Curbside Front Clearance Out

[davidz71]

About 6 months ago I noticed the curbside amber clearance light appear to lose a few of the leds then it went out all together. I purchased two new 14 led amber clearance lights and replaced them a couple months ago. The streetside is bright as can be but the curbside one is not lit at all. I thought it might be defective so I disconnected it and ran it straight to a 12 volt battery. it tested fine. I checked with a volt meter and find no power to that front clearance light. I have jumped the 12 volt source, all clearance lights and the rear taillights and all are lit except for the clearance light in question. Any suggestions?

[GMFL]

Going to need to trace that wire back and look for a loose connection or rerun that wire (not fun).

[davidz71]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Going to need to trace that wire back and look for a loose connection or rerun that wire (not fun).

I'm wondering where the wire goes from the clearance light inside the shell. Could it be a problem on the tongue in the box the umbilical cable goes into? NOTE: I just found a red wire coming out of the large cable the other side of the junction box the first part of the umbilical cable goes into. It looks like a splice was made and the wire came out right at a clamp holding the cable to the belly pan. I will have to drill out the rivet tomorrow to move the clamp to get a better look. I hope it is as easy as that.

[cwf]

Those wires are notoriously too short. "pulling a new one"... ? I can't comprehend that.... really don't want to have to do that.. I think there are wires from the junction box to each light.

[glenrms]

Did you try to reverse the wires? I bought a new (made in China) marker for my motorhome many years ago and it didn't work. I connected the wires backwards and all was well.

[davidz71]

Originally Posted by glenrms

Did you try to reverse the wires? I bought a new (made in China) marker for my motorhome many years ago and it didn't work. I connected the wires backwards and all was well.

No, I don't remember doing that when I installed it so I will give it a try. No luck with the wire I thought was spliced into the umbilical cord under the trailer. Two wires were just taped to the cord and one was barely hanging there. I went into the junction box and all wires are tightly connected. I ran a fuse jumper again and wiggled every wire I could see from the junction box to under the trailer, even inside the front overhead console near the radio. I guess Friday afternoon I will remove the clearance light, switch connections and hope something works. I'm looking in my service manual now to see where the wire goes after leaving the clearance housing.

[davidz71]

Apparently the hot wire was crimped 4 inches inside the shell and pulled loose. I cannot see the wire that has the crimp tube inside. All I have is the 4 inches of red wire and the flattened copper wire approximately 1/2 inch long. I probed around in the fiberglass insulation with a long sharp object and just can't see another wire with the crimp tube attached. So much for that. I sealed up the mount to prevent water incursion and maybe at the end of summer I will run a wire from the other clearance light to this one somehow through or around the fiberglass insulation. Unless someone has a better or easier idea, it just isn't worth the aggravation right now.

[davidz71]

Well, the saga continues. I now find that the cigarette lighter receptacle in the rear bedroom is dead. I pulled the plate and checked the 12 volt wires, both white, and no current is read on the voltmeter. I'm about to get fed up but need power to that area for a cell phone charger as well as an auxiliary fan powered by that receptacle.

[cwf]

Craig.. these are tough problems to solve so far away.. I do wish you all the best ... options like routing the clearance wire are thinking outside the box!!!

Do you have any local friends who work in their own boats or vehicles???

[davidz71]

Update: Replaced the cigarette lighter receptacle plate and it works fine now. I still haven't gone back to the clearance light problem yet.

[SeeMore]

Given you know the wire was spliced just inches away from the opening and the original length is likely trapped where it is by insulation, how about a <$20 attempt ...

1) acquire a GrabEasy and Borescope:
a) https://www.walmart.com/ip/USB-Snake...S20-/788246048
b) https://www.homedepot.com/p/GrabEasy...0405/302873178

2) Tape the business ends together and go fishing for the wire.

3) The loose wire might just be long enough to be pulled out and another connector used.

A more extensive & proper cure will take a great deal more time and expense!