What Would Cause Trailer Wiring To Flash or Blink When Hitting Bumps in Road

Updated 05/03/2024 | Published 08/24/2018

Question:

I recently got a trailer that was let in a field for a few years, and looking at the wiring it was all exposed so I upgraded to led lights and ran all new wiring with it. Since I have installed the wiring and lights they seem to be flicking/not working when the trailer hits bumps. I have adjusted the ground for each light. I check the truck side aswell and that it good. What could be causing the lights to flicker and not work?

asked by: Joe E

Expert Reply:

Your trailer lighting is flickering because the wiring of the trailer is grounding through the hitch ball and coupler and not through the ground wire circuit. When you hit a bump the ball intermittently stops making contact with the coupler which stops the lights from working. What you can do try improving the ground wire that comes from the main harness of the trailer to the frame and you should see it start working normally.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Alan

5/1/2024

I have the same issue I have my tail lights grounded and the white wire grounded to the trailer from the harness and it still flickers I have my ground mounted right behind the latch where it was befor

Jameson C.

5/3/2024

@Alan Should probably trace the ground wire from where it is attached to trailer frame to the lights and see if there's anything obvious that would need to be fixed.