My boat trailer lights worked before I pulled my boat out. After that the lights are dead. What do I do?

Question

Before pulling the boat out , one side of the trailer lights were hanging down and broken. The other side was working good. Went to store for a new bulb and the lights still do not work. Need to fix this cause I have a oil leak on the outdrive.
thanks.

Answer 1

First, you need to check your "Pig Tail" on your truck, use a Test Light. Brown is Tail Lights and Green and Yellow are Left/Right Blinkers and Brake Lights. If, this work then look at the trailer. I like to do this with a battery or you can use a battery charger. Two jumper wires (I have two wires with Alligator Clips). First connect Ground (Negative) to the trailer be sure in have a clean connection. Next connect to your Brown and ALL lights should work, this includes any side lights. Use your test light and remove covers to see if it light when connected to the metal on the bottom of the bulb, check it clean (I just scrape the metal with a small knife until it shine). Then check the Yellow and Green. I not remember, I think yellow is left blinker and green is right. The Blinkers are also your Brake lights. Clean metal to get them working. Remember the Trailer has to be connected to the ball to get ground. There is a white wire to do this, but, most not connected as it ground on the ball. If, the inside of the hitch or ball are rusted spray with some WD-40 hitch it up and drive around and see if everything start working.

Answer 2

With the situation you describe it sounds like your trailer light fuse is blown. If on a pick up truck it's usually under the hood.

Could be a broken wire that runs from the broken light.

To avoid the problem, once you get it figured out, unplug the trailer lights before backing in the water and make sure they drain out before plugging them back in.

Answer 3

if your light was hanging off and broken, you will prolly need a new one you can buy a trailer light kit at an auto parts store for under $50. ALWAYS unhook the lights b4 you back in, this will stop them from shorting. you prolly have a problem with your ground, especially if it is an old trailer with rust on it.

Answer 4

LOL!!! simply put the boat back on the trailer, take it back to the house, and have a puff and a shot...you don't need to be boating anyway! ps-sell it...the gears are probably shot, too.