear side running lights lit, but I couldn't get the front 3 powered. I may have not tried the correct combination of leads for the front ones.

The running lights all run off one pin in your trailer plug. If you have clearance lights on one part of your trailer, and not another, check your bulbs and grounds to those individual lights. I have found a little corrosion on the metal part of the bulb, will stop them from working. If you have power, and no light, you may have to drill out the mounting rivets to that light, and re-rivet it, for a good ground. I had to do this to almost all mine when I put it back on the road.
Terry