Trailer Light Problem

[02SurfPathy]

Ok, got a new trailer and picked up with other car and lights on the trailer are fine. Trailer has LED lights.


When connected to my 2002 Pathy, no lights. Connected the tester and lights/turn signals work fine UNTIL connecting the trailer...Nothing/Nada


Suggestions? Before testing with the trailer the lights on the tester are nice and bright


Thanks for any suggestions!

[mdmellott]

Sounds like it could be a short to ground in your Pathfinder trailer wiring. LEDs won't behave if there is a polarity issue.

[02SurfPathy]

I can't get any continuity from ground to the lift-gate latch.....May need to replace the 4 blade connector?

Thoughts? Thanks for the reply!

[VStar650CL]

You have to be careful with using Nissan latch strikers as a ground, a lot of them don't make good (or sometimes any) contact. You're better off checking to one of the bolts under the car.

[02SurfPathy]

I tried the bolts on the trailer hitch but that could have the same issue.

So to ask something stupid.....the white wire is the Ground correct? The one pin that is not covered.

I just don't know why the tester showed Lights and both blinkers....

What am I missing? not me personally :-)

[VStar650CL]

That's correct, the exposed terminal is ground unless somebody miswired the connector. Brown is running lights, Yellow is left turn/stop, green is right turn/stop. Using a test lamp, it should light up between Brown-White with the running lights on, Yellow-White and Green-White with the brakes applied. If that all checks out, the problem is in the trailer connection. If none of them light, that probably means White isn't making contact with the chassis.

[02SurfPathy]

Well that all makes sense about the test bulb which would serve the same purpose as the tester correct?
If so that would say there is a problem with the trailer wiring.
BUT since the other car works fine and mine seems to have a ground issue.....I want to learn more to fixing the ground problem then test.....
I'm thinking the ground problem is in the 4 wire flat connector. Ground connector is very corroded...even tried bushing with a thin wire brush....
The wiring is in a flexible conduit and about 4-5 inches away there is a connection with a fuse!
I hope I can pull a little wire to replace the connector or from what I've seen purchasing a connector then splice in the wires.

[VStar650CL]

Corrosion would certainly explain it. Sometimes the ground pin on those molded connectors will break loose inside the rubber, too. Sounds like it's time to replace the vehicle connector.

[02SurfPathy]

Yup.....That's it!

I cleaned the ground connector corrosion off and still nada...

Removed the connector from the mount and can bend the ground wire, very very little movement and continuity comes and goes!

Grabbed a connector (car side is hard to find) and it's got the lights which would be great but it won't fit in the mount....I had not removed the connector from the car when I picked up the replacement connector so now I will take the mount with me to make sure it fits.

Gonna have to look some more.

Will report back once I get back to it....probably this weekend.....

Thanks for the help!

[VStar650CL]

[02SurfPathy]

Good Grief!

Finally had time and weather to work on it....

1. 4 Wire connector ground wire had a poor connection at base of connector. RPL 4
Wire connector & heat shrink-ed (plus added umbilical cover over wires and solder connections).

2. Real bad culprit: IN Line Fuse! One side (power side) was corroded. Replaced & covered with dialectic grease .

I'm now towing a new trailer that looks like a Christmas Tree! (Bright LEDs)

Thanks for all the help!

[VStar650CL]

[02SurfPathy]

no answer needed....sold it and bought a new one