New Trailer Tail Lights Blow a Fuse and Cause Lights to Turn Off

Updated 08/16/2011 | Published 08/15/2011

Question:

I just replaced one of the tail lights and after taking the trailer into the water after disconnecting the electricity supply from the car the fuse went off and the trailers lights consequently. What could have gone wrong in my connecting the replacement? I wonder about a third white color wire that I did not connect to the new light since It did not come with it. Thank you kindly in advance.

asked by: Emilio A

Expert Reply:

The LED Submersible Trailer Stop, Turn and Tail Light, # STL8RB, comes with one wire for turn and brake functions (green) one wire for tail lights (brown) and a white wire as the ground. The ground wire will need to be attached to a clean and corrosion free metal surface on the trailer.

A lot of trailers have tail lights that ground through the mounting studs. These types of lights will also need to be attached to a clean and corrosion free metal surface.

A bad or absent ground could be causing a short which has can make the fuse blow.

You will also want to make sure that the trailer and vehicle side connectors are free of dirt and corrosion.

expert reply by: Michael H