Why Would Trailer Running Lights Partially Illuminate

Question

Question:

The red LED running lights on my travel trailer have a dull glow when plugged into the shore power. I disconnected the power and batteries as the batteries and the dull glow turned off. When either the batteries are connected or shore power is connected the dull glow returns.

asked by: Chris

0

Expert Reply:

LED lights only require a very small amount of amperage/voltage to partially light up. What you are experiencing is a little bleed through on your running light circuit. So somehow there is a small short between an active circuit on your trailer wiring and the running light circuit. Only way to fix that is to go over the wiring and clean up any exposed wire you find.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

RV Rear
(click to enlarge)

Answer 1

This sounds like a ground issue. Ground problems normally show up when there is more draw on a system such as when you have the running lights on and then use another function like a turn signal or brake light. Make sure that the vehicle side and…

view full answer...

Answer 2

It sounds like there is a ground wire issue on your trailer. Since you said you checked the vehicle harness, and it checks out we can rule that out as the issue. You will want to use a circuit tester like part #PTW2993 and check the wires coming out…

view full answer...

Answer 3

Everything works okay until you activate the running lights and draw maximum amperage through the system. This is the classic symptom of an insufficient ground connection. Find the main grounding point on the trailer by tracing the white wire from…

view full answer...

Answer 4

My suspicion is that you have a poor ground connection somewhere on your trailer. The fact that everything works fine until the running lights are turned on is the dead giveaway. When the tail lights are turned on, the trailer lighting is drawing…

view full answer...

Answer 5

First thing to check is for corrosion on the trailer wiring connectors on the running light circuit. Nearly everytime a single circuit stops working on trailer wiring it's due to corrosion in the connectors preventing the connection being made.…

view full answer...

Answer 6

Since all of your trailer lights operate properly with the exception of one of the running lights, this tells us that the vehicle wiring harness is probably working properly. I would first carefully check the bad light's ground and power wires to…

view full answer...

Answer 7

I absolutely agree with you that what you are experiencing is a ground issue; moving it to a frame with a clean metal surface is going to resolve the issue in nearly every case. If it was a short you would still be having issues with lights not…

view full answer...

Answer 8

If you are not getting power on the running light circuit at the connector on the truck then none of the running lights should be working on the trailer. Trailer's in the US use one circuit for running lights, one circuit for left turn/brake…

view full answer...

Answer 9

First thing you should do at this point is test the 7-way of the wiring harness with a circuit tester part #PTW2993 for voltage on all of the right pins when the taillight signals are being applied. Just like in the video I attached. If the voltage…

view full answer...

Answer 10

You will first want to check the fuses on your tow vehicle. Some vehicles could have fuses for operating the turn signals and brake lights of a towing package. You will want to check if they are installed and working properly. The next thing is to…

view full answer...

Answer 11

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

view full answer...

Answer 12

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

view full answer...

Why Would Trailer Running Lights Partially Illuminate

Continue Researching