Camper Lights Do Not Work When New 7-Way Connector on Camper is Plugged Into Vehicle

Updated 12/14/2011 | Published 12/13/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector - Trailer End

(726)

$7.17

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(66)

$14.40

Question:

wired a new 7 way connector to my camper and when I check it with an automotive battery all lights on camper work. When I plug it into the truck no lights work on camper. When I plug another camper into the same truck all of those camper lights work. Any thoughts.

asked by: Travis

Expert Reply:

Sounds like you have eliminated your truck as being the problem. With your truck plugged into the trailer you will want to use a circuit tester, like part # PTW2993, and check each terminal on the new 7-Way connector on your trailer to make sure they are working properly.

Looking at the front of the 7-Way trailer connector, make sure the number 1 terminal (ground), at the 5 oclock position on the connector, is grounded properly to the trailer. Also, make sure to test the 12 volt power terminal, at the 11 oclock position for power.

If the problem is not found in the connector, you will need to follow the trailer wiring and check all of the grounds for all of the lights and the trailer connector. Make sure each light is grounded to the trailer frame and that the connection to the trailer frame is free of rust, paint and corrosion. Other lights like running lights down the side of the trailer may have a separate ground wire or they may be grounded through the mounting hardware so you will need to check each of these lights.

While you are checking all of the ground connections, it is a good idea to look at all of the wiring and check for pinched cut or frayed wires that could be causing your issue, or could cause an issue in the future.

I am including a link to a FAQ page on trailer wiring and a link to a video that will show how to test your trailer wiring.

expert reply by: Jeff D