7 pole connector

[Eyeary]

I am new to the forum and just purchased a 2006 Bambi using a Mercedes 350 SL 4 matic as TV. I connected the 7 pole connector and did not have brake or turning signals. Then I discovered that the batteries were dead. I have recharged the batteries but want to know if there is a way to troubleshoot the connectors?

[daveswenson]

The first thing I would try is spraying the plug full of contact cleaner and moving the plug in and out a number of times to clean things out. That might be all it takes.

[mojo]

You may find that your turn signals and brake lights do not work properly because the load from the LED tail lights on the AS are not strong enough for the Mercedes to recognize. "It's a German thing." There is an adapter that you can get from eTrailer that connects to the pigtail that will alleviate that issue if that is the cause.

[Skater]

The batteries in the trailer will have nothing to do with the running lights/brake lights/turn signals and brakes (other than the breakaway switch). Those are all powered by the tow vehicle.

[paiceman]

I know nothing about the set up on the Mercedes, that said, Fords used to come with a wiring harness, that if one wanted to tow, one had to get under the dash and connect the harness to the harness which ran from the dash to the back of the Ford vehicle. This was true with the older Explorers at least. The easy way to test your TV circuits is with a 12v test light, ground to a metal surface, stick the prong into the 7 way plug and see if it lights up. If it does test it on all circuits with someone sitting in the drivers seat working the brakes and turn signals as you instruct. If all works then it's either the connection or something in the trailrer.

Good luck

[Eyeary]

Thanks for input. You are correct, a full charge on batteries made no difference. Ordered adapter from etrailer