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11-22-2017, 08:20 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Talladega
Posts: 48
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Running light issue
I have a backup camera that is wired to the running lights on my 2017 Keystone Sprinter. I have been using the lights in the daytime in order to use the camera giving a view of what is behind the trailer. Problem is the running lights went out while leaving a campground. I immediately stopped to make sure I still had the turn signals and brake lights working. They were still working. Any suggestions on what might be the problem. I suppose it could be a fuse, but I cannot find any diagram of what fuse works what. How do I trouble shoot this problem?
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11-22-2017, 08:30 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,237
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You need to make sure you have 12VDC at the umbilical cord.
Go here:
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx
And then with the truck lights turned on, just use aVolt/OHM meter to test for voltage at the truck end. You can also jumper the trailer end to diagnose/rule out the trailer wiring. Before I bought a plug, I used to Jumper the trailer cord all the time.
At the truck you going to test across the ground and running lights. On the trailer you going to jumper power to running lights.
No power at the truck side- probably a fuse in the truck.
No lights when jumpering at the trailer plug- most likely a loose wire.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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11-23-2017, 05:09 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,841
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Here's the way I'd approach it:
1. Using a paper clip formed into a "U" shape, jumper between the two pins next to the "index guide" on the trailer end of the umbilical. Those two pins are 12VDC and TRAILER RUNNING LIGHTS. If the running lights work, the trailer is good and your problem is in the tow vehicle. If they don't work, you have a wiring issue in the trailer. (be sure your trailer battery cutoff switch is "ON")
2. If the running lights do work (in the step above), then go to the truck (I think you have a 2016 F150) open the hood and you'll find a "power distribution box". On the 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L V8, it is front/center directly behind the radiator. Open that box and you'll find a number of fuses and relays. The trailer running lights are fuse # 34 and # 36. Chances are that one of them is bad. They are 25 amp mini-fuses, commonly found at any hardware or auto supply store.
Your truck owner's manual has the power distribution box layout and fuse diagram listed.
Let us know what you find when you "go looking".... Good Luck !!!
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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11-23-2017, 05:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Lafayette
Posts: 1,068
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Unrelated, but thanks for the wiring diagram, printed a copy of it to keep in RV packet!
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2015 Ram,3500,Dually,B&W,4.10s,Aisin,Limited,Silver
2018 Raptor,428SP w/full body paint
2012 Harley, Ultra Limited
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11-23-2017, 08:16 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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What difference would it make if the trailer battery switch is on or off, it has nothing to do with the running lights.
Enquiring minds want to know!
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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11-23-2017, 08:23 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,395
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Do you tail lights work? If so, the problem isn't the 7 pin connection. Suggest you have a look at the connection where you spliced in the wires for the camera as most likely point of failure. After that, the marker lights are likely in series so you will need to check the wire nuts on those, one after the other I guess.
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
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11-23-2017, 08:38 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,841
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans
What difference would it make if the trailer battery switch is on or off, it has nothing to do with the running lights.
Enquiring minds want to know!
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If you're using the 12VDC pin on the umbilical to power the running lights for the test and the battery cutoff switch is between the umbilical and the battery, you won't have 12VDC at the umbilical, so "jumpering" between the two pins on the umbilical wouldn't illuminate the lights. If, however, the battery cutoff switch is not between the battery and the umbilical wiring, it wouldn't matter.
So, rather than try to explain all of that in an already confusing (for someone with little electrical troubleshooting experience) I just suggested that he be sure the battery cutoff switch is on. That would eliminate any "false problems" with not having power at the 12 VDC pin on the umbilical..... Now "enquiring minds know".....
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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11-24-2017, 10:44 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Talladega
Posts: 48
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Problem found
I found that the fuse for the trailer lights in the truck was blown. Will replace the fuse tomorrow and get an extra one so if it happens again I'll know what to do. That leaves the question of why it blew, so there could be a short in the wiring related to the backup camera ???? Not sure if the weather could have been a contributing factor but had a sever storm (wind and rain) during the night before I hooked up the trailer. Had gone about 5 miles before it blew.
Thanks for all the suggestions and the wiring diagram.
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11-25-2017, 06:12 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
Posts: 2,117
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmlocklin
I found that the fuse for the trailer lights in the truck was blown. Will replace the fuse tomorrow and get an extra one so if it happens again I'll know what to do. That leaves the question of why it blew, so there could be a short in the wiring related to the backup camera ???? Not sure if the weather could have been a contributing factor but had a sever storm (wind and rain) during the night before I hooked up the trailer. Had gone about 5 miles before it blew.
Thanks for all the suggestions and the wiring diagram.
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Don't know about your TV, but our Ford has those square fuses ( I think they are called J-case?) and they are rare like hens teeth at the parts stores. Had a similar problem with the running lights on our Cougar. Never did find the fault.
__________________
Jack & Marty
2018 Laredo 298 SRL
2011 F-250 SB Crew Cab 4x4 6.7L
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11-25-2017, 04:33 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
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For what it's worth. On our Cougar running lights worked just fine until a screw installed at the factory that was inadvertantly run through the wiring harness rubbed the insulation and resulted in a dead short. Took me many hours of tracing wires to solve.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 6.4 Harvest Edition
2018 Cougar 27RESWE
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11-25-2017, 07:02 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Just a thought .... If your trailer does not already have LED running lights, this would be a good time to up-grade. Adding the camera to the circuit may have brought it close to over load and caused the blown fuse. If self resetting circuit breakers are available to replace that fuse, they are another alternative. Just thinking out loud, Hank
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Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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11-25-2017, 07:44 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,841
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If you're considering changing incandescent running lights to LED's. These are the cheapest, brightest (for the money) LED's that I've found. They have been on my Cougar for over a year and no problems yet. At the price, 49 cents each, they are hard to beat. Just be sure to put some silicone di-electric grease (available at any auto parts store) on the contacts when you install them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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