Docking light won't turn off

[Howie]

5er docking light above hitch will not turn off and the switch that supposedly controls it seems to be ok when I checked continuity at the legs. I noticed there is a red and a white wire combined together on one leg and another wire on the other leg. Removing the wires from the legs does not cause the light to go off so my assumption is that the switch is not the problem unless I am missing something. The wires appear to head directly to the light but disappear into the nose. Any ideas on what to look for.

When I first purchased the unit last week I noticed the light was on and I flipped the switch a couple of times and then pushed the switch out of bracket and the light went off and the switch turned the light on and off as it should only to come back on this week and now I can't turn it off.

I am not very electrical experienced but this doesn't make sense to me.

[Alpine]

Strange indeed. If your RV came with a "remote control"... I've read where it can play games with the different functions associated with each item. If so give that a try.

[Ductape]

I had this problem on my trailer last year. Moisture had worked its way into the switch and caused corrosion inside the switch. I ended up replacing the assembly as it was easier than trying to replace just the switch.

[JRTJH]

Two actions to try:

First, locate the remote control. Find the function "Lights" on the remote, turn it off. Then the switch should work. There is a "lockout" in the remote control "main box" that prevents the manual switches from operating any function when the "remote system" is active.... This prevents damage from a situation where the remote is being used and another person uses the manual switch. Both being pressed would "short out" the remote and damage the equipment.

Second, if the RV is used and you don't have the remote, remove all battery and shore power from the trailer. That means disconnect the batteries completely and unplug the shore power cord. Short out the battery cables (NOT THE BATTERY, BUT THE CABLES) by touching them together. That will dissipate any charge left in any of the wiring/components. Let the trailer sit in that condition for 10-15 minutes. then reconnect the batteries, plug in shore power and see if the manual switches will operate the light. If it does, great, if not, then the problem is likely not the remote system, but a wiring/switch problem and more troubleshooting is needed.

We have at least 4 or 5 times each year, the same question and almost always, once the member finds his remote and turns the "offender off", things work as they should.

[Howie]

Thank you for all your replies! My remote was the solution. Even though there is no sub-menu when I press the "Light" icon and it acts like nothing happens, it did turn off the docking light so all is well and the electrical demons continue to mystify me.