Saturday (178) - I spent most of the day messing around with the wiring at the rear of the coach. Unfortunately, there is no wiring diagram to be found. The problem to be solved is no right-rear turn signal with or without the tail lights on. If I remove the bulbs on the right-rear, the trailer turn signals work unless I turn on the taillights.
Partial solution found. I replaced the tail-turn signal bulbs with LED bulbs (much less current) and almost everything sort of works. Right turn on the coach with and without taillights. Trailer right turn signal only with tail lights off. The turn signal is dimmer than when the tail lights are off but they still blink.
Sunday (179) - Success! These are the lights along the side that are mounted just above and forward of the rear wheels. They are on with the parking lights and flash with the turn signals. I disconnected them and lo and behold, everything works. I examined the wiring and all of the wires have been cut and spliced together multiple times. It’s simple enough. Just 3 wires. Taillight, turn signal, and ground. On the passenger side, all three wires were wrong. On the driver's side, two out of three were wrong. I cut them all, removed all the butt connectors (multiple on each wire), and wired it correctly with solder and shrink tubing.
When tested, everything worked including the trailer connector. I removed the hack I had installed last September to get the trailer connector working and removed the other non-stock trailer connector that was installed by some previous owner and it’s back to stock. And it works…
I will probably move the tow dolly back there tomorrow and check again. The person at the next campsite was getting ready to do some wiring. His left turn signal on the trailer connector wasn’t working. I suggested that he look for a trailer connector relay box in one of the rear compartments. He found the box and there was a blown fuse for the left turn signal. He was thrilled and told me that I saved him hours of frustration…
Partial solution found. I replaced the tail-turn signal bulbs with LED bulbs (much less current) and almost everything sort of works. Right turn on the coach with and without taillights. Trailer right turn signal only with tail lights off. The turn signal is dimmer than when the tail lights are off but they still blink.
When tested, everything worked including the trailer connector. I removed the hack I had installed last September to get the trailer connector working and removed the other non-stock trailer connector that was installed by some previous owner and it’s back to stock. And it works…
I will probably move the tow dolly back there tomorrow and check again. The person at the next campsite was getting ready to do some wiring. His left turn signal on the trailer connector wasn’t working. I suggested that he look for a trailer connector relay box in one of the rear compartments. He found the box and there was a blown fuse for the left turn signal. He was thrilled and told me that I saved him hours of frustration…
Plus Richard helped a neighbor learn how a cell booster works, and how to add solar panels. A very productive day. Then he made dinner.
ReplyDeleteThe only good things about bodged fixes is that when you remove them, chances are good everything will work or it will reveal the original problem so that you can fix it. Getting rid of poorly done repairs is a good thing. Some people should not have tools. Good work Richard.
ReplyDeleteI've been putting this one off since last September. To test the turn signals and brake lights, I used to just turn on the four way flashers and if everything flashed, I just assumed it worked. I later noticed that the right turn signal didn't seem to work but couldn't figure out a pattern. When Bridget followed me in the car on the way to Coburg, it was an opportunity to see what worked and what didn't while on the road. Lots of poorly done repairs on this thing and I suspect it was incompetent RV dealers. I had to rewire the seven way socket so it was "standard". And a six way socket was installed as well. For the tow dolly. I'm using a seven to four adaptor which is why I needed to rewire it to "standard".
DeleteUsing logic to repair trailer wiring never works if someone else has worked on it before you.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I hate fixing someone else's botched repair.
DeleteCongratulations! Persistence works and is rewarded! 😁
ReplyDeleteI figured that I had some time here and the weather has been very pleasant.
DeleteWell at least your turn signals stay mounted. Been having recurring issues with the lights on my trailer...but I think I've got a fix now....I mean, besides getting the correct depth lights to start with, but being on the road, one uses what one can get.
ReplyDeleteThey haven’t fallen out yet. I tried removing the side lights from the gasket and the rubber is pretty hard due to age. They aren’t going to fall out on their own.
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