Preperation for Hell

[Shadow Catcher]

We will be attending the TearJerjers Gathering in Hell Michigan this coming weekend. I had a bit of a problem this winter with snow and Ice getting into the 7 prong plug and shorting so that one of the turn signal lights was on (weird). Saturday I decided to hook up the trailer and check lights and brakes. I got a short indicator on the brake controller and as the weather was getting less than good decided to take it to the shop of an individual who does RV repair. I took it in in the morning yesterday and he had it finished by 4:30. The problem was the ground connection in the plug.
I had the heart attack last year when I was working on that plug and connection under the tear so I am just a bit gun shy about frustrating electrical problems (operant conditioning).
Sam has the test box and could find the problem quickly and did, and the weather is less than nice (not as bad a further south). I still have to flush the antifreeze out of the system but every thing else checks out.
Hope the weather improves!

[Woodbutcher]

Glad you got it fixed. Have a good time in Hell.......( I know I have told people to go there before, but this is the first time I have said Have a good time)

[Shadow Catcher]

Thanks, I just hope weather cooperates. One of the things I should have said, I am always amazed and how much difference brakes make, even on the flat and level trip to the shop. Ours is at about 1600# and the Subaru brakes are good enough for the car but the lack of stop is scary with the trailer on. Particularly in the wet!

[Dale M.]

I had one of those weird problems with my 7 pin connector on my car carrier... Was coming back from delivering a car and cruise control dropped out.... Could not get it to reset... Looked at dash and both turn signal indicators where on steady and LED was lit on brake controller....It was one of those "What the ...." moments.... Got off free way and unplugged trailer and started out again everything was normal with TV..... Next off ramp I got back off and plugged in trailer as it was getting dusk and I wanted trailer illuminated.... And problem was back.... After a bit though first thing I noticed was turn indicators were off, after a bit LED on brake controller when off.... Then tried cruise control and it was operational.... Dont know what happened, but if "Fixed" itself... NOT REALLY..... Hate idea of cutting into nice molded cable but all I can thing of is bad connection/short in seven pin.... Probably had shorted between 12 volt supply (charge while towing lead) to charge brake away battery for brakes and it shorted to brake light circuit.... Curiously it did not engage electric brakes though....

Dale

[Shadow Catcher]

The connector on mine is a Pollak which is removable/repairable/cleanable.

[bobhenry]

Hey Dale was it wet and rainy ?

They can do stupid things when water get inside. I have taken a heavy duty gallon freezer bag and cut enter and exit holes and then installed and zipped it up the taped the devil out of the openings to eliminate the infiltration of water, snow, and slop. ( Here in Indiana in the winter the salt doesn't do the connectors any favors either)

Worked for me

[Dale M.]

Totally dry evening....And I usually make a point when unhooking the connector is pointed down to keep from collecting moisture... Have new connector on bench...Hmmm, maybe I should change it out anyway..

Dale