Fuse Keeps Blowing on 2017 Ram and Running Lights on Trailer Do Not Work Properly

Published 11/09/2017

Products Featured in This Question

16 Gauge Primary Wire - Black - Per Foot

(63)

$1.08

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 16-14 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Blue - Qty 5

(1149)

$8.29

Question:

I have a 2017 Dodge dually with a fifth wheel. When I hook to a bumper pull trailer or a fifth wheel. All I get is turn signals and brake lights no running lights. Replaced fuse. Which had blown and got very dim running lights on bumper pull. Hooked to fifth wheel and had nothing. Going to replace fuse a start tracing it

asked by: Mike G

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have a short somewhere on your circuits. You can start by inspecting the 7-Way connector on your 2017 Ram and your trailers to make sure that they are clean and do not have any debris in them.

If those look good then the next step would be to inspect all of your grounds and make sure that they have a solid connection to a clean, bare metal surface. Even some paint could cause a bad ground which results in a short.

Since this problem is happening with both trailers my guess would be that the problem is on your vehicle side. You can verify this by using the battery of your Ram to test your lights on your trailers. Ground the negative terminal and then use the positive terminal to test all of the light functions on your trailers. If they light up like they should then you know the problem is no your truck.

If you can verify that the problem is on your truck and you are still having problems after checking the grounds you will want to check your wiring next. Check for any places where it is damaged, exposed, bent, or corroded and replace with 16 Gauge Wire # 16-1-1 and Butt Connectors # DW05744-5. You can use this same guideline if the problem happens to be on your trailer side as well.

Once you have completed these troubleshooting steps, if you are still having issues it would be best to take your whole towing setup to a shop so that they can physically inspect it.

expert reply by: Jon G