Trailer-Light wiring Question

Hi Gang.
Just purchased a new-to-me travel-trailer,and I'm going through,and replacing what needs to be replaced.The tail-lights are cracked and rotted,so they will be going for sure.
I'm just going through the plug connectors on both the trailer and my van,and I have a question...

The travel-trailer checks out ok,as far as the wiring being connected fron the plug(on the trailer),back to the tail-lights...I used a long piece of wire,and with a meter,I checked for continuity,and it's all good to go.No breaks in the trailer wiring.
Now I'm checking the plug on my van(not connected to the trailer),using a 12volt test-light,I can get power to the test-light with park lights on,but I get nothing for brake-light or signal-light.
The last time I used my van to tow my little utility trailer,all lights worked,and nothing has changed since.
Anyway,just to be sure I'm testing things properly on the van plug,can someone just varify that I only need to be checking each prong(contact) in the plug,ONE AT A TIME,or do I need to be making contact on more than one prong at a time,to test for brakelight and signals?(in a series,or parallel?)

My testlight is grounded,and like I said,I DO get power when I touch the contacts in the plug,but when I have the signal-light switch on,I get no flashing on the testlight on ANY of the contacts.
The signal lights ARE flashing on the van,btw.Everything works perfectly on the van.

Am I testing this properly,or??
(The plug in question,btw,is a 7-prong,round)
Thanks Campers:laugh:

Near as I can tell you are testing correctly. Check teh trailer harness on the van. Depending on who installed it, there may be a section or sections where the wire insulation has rubbed against a body panel, frame, or anything else a car is made of and that will eventually lead to a short.


Hope this helps.

www.etrailer.com/faq_wiring.aspx

Well after tracing wires from the plug on the rear bumper, allll the way up to the dash...I found the problem.
Yup...some stupid WINDOW-LICKER went and snipped the wires that attach to the trailer-brake control unit!:ohmy:
Hooked them back up and all is good.

(note to self...stop snipping wires that you MIGHT use one day):laugh:


Yes,it was me that did it.I was having issues with my remote-start/alarm unit last year,and I was "tidying-up" to make room,to get to the unit itself,to check it out.
Fixed one problem,while creating another on for my near future,lol

And I can't BELIEVE that none of YOU GUYS could figure that one out...I'm SHOCKED!:ohmy:


:laugh:

wait a min, we can figure just about anything out exept Window Lickers, if you read the fine print in the form section it says just that,,lol


glad you got it fixed

Anyone can make a mistake, but it takes balls to admit to the mistake on a forum! :laugh:

Glad you got it fixed!