Trailer Lights Not Working

[takenoprisoners]

Got a 2005 Nissan Frontier from my brother-in-law recently. Had to put a hitch and wiring harness on it to pull my li'l boat. Harness went on very easily, as there was a place to plug it in. So I plug it in and toss my boat on it. Lights won't work. Try it on a friend's trailer. Lights don't work.

Bought a tool to let me know what isn't working. Took the harness off and jammed the tool up in the little female plug part. I'm getting juice to a couple of the prongs, but not all. So I'm guessing I need to replace that wiring part that is actually part of the truck. Anyone ever done that? If so, where can I buy that bit of wiring? I can't seem to find a mechanic or trailer person around here willing to figure it out for me. So I'm going to try to do it on my own.

Thanks for your help. And sorry for a lack of fishing updates. Not gone much lately and when I do, I've not pulled much in.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Get your manual out and check all your fuses first.

 

[Rangerman]

Not trying to be a Smart A@$, but make sure you hook your trailer to your tow vehicle then try your lights.
When your trailer sets on the ball it completes the ground.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Haha....I'm amazed how many people don't know that either. I see it all the time.

 

[digitalcb]

Those wiring harnesses just don't work sometimes even though they plug in perfectly.
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Activate whichever function doesn't work, turn signal, brake etc. If it works on your Nissan your fuses are good.</p>

Then probe the wires around the harness with you till you find the one that has power when you turn on that function and doesn't when you turn it off. You'll have to manually splice that into your new harness and clip that wire in the harness so you don't backfeed.</p>

These tester are all you need:
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[Mr. S]

I'm not familiar with Nissan but I do know on my F-150 the trailer light port is on a different flasher and fuse set than the body lighting. So definitely check fuses, flashers and relays. I found the ones to the trailer port in the engine compartment on my Ford.



I'd Rather be emoAngler

 

[takenoprisoners]

Thanks all for the quick responses! To answer a couple: the trailer was on the hitch and I've checked the fuses. Think I'm going to have to splice into the wire. Didn't think about just splicing into the harness. Good idea!

Before I do...how do I check the flashers and relays? My truck blinkers and lights and everything work, so could one of the flashers or relays still be messed up? Thanks again!

 

[Mr. S]

Here is something that may help.

http://www.nissanforums.com/frontier/125760-trailer-wiring-problem.html



I'd Rather be emoAngler

 

[takenoprisoners]

Thanks!

 

[takenoprisoners]

To anyone concerned or who has a Nissan pickup and needs to add some trailer wiring stuff: It's a gigantic pain. Took it to The Pitt Stop in South Pittsburg. They were super nice and helpful. After 5 hours and a couple wrong parts being delivered (Thanks, aftermarket people), I left knowing the right blinker on my boat trailer still won't work. I honestly don't care about the blinker. The reason I mention it is to say if you think you can grab a plug-and-go thing to get your lights working, think again. Apparently when I plugged mine in, it did some sort of feedback and screwed up stuff so that the right blinker just ain't gonna work without some more parts.

The fella there at The Pitt Stop worked nonstop to get it going and I highly recommend anyone go there who is in the area.

I drove 75 minutes one way, sat in the waiting room for the better part of the day, and I'd do it again. They know what they're doing there. Nissan, on the other hand...

(Honestly, I like the truck. I've just heard a lot about them booby-trapping stuff, and looks like they indeed did it on this.)

 

[flpper]

takenoprisoners - 8/19/2015 1:02 AM

To anyone concerned or who has a Nissan pickup and needs to add some trailer wiring stuff: It's a gigantic pain. Took it to The Pitt Stop in South Pittsburg. They were super nice and helpful. After 5 hours and a couple wrong parts being delivered (Thanks, aftermarket people), I left knowing the right blinker on my boat trailer still won't work. I honestly don't care about the blinker. The reason I mention it is to say if you think you can grab a plug-and-go thing to get your lights working, think again. Apparently when I plugged mine in, it did some sort of feedback and screwed up stuff so that the right blinker just ain't gonna work without some more parts.

The fella there at The Pitt Stop worked nonstop to get it going and I highly recommend anyone go there who is in the area.

I drove 75 minutes one way, sat in the waiting room for the better part of the day, and I'd do it again. They know what they're doing there. Nissan, on the other hand...

(Honestly, I like the truck. I've just heard a lot about them booby-trapping stuff, and looks like they indeed did it on this.)

Glad you made the trip. Quinton is a great guy, and Shawn (who does the work) is as good as they come. Miss Kim is a sweetie also! I met Quinton when he was a Lead Mechanic at Mtn. View Nissan. He diagnosed an issue with my 300ZX TT when no one else could. ( Knoxville, Oak Ridge, the other guys in Chattanooga ) Took him 5 minutes; long enough to hear the symptoms, pull a part, change it, and test drive. Done! No one but him has worked on my stuff since until his health issues stepped in.

 

[takenoprisoners]

Glad it worked out well also. It was strange. No one else I could find would touch it or even offer to give it a look. Thankful for folks who know what they're doing!

 

[jg1456]

Check all your grounds! They will give you a fit if they aren't making a good connection.

 

[Buoy-Master]

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jg1456 - 8/18/2015 3:53 PM Check all your grounds! They will give you a fit if they aren't making a good connection.[/QUOTE<span style="font-size: 10px">]</span></p>

Did you read the fix? ?</p>

 

[takenoprisoners]

Buoy-Master - 8/18/2015 10:27 PM

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jg1456 - 8/18/2015 3:53 PM Check all your grounds! They will give you a fit if they aren't making a good connection.[/QUOTE<span style="font-size: 10px">]</span></p>

 Did you read the fix? ?</p>

If I were a betting man...