Can a Side Marker Trailer light be Wired to Come On with the Blinker

Updated 03/02/2013 | Published 02/28/2013

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Tail Light for Trailers Over 80" Wide - 7 Function - Incandescent - Square - Passenger Side

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2-to-3 Tail Light Converter for Towed Vehicles w/ Incandescent Tail Lights

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Question:

Can I make the side marker ligh blink when the turn signal is on?

asked by: Marlin K

Expert Reply:

If you want to make a side marker light blink with the turn signal it will have to be tapped into the turn signal/brake light wire for that side. But then it will also come on with the brake lights. And you would not want to also attach it to the running light circuit because it would back feed and lights would come on when they should not.

Trailers are made with what is called a 2 wire system. They have combined turn signals and brake lights and the running light circuit is separate.

In order to separate out a turn signal from a brake light you would have to use a converter, # 118158. You would have to T-into the circuit because you want it to remain combined for the tail lights. The outputs would then go to the lights you want as turn signals, the brake output you could just tape up.

If you want the light to also come on with the running lights but not back feed it would have to be a light that is set up for the two functions. However, most clearance lights are set up for running lights and ground only and you would have to replace them with something that has 3-functions.

expert reply by: Michael H