Rear Indicator Lights

[Cracker]

Can anyone tell me how the upper three indicator lights are wired in on a 2000 Excella? I've checked the ground on all three lights and it's good. It appears that the positive side is dead. I've been hesitant to remove the light bases from the trailer shell because of the lousy weather we've been having. Before I do, I'd like to find out where the positive lead connects initially (--with respect to driver side, center, or curb side) and then how the other lights are connected thereto. Incidentally, the 2000 Excella 30 does not have rear upper clearance lights. This probably means that the positive lead "dead ends" at the upper three lights. I can't imagine any good professional way to rewire these lights if the positive is dead. Is there any chance that the positive originates behind one of the rear tail lights - and is within reach to check the connection?

Many thanks,

[Cracker]

If I can't fix the indicator lights correctly, one of the solutions I've been considering, for the rare times we may have to drive at night, is to run a simple exterior "jumper" from the license plate light to the indicator lights. I would install a single female wire connector at each location on a short lead. When it wasn't needed the "jumper" would just be stored away. It would only take a minute or two to hook up. Not pretty - but better than opening up the shell on the interior to get at the wiring.

Does this sound like a workable solution?

[smily]

It has been my experience that indicator lights are typically blown even when you dont think so. I am certain that you have already verified this so, the wires all come together at the rear of storage box or control panel in the forward section of the trailer.

They are wire nutted together behind the panel.

But before you head into that direction verify that you dont have rusted screws and or contacts in the lights themselves.

I cant count the times that a ground connection wore me out on a DC circuit.

Do any other indicators light? such as the side indicators or running lights?

Hang in there.
Smily

[smily]

My bust, I just noticed that you are working on the rear lights and not the front, Disregard my last post. Sorry.

Do you have rear bath or middle bath?

[Cracker]

Smiley:

I've got the mid-bath. I know what you mean about corroding light sockets. With my last Winnebago motorhome I had to wiggle at least three clearance lights to get them to work before each trip!

One other possibility, if I can't find the wire - or if it's there but dead, is to run a permanent jumper on the interior of the trailer from the license plate light, via the rear cabinetry, after drilling from the outside through the inside skin behind the light fixtures. It's a question of lesser evils!

For the record, as I mentioned in my first post, I still haven't pulled an indicator light to check for power on the positive lead. I was just trying to find out which light to pull first to check - if anybody knows the answer.

[smily]

not certain but I know that my taillights are daisy chained from streetside to curbside meaning that there are not connections that you cannot get to. You do have to remove the taillight assembly though.

As for indicator lights, the forward indicator lights are all wired to a common wirenut which is located behind the center indicator light.

I know this is not much help but maybe give you an idea of where to look.

I can thelp but think that your rear indicator ligths are daisy chained from one of the running light on the tail light assembly.

Do you have service or owners manual. there is often a wiring schematic in the owners manual.

Smily

[thenewkid64]

If you have the rear twins and a roof locker you may get access to the wiring thru the back of the roof locker.

Just a SWAG on my part

[Cracker]

There's a cabinet over the queen bed too - but it's my understanding that the wiring is between the inner and outer shell. On the other hand, the cabinetry does provide a way to hide the wiring if I do a jump from the license plate or tailight assembly to the indicator lights.