Thread: Tracking down trailer short

any hints?

While I was at the auto shop getting help with my carb fitting I replaced a back lense and all the bulbs that seemed to be "out". As soon as I turned on my lights it looked awesum.. running lights up the sides..etc.. Then I'm not sure if it was when I hit the turn signal or brakes but the running lights fuse blew (15a). I swapped it with the 15a radio fuse.. ran for a few mins then blew again.... seems odd ..

anyway.. I have a short presumably in the trailer. I have an idea on how to proceed but figured I'd ask the experienced bunch before I run off trying to re-invent the wheel. No sense going the hard way..
Thanks in advance..

seems once I get all this stuff fixed /sorted it will be time to sell the boat for a nother one

From my experience, the best place to start looking when it comes to boat trailer light issues, is the ground (or lack of it). Most of my problems have always been ground related. I took the advice on this site and ran ground wires from my truck directly back to all the lights (instead of using the trailer as the ground). I also put LED lights on the trailer. They were worth the added expense. My boat and trailer were brand new this year, but they were blowing the fuse on my truck. Turned out that even though the lights were "sealed", they were still getting water in them and would blow my truck fuse. LEDs fixed that. Hope this helps.

As for as i'm concerned I would just pull all new wires and be done with it .. It's quicker than fooling around and looking for a rub..

Both excellent advice, also U can pull new wires faster that trying to pull one wire & look for short & while pulling new add a x'tra ground wire on each side & u be good to go-go I u got $ add led's u will never look back. Only other thing & this probably does not apply here but if this was a first time using a toyota or some ford pick em ups with a 3 lite system u would need a special adapter wire hook up at the truck.

Thanks folks, I'll have a go at it, if I don't find the obvious stuff I'll run new wiring.

i've had many trailer lights issues in the past and i agree with crappiewisdom. if the bulbs are not blown it is more than likely the ground.

The ground will not cause a fuse to blow. One of the hot wires is hitting metal and popping the fuse. Just pull new wire and tie wrap it tight along the run of the trailer underneath. Make some good grounds and forget about it for five or six years.

pull new wires i a old garden hose

Spent like 2 or 3 hours hard working on trying to find my problem with blowing fuses and lights, wiring etc.Finally after crawling on grass in 90 degree weather and sweating, I spent like 30 bux for a new all wire and lights kits and less than 2 hours taking my time all new wires and lights and problem solved.I have seen the lights not work though because of not a good ground too but not that short out the fuse though.

I agree that most of the time changing the wiring is the best option.

The OP mentions running for a few minutes, then blowing. If it does this while just sitting, it might be something besides a short, and might be worth checking the pins on the connectors with an ammeter to see what is drawing excessive current.

A good tip for finding a short in the wiring is to tune an AM radio to a spot where there is no station. Move the wiring with your hand, starting at the lights, and you'll hear static in the radio if you move a section that has a short.