Wire Short Diagnosis And Using Dielectric Grease To Keep Moisture Out Of Electrical Connections

Updated 11/16/2016 | Published 11/15/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Peterson Combination Trailer Tail Light - 6 Function - Incandescent - Square - Passenger Side

(903)

$5.43

Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.

(1505)

$10.94

Question:

I was on vacation towing my Casita 19foot RV with my 2008 Toyota 4 Runner. When returning home my left turn signal started blinking fast. I checked all around trailer and car and thought that the RT light bulb had blown. The light was not working. It appeared blown! However, when I got home and disconnected the trailer and just before buying replacement bulbs the turn signal was working correctly again??? I tested my trailer connector on the 4 runner with a Tekonsha trailer emulator I have and I got all passing lights. Any ideals as to what may be going on? A short wire? We were driving through some wet cold weather? Could this have caused a temporary short????

asked by: James G

Expert Reply:

Without being able to recreate the issue, it is a very difficult one to solve. You went through most of the steps I would have suggested to find the issue, so we've narrowed the possibilities.

It is possible when driving through wet weather that there can be an issue at the connection point due to moisture. I suggest checking the connectors for corrosion or rust and cleaning them really good. The only thing that I can recommend to help that from being an issue in the future is to use some Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz., # 11755. This will help prevent electrical failures caused by corrosion and moisture. It is water resistant and sheds moisture without washing away.

There could also be a weak ground for that particular light. Typically, when something is working intermittently, it is due to a poor ground on the trailer. I suggest tracing that wire to your trailer ground looking for pinched or damaged wire along the way. Sometimes running a new ground wire or cleaning a rusted of corroded ground connection will work to solve the problem.

expert reply by: Jason S