not brake lights or blink only running

[dkutz]

Ok we bought a trailer. i hooked it up yesterday and only the running lights work. No blinker no brakes. Is it just bad ground? Or is the wiring messed? I would think if the wiring was wrong it would still work but not correctly (left is right right is left)
Its a 6 wire plug...

[CanoeStream]

Hi there. It would be helpful if you updated your profile to show your Airstream year and model (User CP menu at upper left, select Edit Profile). Are you using the "modern" 6 blade + central round ground plug seen on most tow vehicles these days? Did the trailer have a new end plug put on the umbilical? There would be a question whether the wire functions were assigned correctly. If it's an aftermarket end plug instead of OEM the most likely issue could be a loose wire inside the plug.

[RUSSELL]

Hi,
If you have a small battery charger it is easy to find out if it is the tow vehicle or trailer problem. You schould know which is the ground and then start putting the posisitive lead to rest of the wires. On my trailer the problem was corroted bulb receptical and corroted bulbs. If all your ligths work then the plug on the tow vehicle is wired incorrectly.
Regard from Russell sunny and warm Tucson Az.

[dwightdi]

Identify the ground wire terminal on the trailer plug. Use an ohmeter to ground on the trailer do this. Then, use the ohmeter to determine if there is about 100 ohms between the ground terminal and the other terminals. If any of them are open, you have a wiring, bulb, or corrosion problem. Then check the output on the truck to see that 12 volts appears between the various terminals and the ground as you change the lighting functions. This establishes whether your truck is wired properly and you do not have any fuses blown. Now plug the trailer into the truck and take all the lenses off the trailer on the lights that do not work. Pull the lightbulbs out and ohmmeter check the bulbs and check for the presense of 12 volts at the light bulb contacts. Now you need it either replace the bulbs or check back into the trailer wiring to find the loose connection.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Identify the ground wire terminal on the trailer plug. Use an ohmeter to ground on the trailer do this. Then, use the ohmeter to determine if there is about 100 ohms between the ground terminal and the other terminals. If any of them are open, you have a wiring, bulb, or corrosion problem. Then check the output on the truck to see that 12 volts appears between the various terminals and the ground as you change the lighting functions. This establishes whether your truck is wired properly and you do not have any fuses blown. Now plug the trailer into the truck and take all the lenses off the trailer on the lights that do not work. Pull the lightbulbs out and ohmmeter check the bulbs and check for the presense of 12 volts at the light bulb contacts. Now you need it either replace the bulbs or check back into the trailer wiring to find the loose connection.

I couldn't have put it any better myself. Continuity is a wonderful thing!!!!!!!!!

[Calvin]

I recently had the same problem appear on my AS. In my case, everything had been working. I finally found a web site mentioning Ford's hidden fuses. On my 1998 F-150, ( in addition to the fuses for towing inside the main fuse box), there are two fuse boxes next to the main fuse box under the hood. One box contains the relays and the other contains fuses for the towing lights. Neither of these are called out in the owners manual.

In my case, all lights worked good on my truck, but only the running lights worked on the trailer. I verified that I did not have power at the receiptacle on the truck with a test light. After locating the additional fuses, I found and replaced a blown fuse.
Calvin

[markedz]

Does anyone actuall know what the color codes are to the trailer? Or, what color is typically the ground on say a 1980 Excella?

[gmroder]

Wiring diagrams can be found on airstream.com/products/customer service/maintenance books scroll to the bottom of the page and they are listed under "other useful information".

[Smokin Camel]

I ordered a service manual for my AS. It has been the most useful tool of all. Especially on the electric aspect. I highly recomend getting one.

There are enough didfferences between various models that (and not everything exactly follows the manual!) having a manual has guided me through restoring all of my running lights (except the two I have left--shorted).