Post by bimmrr on Apr 25, 2015 12:46:13 GMT -8
Hey all,
Read all the posts about trailer lights/tow lights and thought I had it figured out with the great info on here. First of all I am using a four post connector both with car and trailer. My 62 Compact has electric brakes but not using them as the new Ford Escape with a tow package does not have the wiring set up for electric brakes. I've towed it and at 1100+ pounds have no problems with not using the electric brakes. Have not removed, only not connected now. So... tested to make sure all lights were working and used ideas on how to test and they work. I have the typical brown ( said on an earlier post it was black but is brown), red and green at the rear end. The wiring coming from the rear as above plus a black wire which I am assuming as the ground. 4 way Connector has a white wire for ground so have those two connected
but all lights are working including the side marker lights with lights turned on at the car.
With vehicle lights off turn signals work perfectly although get just a faint glowing of the filament on the opposite side light bulb from one blinking brightly. But, when vehicle head lights are on, turn signals do not work on trailer even though working on the car. Could this be a ground situation as believe that black wire coming from the rear of the trailer forward is the ground wire as tail lights are hooked up to it. As you can probably tell, electrical is not my strong suit.
Unfortunately I did not replace existing wiring when I had the rear skin off. Existing appeared to be in good shape and figured it would be just one more problem I might have. I could live with the turn signals not working with lights on as do not plan to be towing this at night but could be in daytime with it raining so would want lights on.
Any ideas
Thanks,
Mike
Read all the posts about trailer lights/tow lights and thought I had it figured out with the great info on here. First of all I am using a four post connector both with car and trailer. My 62 Compact has electric brakes but not using them as the new Ford Escape with a tow package does not have the wiring set up for electric brakes. I've towed it and at 1100+ pounds have no problems with not using the electric brakes. Have not removed, only not connected now. So... tested to make sure all lights were working and used ideas on how to test and they work. I have the typical brown ( said on an earlier post it was black but is brown), red and green at the rear end. The wiring coming from the rear as above plus a black wire which I am assuming as the ground. 4 way Connector has a white wire for ground so have those two connected
but all lights are working including the side marker lights with lights turned on at the car.With vehicle lights off turn signals work perfectly although get just a faint glowing of the filament on the opposite side light bulb from one blinking brightly. But, when vehicle head lights are on, turn signals do not work on trailer even though working on the car. Could this be a ground situation as believe that black wire coming from the rear of the trailer forward is the ground wire as tail lights are hooked up to it. As you can probably tell, electrical is not my strong suit.
Unfortunately I did not replace existing wiring when I had the rear skin off. Existing appeared to be in good shape and figured it would be just one more problem I might have. I could live with the turn signals not working with lights on as do not plan to be towing this at night but could be in daytime with it raining so would want lights on.
Any ideas
Thanks,
Mike
