Troubleshooting Cargo Trailer Interior Light that Stay On

Published 12/04/2014

Question:

I have a 24foot 2004 wells cargo trailer with two center mounted interior lights that have individual on/off switches but a main switch at the side door entry. The trailer has a mounted 12V battery new on the tongue. The lights have worked twice, but have only stayed on for about 30 seconds then turned off even though all switches were on. Ive replaced the wall switch second time it came on and still doesnt work. I am getting 12 volts to the switch wires. Thoughts?

asked by: Donald H

Expert Reply:

You said the switch is getting 12 volts, but does the light still get 12 volts when the switch is on and the light has shut off? If so, then the problem may be the light assembly.

You could try pulling the assembly off of the trailer and manually powering the light with some jumper cables from the positive and negative posts of a vehicle battery to see if the problem persists. If so, then the problem is the light. If not then its the wiring from the switch to the light.

expert reply by: Jameson C