Trailer wiring and Water Seperators

[Big dreams]

I am finalizing some things with the rig for season opener next weekend.  I noticed my passenger side blinker did not work.  The running lights work fine however, the blinker portion wouldn't blink.  I disconnected the wire and noticed it had three wires (Black, Green, and White).  Black is the hot, white is the ground...What does the Green wire do?  I am assuming this is the issue with the blinker as the amps to the light are the same as the left side which works fine.  Plus it is a new light that worked last year.  Anyone have any ideas?  I think it is a lose connection on the Green wire side but want to check before I cut and do a water tight splice.

Also, I am not seeing a water seperator on my '99 Triton.  Would that be hidden or after market for that year?  Is it really needed if it doesn't have one? 

[customfishn]

As far as the trailer If the running light works the blinker should work it sounds like it could possibly just be a bad bulb maybe,  Is it a 2 element bulb?  What motor is on the Triton?  Merc efi had the screw on filter seperator the Opti has the aluminum system on the side of the motor which has 2 small drain valves at the bottom which should have a rubber hose going from one valve to the other.   

[djkimmel]

Usually (occam's razor) the turn signal not working is the bulb if all wires are connected. Try the light from the other side and see if it works or not over there for a check before you delve into wires. I always keep a spare and the first thing I do if I don't see a broken wire is try the spare light.

I'm only guessing based on your information - the green wire is probably the wire that powers the turn/brake filaments of the bulb. Green is fairly standard for the right side blinker/brake light function on many trailers.

[motocross269]

Here is a Link to a Link on trailer wiring...

http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=10910.0

[Big dreams]

As far as the trailer If the running light works the blinker should work it sounds like it could possibly just be a bad bulb maybe,  Is it a 2 element bulb?  What motor is on the Triton?  Merc efi had the screw on filter seperator the Opti has the aluminum system on the side of the motor which has 2 small drain valves at the bottom which should have a rubber hose going from one valve to the other.   

It is a Merc. EFI.  So this one should be inside the utility compartment on the boat right?

[Lightningboy]

If it's a 3 Liter Merc, (225 hp up) it's under the cowling toward the front of the powerhead on the starboard side.

[Big dreams]

No, it is a 200 hp EFI.

[customfishn]

It still should be under the motor cowl, its a spin on filter.

[Big dreams]

I have been messing with the right blinker on my trailer for weeks now with no success.  I have checked the voltage and it is the same as the left blinker.  I switched lights and that is not the problem.  I re-grounded the lights on the right side and ensured each connection was sprayed and greased.  I am beginning to think it is in the connection from the boat to the truck.  I would like to check the power output from the truck but it has 7 metal outputs.  Which output does what? 

The light comes on with no problem, it just doesn't blink.  If I look real close, I can see it trying to blink.  The blink is so faint that you can't see it unless your eyeball is on the lense.

Thanks Guys!

[Redbone]

Check your fuses under the hood.  Mine were acting up like that last year.  I ended up switching to LED's this year to make sure that was not a problem.  Long story short I ended up having a blown fuse under the hood.  I really think this was the culprit from last years trouble.  They have been working like a champ ever since.

[stackenem]

check the hookup between the truck and trailer if any of the connectors are corroded it will not give a good connection. Just take a piece of emery board and clean them up. Had the same problem this spring and that took care of it. Look for green and make it clean

[Big dreams]

I had the neighbor bring his truck over and I had the same issue.  I checked all of the connections again and looked at the 7 prong connector and did not see any green corrosion.  How much for a new trailer wiring kit?

[Redbone]

I purchased the two LED brake lights from Gander for a little over $60.

I would get something to test your connections first.  For around 15 bucks at pep boys you can get something that will work just fine. Start at your truck and work back.  I would not work from the back forward.  You could end up buying new lights and still have the same problem.

[thedude]

i've rewired my boats many times, however, since i switched the wiring to use outdoor extension chords, i haven't had any trouble. Get 2 20' outdoor chords at menards and cut the ends off. You'll need to splice the front into a new wiring harness, but they last forever and the mice or sharp spots on your trailer won't wear through them. Sounds like you might have a short on the one side if the fuse is good and the other side works.

Do you get full driving, blinker and break lights on the other side? also check voltage to ground on the truck at the harness:

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring.aspx

[Big dreams]

I appreciate all of the feedback on this wiring issue.  I was able to locate the problem late last night.  After dissassembling the plug on the boat, I found two wires that had come loose.  One was green and the other was blue.  I don't know what the blue does as every light works on the trailer besides the right blinker.  After hooking them back up, all of the lights work like they are suppose to!  Simple fix that took more time than it should have to fix.  I always thought about the plug but I couldn't see how the wires would be bad as no water gets on the plug.  I figured it was directly related to the light some how.  Now I can stop stressing about the lights and start fishing!  Thanks again to all that replied.

[Lightningboy]

The blue wire connects your back up lights on the truck to a reverse lockout solenoid.  Backing up a trailer with surge brakes will activate the brakes.  The solenoid is powered when the truck's reverse lights come on, shutting off the trailer brakes.

Even if you don't have trailer brakes, most wiring harnesses come wired for it.

BTW- in one of my rare strokes of genius, I put two amber clearance lights on the back of my trailer, wired to the reverse lockout mechanism.  That way I can tell if it's my trailer comming down the ramp in the dark after an evening Tx.  Of course I did that the week after I almost drove onto another guy's trailer in the dark because he had a black Avalanche too...

[djkimmel]

That would have been pretty funny! That's something I would do!!! I don't feel so old now!! Good tip.