New 7 pin connector not working properly?

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New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby DryHeatDan » Tue Mar 16, 2021 1:23 pm

I just had a brake controller and 7 pin connector installed Monday and when I went to test the connector with my TTT everything worked properly except the turn signal and brake light on the passenger side. The rear right light comes on when I turn on the headlights but it doesn't respond to the turn signal and brakes. Does this sound like a trailer problem or a connector installation problem?
:NC
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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby rjgimp » Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:01 pm

Could be either. My gut leans toward it being a trailer problem. You can easily test lighting circuits in the trailer without having it hitched up.
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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby DryHeatDan » Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:32 pm

Thank, Rob. Sorry but I'm brand new at this, how do I test the trailer lighting circuits?
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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby twisted lines » Tue Mar 16, 2021 3:03 pm

There are (three styles) and they fit but dont work correctly together.
Racking up; And Rapin foam
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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby twisted lines » Tue Mar 16, 2021 3:04 pm

There are (three styles) and they fit but dont work correctly together.
Check your light bulb first, one element out of the two would cause exactly this........
Racking up; And Rapin foam
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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby tony.latham » Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:42 am

You could check the tow vehicle with a trouble light, but if that's a headscratcher, get one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Trailer-Wiring-Circuit-Tester/dp/B0066CGLS6/ref=asc_df_B0066CGLS6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312061979255&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17462407368103563209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029516&hvtargid=pla-567611324560&psc=1

But if you know of another trailer with known working lights, you could test your new wring job with that. :frightened:

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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby Tom&Shelly » Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:07 am

tony.latham wrote:You could check the tow vehicle with a trouble light, but if that's a headscratcher, get one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Trailer-Wiring-Circuit-Tester/dp/B0066CGLS6/ref=asc_df_B0066CGLS6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312061979255&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17462407368103563209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029516&hvtargid=pla-567611324560&psc=1

But if you know of another trailer with known working lights, you could test your new wring job with that. :frightened:

Tony


Bet somebody sells one that goes the other way (I deliberately didn't look before posting), but a few years ago, that would have been a neat thing to develop and sell as a little electronics kit:

Little box that takes 12 vdc (maybe from AA cells), and some switches to turn on turn signals, running lights, brake lights, brake, etc.

Tom
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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby Tom&Shelly » Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:19 am

Hmm, he's one, but , YIKES!

https://www.truckspring.com/products/Trailer-Wiring-Circuit-Tester-Tekonsha__8010.aspx

Too sofistimacated, with a price tag to match!

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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby rjgimp » Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:37 am

Tom that is a spectacular machine but YIKES indeed!

DryHeatDan, I'm certainly no pro at this either, I just know enough to get myself into trouble. The item Tony suggested is a fantastic item for anyone who regularly tows to have in their toolbox and it is quite inexpensive. They are commonly available anywhere you find trailer towing accessories. You plug that into the connector and the lights will tell you what things (signal, tail, brake, etc) are working from the tow vehicle side as you activate them.

If your only problem is the stop/tail feature on the right side and everything else works properly that tends to suggest the problem is in the trailer. It IS possible that the bulb in that position just happened to go bad, even though it may have been working fine the week before you had the connector installed on the vehicle. There might also be debris in the bulb socket or a broken wire in that circuit anywhere between the bulb and the connector.

You can also use something like this...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F2GWNRV/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07F2GWNRV&pd_rd_w=QoS5G&pf_rd_p=4269e1a0-a218-4fbd-9748-1cd337d2f2a5&pd_rd_wg=8L0Lv&pf_rd_r=QGCK5R2VX40HNN2C9ZFZ&pd_rd_r=2006a46c-a977-4d2e-bf14-699ae8526fc9&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzNE5HNUVTN1lTOEtSJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjM2MjYwMVVHUEg3ODU4S08wQiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjEwOTg1MU9BVThPSE1SV1YxQyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
...to test the circuits in the trailer. There are a few different varieties of these. You can use one that contains a small battery to test for continuity or one without to test the condition of a circuit using the vehicle's power.

All things considered, I would first try replacing that one bulb... :thinking:
-Rob


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just as soon as the steering committee gets around to scheduling one!
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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby Socal Tom » Thu Mar 18, 2021 8:17 am

I’m a fan of these

https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Tool ... B0002KO1H6
The old school test light. You can do so much with them, they are cheap and low tech.
Odds are the issue your having is with the trailer. Be sure to check the grounds. In my experience 98.987% of trailer light problems are ground related.
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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby Socal Tom » Thu Mar 18, 2021 8:28 am

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Re: New 7 pin connector not working properly?

Postby swoody126 » Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:24 pm

DHD, i just posted a wiring diagram and plug pin diagram on Capebuild's connection thread above

check it out

if you don't already have a circuit testor get one

if you're going to be pulling a trailer you need one

https://www.amazon.com/OctagonStar-Circ ... 2124&psc=1

sw
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