Trailer Lights

[AustinMac]

On my j16 boat trailer my lights will work on other trucks but not mine, all the lights work just not on my truck. What should i check first? I'm pretty sure its my truck but i just don't no what to check. Also does anybody know how to protect my lights from saltwater? I've been through 2 pairs of lights in a year.

[corl]

Try your truck's fuse box. It might be the problem!

[AustinMac]

well i thought it might be that but when i press the break the right light it works and when i turn on the right turn signal it works. the left side does not work on my truck but both work perfect on other trucks. they want stay on like there supposed to at night only the right one works when i break. so would it be the fuses if it works when i break?

[joe28540]

What kind of truck? I had a Tahoe with the same problem, and it was a fuse.

[AustinMac]

04 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71

[joe28540]

More than likely a fuse. The trailer lights have their own circuit. And there is a seperate fuse for the right and the left. Or atleast thats what I ran into on my Tahoe.

[AustinMac]

if it is the fuse would the right one still work when i press the break and signal? it only lights up when i break or signal neither stay on like there supposed to when they are hooked up

[joe28540]

Yes more than likely. I had the same problem on my Tahoe. R.H. brake would work on the trailer and the RH turnlamp would work on the trailer. I spent a couple of hours checking wires under the truck. And then my brother asked the million dollar question. Did you check the fuses? I assumed because one side worked the fuse was ok. Come to find out GM designed this so if you had a trailer problem you would pop the trailer fuse and not the vehicle fuse.....Do yourself a favor and take a test light and check the fuses.

[AustinMac]

Ok thanks where are these fuses located? in the truck fuse box or near the towing package?

[AustinMac]

also how do you keep your lights from being ruined by the saltwater?

[joe28540]

They are in the fusebox.

[justaddwater]

I had some of the same problems with my 07 silverado. The brake and signal lights are on a seperate fuse than the running lights. That way at least something works when you blow a fuse. The fuses are in the fuse box under the hood, driver side. Look at the diagram on the lid and it will tell you what each fuse if for. There will be more that one fuse used for the trailer lights so read all of them before you quit.

Ain't rocket science, you just have to figure out how an engineer was thinking when wiring the fuse box up.*006*

[joe28540]

Ain't rocket science, you just have to figure out how an engineer was thinking when wiring the fuse box up.*006*


rotflmao If you can figure how an engineer thinks. I want you to pick my lottery numbers.

[justaddwater]

rotflmao If you can figure how an engineer thinks. I want you to pick my lottery numbers.

Ain't that the truth.*Cheers* Rocket Science would be easier.*surrender*

[AustinMac]

I appreciate guys, it was the fuses. Glad it was something simple

[justaddwater]

I appreciate guys, it was the fuses. Glad it was something simple

Hey NP, that's why we're here.*Cheers* Now you can just send over a couple of those flat fish in your signature with some slaw and french fries and we'll call it even. Ahoy*rotflmaorotflmao

[diverup158]

I bought the sealed L.E.D. trailer lights...a little expensive but i've been dipping them in salt water for about 4 years now without any problems. I connected the wires using heat shrink connectors. Anytime you have electric componets going into salt water your going to have problems. Your other option is just don't put the trailer in salt water or have the boat hoisted from the trailer...lol.

[joe28540]

Hey NP, that's why we're here.*Cheers* Now you can just send over a couple of those flat fish in your signature with some slaw and french fries and we'll call it even. Ahoy*rotflmaorotflmao

Just what he said....So, what time is lunch?rotflmao

[bpweaver]

LED's are the only way to go

[justaddwater]

LED's are the only way to go

I like LED's also, but I put some on my small skiff last year and they didn't last two months. Don't remember which ones I used now, we had a post going about them here somewhere, now with my new boat we been dunking regular lights in salt water since February of this year without any problem. Except when I stepped on one of the running lights along the fenders and borke it. But you're right, any thing you dunk in salt water is going to take a lot of attention. Just the price you pay for haveing access to our great coatal waters. In my opinion it's worth it.*Cheers*

[TexasCoastman]

Replace the current lights with the type that have LED's. I have used these for 4 seasons now with no failures.