Trailer Lights are Dim Just on One Side of Trailer

Updated 05/26/2015 | Published 05/22/2015

Question:

Why would one tow light shine bright and the other barely light up? Or one tow light works for turning and the other tow light barely glows. Is my problem the protected tail light converter? Is there a way to verify the converter is operating correctly?

asked by: Philip M

Helpful Expert Reply:

Many times the issue with a dim light on one side or the other is caused by a poor ground connection. You will want to inspect all of the ground locations as well as the ground wires coming from each light. Check for loose connections or pinched or bare wires.

If the lights on your trailer use a plug-in style pigtail harness look for damaged or bent pins.

If you have an aluminum trailer, make sure you have a ground wire run to all of the lights from the ground wire on the connector.

If everything checks out okay, you may just have a bad light and it will need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Chris O