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Old 08-15-2018, 08:36 AM   #1
Skiho3020
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inconsistent tail light function

Anybody have any sporadic functionality of their tail lights? I have a 2018 326 RDS. It just started doing weird things. sometimes the lights will work correctly and then i'll lose a tail light or turn signal. I tried both plugs on the truck (in the bed and by hitch). Was going to plug it into my SUV and see if it functions the same. I know the truck is right because the boat trailers function correctly.

are there any common spots to start looking? I see a break out box in the pin box area. Guess I need to crack that open and start poking around?

todd
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Old 08-15-2018, 08:57 AM   #2
JRTJH
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The first thing I'd do is pull the lenses from the tail lights and check the bulbs. A loose connection, corroded contact or broken filament would be my first thought. Use di-electric grease to coat all bulb bases and reassemble. If that doesn't fix it, then I'd pull the tail lights and check the wiring connections behind them. They are likely "crimp connected" and those can cause problems. A fast solder connection and appropriate shrink tubing/electrical tape to cover the soldered joints would be more reliable than the faster/cheaper crimped butt joints. Next would be the 7 way connector/junction box on the trailer tongue/pinbox. After that, as a last resort, the actual wiring under/inside the trailer basement. I'd definitely try the tail lights first (bulbs and wiring), pinbox second and only as a last resort would I tear into the trailer wiring in the basement.
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Old 08-15-2018, 08:32 PM   #3
Old Mustanger
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Check your 7 pin connector and put some dielectric grease (or good old fashioned Vaseline) on each contact, may be as simple as that. I once had one that I had to bend the contacts back into place once in a while.
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Old 08-15-2018, 08:54 PM   #4
B-O-B'03
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A friend was having weirdness with his trailer and it turned out the bulbs in the tail/brake lights were LED and after he replaced them, with regular bulbs the gremlins were gone.

-Brian
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Old 08-16-2018, 05:32 AM   #5
flybouy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skiho3020 View Post
Anybody have any sporadic functionality of their tail lights? I have a 2018 326 RDS. It just started doing weird things. sometimes the lights will work correctly and then i'll lose a tail light or turn signal. I tried both plugs on the truck (in the bed and by hitch). Was going to plug it into my SUV and see if it functions the same. I know the truck is right because the boat trailers function correctly.

are there any common spots to start looking? I see a break out box in the pin box area. Guess I need to crack that open and start poking around?

todd
One question, is it always the SAME tail light/turn signal? If it is, I'd suspect the socket or ground in that light as the turn and running lights are 2 different pins on the umbilical. Checking the connectivity and using dielectric grease is a good idea. I had a trailer that would set off the "trailer disconnected" warning in the truck until I applied the dielectric grease. I use it on the trailer power cable connections, outside outlet connection and before changing to all LED lights on the trailer I applied it to every outdoor light socket. Never had any corrosion after application.
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