Brake light out

Hi everyone,

Need some guidance here. We just came home with our first Trailmanor 2004 2720 sl. Super happy about this. But...the left brake light isn't working. Or the blinker. The running light works. We switched out the bulb with the good one so it's not the bulb. Any ideas? We are new to Trailmanor so we will be on this forum a lot. Help please?

Thank you.
Mary

[Padgett]

I'd start by checking for continuity from the Bargman left turn/brake to ground. If OK I'd check the TV wiring for power when hazards are on. If not I'd check the plug for a broken wire first, is the most likely spot.

If TV is OK and no continuity on TM, the next easy junction point is behind the bottom fridge access panel.

(am assuming it is an 1157 and not a LED replacement).

Thank you! We need lots of help. We know very little about this camper. Hopefully this is a simple fix.

[kdrickard]

Hi,

I had the same problem when I doing a ton of maintenance on my 2004 2720. Part of the problem was that the plastic tabs on the taillight were brittle and broke when I tried to check the bulbs (both lights), so ordered and installed new taillights ($20 for both plus silicon calk). They came with new bulbs.

The bargeman 7 pin two vehicle connector was also a bit hit and miss so I needed to clean that as well. Then as mentioned a $10 automotive continuity tester can help with lots of tasks on your TM. Hook your TM up to your Tow Vehicle (TV) and check for continuity with your tester. Turn your hazard lights on etc. and see if the tester lights up. If the tester does light up (flash), bulbs or bulb contacts are likely the problem, if not trace it back to the 7 pin trailer connection.

Kevin

[commodor47]

One more suggestion: use a wire jumper with one end connected to (touching) the outside of the bulb socket (brake and directional) and the other end touching a good ground source (clean metal and/or bolt) while the TV is connected via the Bargman and the TV brake pedal is depressed. I had a similar issue and it turned out to be a bad socket ground (since my circuit uses the TM skin as ground). Over time the ground screw oxidizes preventing a good ground. I solved the problem by installing a slightly larger ground screw.

Dick

[Padgett]

I just turn the hazard flashers on, easier than holding the brake pedal.

Or can just jumper the Bargman 12v to the brake/turn light.

[ShrimpBurrito]

As Dick experienced, I think the reason for this happening is almost universally a bad ground connection. I too just had one of my lights go out completely on one side (tail, brake, and signal).

I removed the fixture from the TM, and immediately found the problem. There were thin metal strips on the back of the fixture that were attached to the socket and pressed up against the TM to provide a ground. A lazy way to do it, IMHO, given the pain/crystal coating on the TM. Anyway, they had rusted out, so there was no ground.

The easiest way to fix the problem would be to replace the entire fixture, since they are so cheap ($5?) and the plastic gets brittle with time as well. However, I was about to leave for a trip, so I had no time to wait for delivery of a new fixture. So I just made 2 jumper wires a few inches long with small screw lugs on each end to replace the connectivity of the rusted out strips. One lug pressed directly up against the TM skin (after cleaning the skin), and the other pressed up directly against another piece of metal that was connected to the socket on the outside of the fixture. All lugs were attached with screws in existing holes.

Fixed the problem. I'd check there first. You'll need some caulking to reseal the fixture to the TM when you reinstall.

Dave