Brake and Signal Lights Fail on Snowmobile Trailer When Headlights on 2006 Toyota Tacoma Turned On

Updated 11/07/2013 | Published 11/06/2013

Question:

Hi: The brake and turn signal work on both the truck and trailer but when I turn the head lights on the brake and turn signals fail. I did repair a broken yellow and white wire at the back of the trailer, which did brighten the right turn signal.The lights on the snowmobile trailer have two separate compartments, with one bulb each 1157s and are mounted on the swing down door. I also in stalled new electric brakes, brake controller, and break away switch wit all codes reading properly. The wiring harness runs in the frame and from what I can see it is original.Any ideas? 2006 tacoma trd and wells cargo - head lights on brake and turn signals fail Thank

asked by: Dale

Expert Reply:

When you turn your headlights on your truck is running at full power which means you probably have a weak ground along your circuit that is responsible for your brake and turn signals. When the taillights and brake lights are used at the same time, it creates the maximum amp load of the lights on the trailer.If a ground problem exists, it will show at this point.

Check your trailer tongue to verify that your grounds are secure.

In my research I found that the Wells Cargo snowmobile trailers are made out of aluminum. Aluminum is not a good conductor of electricity so your best option would be to run continuous ground wire from the trailer tongue where the trailer connector grounds to near the pivot point where the studs of the lamps are located at the rear of the trailer. With an entirely new wire run and grounded to a clean, bare metal surface, you will be sure that your brake and turn signals will be operational.

Your brake and turn signals probably do not have anything to do with all the upgrades you have made.

expert reply by: Lori W