Trailer Light Fuse/Wiring

[fishrod]

I recently started towing a small trailer around and soon noticed that the lights do not work.

Coming from the back of the car I have the flat 4 PIN connection for which I had to purchase a 4 PIN to round 7 PIN converter.

The converter has a white "ground" wire (along with 2 other red and yellow wires which I believe are for larger trailers with brakes) which I assumed had to be grounded to the car, so I attached it to the body under the back of the car, but the lights still dont work.

Is it possible there is a fuse or relay that may have blown which is causing this not to function?

Or am I supposed to connect the Ground wire to a specific point under the car?

Since I purchased the car I have never had to tow anything so I am not even sure that it worked in the first place.

Im wondering what sort of tests I can do myself before I have someone more professional look into this for me.

 

[fourwd1]

I'd start by disconnecting the 7 pin converter and making sure the 4-pin connector works properly first.
The 4 pin connector is probably part of of a converter to begin with, to convert the separate turn and brake lights into one signal for the trailer lights.
So anything is suspect at this point.

 

[fishrod]

I'd start by disconnecting the 7 pin converter and making sure the 4-pin connector works properly first.
The 4 pin connector is probably part of of a converter to begin with, to convert the separate turn and brake lights into one signal for the trailer lights.
So anything is suspect at this point.

Need to find a trailer with a 4 pin connection now. Not many going around these days. There all 7 pin!!

8)

 

[priestsallore]

Well, I'm not sure if you can do this on your runner, but I did this to my old '00 Ford E-350,,,

You can try to unscrew the rear light case & wire the trailer lights into your back tail lights & run it that way..

But, you might want to check on that first before you try it lol

 

[n8buddy]

Well, I'm not sure if you can do this on your runner, but I did this to my old '00 Ford E-350,,,

You can try to unscrew the rear light case & wire the trailer lights into your back tail lights & run it that way..

But, you might want to check on that first before you try it lol

that is how it was done on my truck when i got it, PO just tapped off existing tail lights. you will end up with 5 wires in total: brake, left turn, right turn, running lights and ground. then there should be a 5 wire to 4 wire converter b/c the trailer lights do brake and turn in one. get a test light and try the terminals 1 by 1 to see what works and what doesnt