Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
13
Time Required
45 minutes
Sections
1
- Lights
- 13 steps
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Introduction
The lights on a utility trailer consist of a running light, brake light, and turn signal that are controlled by two wires that run from the tongue of the trailer to the back and connect to the lights.
Before using this guide, search and go through a guide on how to properly use wire strippers to strip the ends of wires.
Also, prior to making the fix, check to make sure the male adaptor for the lights is not plugged into the female adaptor on your vehicle. If not unplugged, there is risk of electrical shock.
After finishing the fix, be sure to plug into your vehicle to ensure proper function of your new trailer lights.
What you need
Step 1
Lights
- Find the wires running from the trailer to the light.
- For my trailer, the wires are connected with wire nuts and then wrapped in electrical tape.
Find the wires running from the trailer to the light.
For my trailer, the wires are connected with wire nuts and then wrapped in electrical tape.
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Step 2
- Remove the electrical tape from the wires and wire nuts.
- Unscrew the wire nuts from the green and brown wires.
Remove the electrical tape from the wires and wire nuts.
Unscrew the wire nuts from the green and brown wires.
Step 3
- Use a ratchet wrench to remove both hex nuts on the bolts mounting the light to the bracket.
Use a ratchet wrench to remove both hex nuts on the bolts mounting the light to the bracket.
Step 4
- Use the ratchet wrench to remove the second set of hex nuts on the bolts from the light going through the mounting bracket.
- Take the white ground wire off of the bolts going through the mounting bracket.
Use the ratchet wrench to remove the second set of hex nuts on the bolts from the light going through the mounting bracket.
Take the white ground wire off of the bolts going through the mounting bracket.
Step 5
- Place your thumbs on the bolts of the trailer light and push with even pressure on both bolts.
- Remove the light and discard it.
Place your thumbs on the bolts of the trailer light and push with even pressure on both bolts.
Remove the light and discard it.
Step 6
- Move to the driver side light on the trailer.
- The process for removing the light on this side is the exact same it is for the light on the passenger side.
- Follow steps 2-6 for removing the light from the driver side.
Move to the driver side light on the trailer.
The process for removing the light on this side is the exact same it is for the light on the passenger side.
Follow steps 2-6 for removing the light from the driver side.
Step 7
- Inspect all the wiring on both sides of the trailer itself and closely look at points of contact where the wires could potentially rub and get damaged.
- The wires should be located in the inner walls of the support beams of the trailer.
Inspect all the wiring on both sides of the trailer itself and closely look at points of contact where the wires could potentially rub and get damaged.
The wires should be located in the inner walls of the support beams of the trailer.
Step 8
- Once the wiring has been examined and is free from breaks or signs of wear, it is time to install the new trailer lights.
- Insert the bolts of the passenger side light into the mounting bracket on the trailer.
Once the wiring has been examined and is free from breaks or signs of wear, it is time to install the new trailer lights.
Insert the bolts of the passenger side light into the mounting bracket on the trailer.
Step 9
- Place a lock washer and a hex nut (included in kit) onto each bolt sticking through the mounting bracket.
- Tighten each hex nut down with a ratchet wrench.
Place a lock washer and a hex nut (included in kit) onto each bolt sticking through the mounting bracket.
Tighten each hex nut down with a ratchet wrench.
Step 10
- For installing the new light on the mounting bracket on the driver side, repeat steps 9 and 10.
For installing the new light on the mounting bracket on the driver side, repeat steps 9 and 10.
Step 11
- Move back to the passenger side light.
- Use a pair of wire strippers to strip the ends of the green and brown wire coming from the newly installed light.
Move back to the passenger side light.
Use a pair of wire strippers to strip the ends of the green and brown wire coming from the newly installed light.
Step 12
- Take the ends of both brown wires and twist them together. Do the same thing with both of the green wires.
- Take a wire nut and screw it onto the brown twisted-together wires. Do the same thing for the green twisted-together wires.
Take the ends of both brown wires and twist them together. Do the same thing with both of the green wires.
Take a wire nut and screw it onto the brown twisted-together wires. Do the same thing for the green twisted-together wires.
Step 13
- Move to the driver side.
- Follow steps 12 and 13 to connect the yellow wires to each other and the brown wires to each other.
Move to the driver side.
Follow steps 12 and 13 to connect the yellow wires to each other and the brown wires to each other.
To test that you were successful, attach the male adapter to your vehicle and test the brake lights and turn signals.
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Author
with 1 other contributor
Matthew Sanders
Member since: 09/17/2020
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Team
University of Memphis, Team S1-G15, Bishop Fall 2020
Member of University of Memphis, Team S1-G15, Bishop Fall 2020
UM-BISHOP-F20S1G15
1 Member
1 Guide authored
