Posted 2014-10-11 7:53 PM (#161106) Subject: Loading lights stopped working......just when I needed them
Location: Kentucky
Before I take my trailer to a repair shop, I thought I would get expert opinions here first! I hooked my trailer up to my F350 and checked all my lights including loading and horse compartment lights.....all worked perfectly. Towed the trailer to the barn, unhooked and brought the truck home because we were expecting storms with hail (leaving early the next morning but didn't want to risk hail damage to my truck). Early means still dark......hook trailer up and switch on loading lights and....you guessed it......no lights. No interior lights either. All other lights worked fine. The truck was checked out later at the Ford dealership and they found no blown fuses and the plug recepticle tested fine. I refuse to believe that this is not an issue with the truck, but I concede I don't know what else to check on the truck. So before I haul the trailer to have it checked out, does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on this? Thanks in advance!
Posted 2014-10-11 8:52 PM (#161108 - in reply to #161106) Subject: RE: Loading lights stopped working......just when I needed them
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
I would make sure the plug is plugged in good. I run into a problem like this last weekend on ours. The first time I had not load lights with everything else working and the second time all lights worked but no trailer brakes! Unplugged the plug and plugged it back in and everything was just fine.
Posted 2014-10-11 8:58 PM (#161109 - in reply to #161106) Subject: RE: Loading lights stopped working......just when I needed them
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448 Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
Even though the dealer says that the receptacle is fine, verify with a test light. One pin should show 12v continuously. Next step would to verify that the wire on the trailer plug is connected properly. If so, check the wiring connections at the switches....the fact that both lights are not working indicates that power is not getting to them. It realy is just a matter of following the wires.
Posted 2014-10-12 11:29 AM (#161114 - in reply to #161106) Subject: RE: Loading lights stopped working......just when I needed them
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Fords only send power through to the trailer when the key is on. If the key is in the off position, you will not have any power. It is set up this way to protect the truck from having it's batteries drained.
Another common problem is getting dust int he switches. Every once in a while I find I have to pull my switches, flush them with WD40 and replace them. It just washes the dust out of the switch the accumulates from all the dirt roads I haul down. But it would be rare to have multiple switches go bad at the same time, So I would look more at the power connections to the trailer and make sure you have the key in the on position.
Posted 2014-10-12 3:15 PM (#161116 - in reply to #161114) Subject: RE: Loading lights stopped working......just when I needed them
Location: Kentucky
Thanks everyone.....I will be troubleshooting this tomorrow some more. I've been driving a Ford for many years and am aware of the fact the key has to be on.......lol.......I usually check my lights with the truck running anyway just so I don't forget. Maybe I need to add a seperate battery on the trailer to power these 12V lights just so I don't have to rely on the truck being hooked up and running.....
Posted 2014-10-12 7:59 PM (#161118 - in reply to #161106) Subject: RE: Loading lights stopped working......just when I needed them
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Idaho
Another thing to keep in mind is that on a lot of trailers the loading lights are powered off of the marker light circuit, so if you do not have your truck lights on your loading lights will not work. When you own a trailer or two or three a test light can be your best friend. I like to test at the truck first because I have found that most light problems originate at the truck.
Posted 2014-10-12 10:12 PM (#161119 - in reply to #161106) Subject: RE: Loading lights stopped working......just when I needed them
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
On the Ford SDs, the fourth maxi fuse from the front, rated at 30 amps powers the aux circuit to the trailer. This is often the circuit used for the interior lighting when no battery is installed within the trailer. The fuses can be checked without their removal, by placing one of the the probes in sequence on both of the metal tabs of the tops of the fuse, and one to gtound. If you have voltage to one side and not the other, the fuse is blown.
The aux power is located in the one o'clock position of a standard seven pin RV plug. A VOM multi meter will also verify if there is power available to the trailer. If it is, I would check the pin in the same position on your trailer's plug, for a proper wire termination within the plug. It may be loose or broken.
Our Ford not only has to have the key "ON", but the motor also has to be actually running to power this circuit.
Loading lights stopped working......just when I needed them
