No running lights on 14DBS

[pinstriper]

Noticed on the last trip out that with our headlights on, neither the running lights nor that tail lights on the trailer go on. Obviously an issue for dusk or dark travel !

I checked the TV, it is putting out voltage to the correct pins. Honestly, I don't know how long this has been broken as we generally are where we need to be by dark.

Can this be a single burned out bulb somewhere taking the whole set out like a Hanukkah Bush ? If so, just start checking one after another to find the bad one ?

I do have turn and flashers and brake lights on the trailer. So I suspect it is one of the amber running lights that is out, if it's a bulb.

[daplumbr]

The lights are not wired in series, so a single bulb out won't kill the whole string, so to speak. There is a loose connection or broken wire in the trailer, or a bad connection in the plug from the TV to the trailer that feeds the running/tail lights. Using Occam's Razor, I'm going to guess a bad connection in the trailer plug. Use a q-tip and clean all the pins and holes in both the TV and trailer connectors with WD-40. Also try wiggling the plug with the power on to see if the lights blink. If the plug is clean and ok, then that wire has a loose or bad connection. Since none of them are working, the main wire from the plug to the taillights would be the culprit. Trailer wiring problems have driven folks insane, caused divorces, and led to many a grey hair. There is a long list of cuss words that might help, but can't be posted here. All in all, my vote is still the plug, so even before I disassembled the entire trailer looking for the wiring issue, I would replace the plug. 

One further note; I had trouble with the trailer lights too, and sidestepped all the insanity/divorces/cusswords/grey hairs by knowing that my older TV trailer light converter did not like the newer LED light bulbs in the trailer. The lights didn't draw enough current to make the converter work properly. I replaced the tail lights on the trailer with regular incandescent bulbs lights and fixed it permanently. That's not likely your problem, especially if they ever worked right, but maybe? 

I just realized that someone will probably step in a correct me about the series wiring. If a bulb is out, the "string" won't go bad, but if a wire is broken or loose, everything "downstream" from that spot will be out too. 

[mitch]

I go with the plug aspect also.  I had an issue where my brake controller would be suddenly not connected after being fine for hours.  I cleaned the terminals on the female side of the plug and also squeezed them a little closer together to get better contact, problem solved.

[pinstriper]

I've come up with the perfect solution.

Dealer's service department gets her at 8am Monday.

[pinstriper]

OK, they have this magic toolbox at the dealer. Homemade. Has a battery inside, and a 7-way socked. Mimics a TV. Toggle switches send current to individual pins. They plugged the trailer into this, and voila ! Running lights.

Checked fuses on the TV, found several labeled "tow wiring" or something like that. Now, I had used a voltmeter and gotten voltage on the right pins, or so I thought. But we pulled each fuse and found one that was blown. Replaced, and now I have running lights !!

Major props to Funtime RV in Tualatin. I was only supposed to be dropping off. They had a tech do his work right then and there, and even provided the replacement fuse. Wouldn't take my money.

They have a HUGE new service building, probably work on 10-12 rigs at the same time. They are still hard to get appointments, but it's much better than it was (2-3 weeks instead of 7). And they are great to work with, across the board. They accommodated an issue that was preventing us from using the trailer, without putting us off to an appointment.

[mitch]

Always nice to hear of good service, I'll put them on my good people list.