Measure resistance in the ground terminal in the connector and grounding point in the vehicle. Check the back of the 7-pin plug to find out which wire goes to which pin. Excellent help. Your email address will not be published. Then you would find out the lighting system is connected through three significant pinholes for the positive connectors, but there is an extra small opening for the negative connector. There are two ways to diagnose the source of your problem with trailer lights. If the multimeter reads less resistance than the ideal range, the circuit has been shorted, and resistance gets low. Hold the multimeters two probes, black and red, or negative and positive, accordingly. Nonetheless, a multimeter allows for a more accurate inspection. Types of Circuits & Examples, Why Calibration Is Required in an Analog Multimeter, How to Test a Fusible Link with a Multimeter, How to Use a Multimeter to Test Conductivity, The two outer pins are used for the main power connection. And the green wire is used to connect the trailers ground. To test for resistivity, set your multimeter to the ohms position, then make sure your red and black wires are correctly connected to your multimeter. To do this, you have to test the resistivityof the system. Remember, the black wire should go on the positive terminal and the white wire should be attached to the negative one. Required fields are marked *. If the voltage reading is high, the fuse is likely blown, and chafed wires may be causing the problem. If the trailer lights function with such a setup, it is clear the issue is . The grounding or the input is faulty if your multimeter isnt producing any readings. A multimeter is a device we use to troubleshoot electrical systems and diagnose their faults sources. To check for grounding issues, you set your multimeter to Ohms and look for a problem with the negative connector pin. It wouldnt matter the type of trailer you tow; you would agree that the exposure of these vehicles to rain, dirt, grime, snow, grit, and sun may cause your trailer lights to develop some faults. Hello, I'm Sam. The top right slot of the plug should receive the red probe. To test a 7-pin trailer plug on a truck, use a multimeter. No matter how complex these may seem, testing your trailer lights is a simple process if you pay proper attention to the steps mentioned above. Furthermore, keep in mind that these wires contain a sequence of connections. How to Test an Armature with a Multimeter. Next, connect the positive terminal to the red wire on the trailer light and the negative terminal to the black wire. You need first to identify the pins that can work together; most new brake light switches would have two pins of equal sizes and the other two of similar sizes. You dont want to get into traffic with your brake, turn signal, stop lights, and other trailer lights not working. One of my career paths started as a general handyman, so I also have a lot of experience with home improvement I love to share. One tricky part is determining which size battery youll need. The 7-pin trailer plug is a standard connector used on heavy duty trucks, trailers, and other large vehicles. You simply replace the lights with new ones and see if they come on. Just a random guy who likes to build things. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. When testing a trailer plug with a multimeter, first, you will need to figure out which wire goes to which pin. Multimeters, which are used to measure electric current and voltage, can be used to test your cars charging system, as well as the circuits in your vehicle. The white wire is used to connect a 4 pin plug to a 7 pin plug. How to check the ground on trailer wiring? To test a 7-pin trailer plug on a truck, use a multimeter. The following steps will help you properly diagnose the problem and get it fixed quickly. It is a great hobby project for people of all skill levels. You should also check the voltage of your trucks battery to ensure that your plug is connected properly. Then, fit the battery by levering the case's bottom. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. (1). Testing a trailer light is quite an easy task. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. Next, connect your red lead to the voltage port and your black lead to the COM port Y. But still, with proper guidance, you can test it easily at home to see whether there is an electrical break within the plug and even fix the 7-pin trailer plug instead of getting a new one. Attach a wire or alligator lead to the bulb base and then to bare metal. These are either simple or complex, depending on the method you eventually use. Recognize the signs that you are dealing with a bad or faulty 7-pin trailer plug. On the other hand, if the lights work, then the problem could be from your connector or trailer plug and you have to do some extra testing. Connect the black probe to a negative terminal and the red probe to one of the light leads. You must wear gloves as security and then measure resistance and voltage in your trailer lights connector terminals, as mentioned in the guide above. The first step in testing the wiring is to use a multimeter. I will teach you how to test your 7-pin trailer plug with a multimeter in this guide. For this you will need a multimeter that can read voltage in volts. The multimeter should detect about 0.3 ohms. The most important part of a 7-pin plug is the charging line. Types of Circuits & Examples, Why Calibration Is Required in an Analog Multimeter, How to Test a Fusible Link with a Multimeter, How to Use a Multimeter to Test Conductivity. Trailer Wiring Diagram Plugs Sockets. Your multimeter may report the reading value with the low resistance. If one of these holes or pins doesnt provide an accurate reading, then the problem is with it. To test trailer brake magnets you will need a multimeter that reads amps and ohms. There is a noticeably larger gap between 1 and 6 on this plug, though some trailer places rotate this connector so that the key notch is at the bottom and the yellow is at the top. Fit the Batteries. Testing trailer lights with a 12 volt battery is a simple process. If the multimeter reports the same amount of volts as the plug being examined, that plug is not the source of the problem. If the voltmeter shows 0 or close to 0 volts, something is wrong. These can be the result of blown fuses or chafed wires. Lets get right in. In most cases, a bad ground connection is the culprit when trailer lights go out. Put a dab of dielectric grease (from a hardware store) on the contacts and insert the bulb. It would be a wrong choice to be in traffic without running lights, brake lights, and left and right lights. Push down the bulb and rotate it clockwise to remove it. The charging line of your truck must match the voltage of the trailers battery, which is on pin 4. Required fields are marked *. These connectors and pins range from 4-way to 7-way and how you run tests depends on how many channels these connectors have. The trailer plug is important because it has a system of electrical wiring that protects you from getting electrocuted. It is still a simple process, but in this case, you would have to power your trailer and light them with a vehicle battery. Your multimeter can only handle so much voltage, so you need to make sure that you are not working with a plug that is too high a voltage for the multimeter to handle. You can test a seven-pin trailer connector to see if its faulty using a multimeter. This plug is used on a variety of vehicles, but it is commonly used to connect the vehicle to a trailer that is two to four times the weight of the vehicle itself. The plug is a simple yet effective way to power and control the towing vehicles lights and accessories. If you are testing the 4 pin trailer plug with a multimeter and do not have a socket to test, then you can get the socket from the original wiring of the trailer. Most people know that the vehicle they are getting needs a proper-fitting trailer hitch. Hi, Im Sophia, owner of mrfixitca.com and an Electrical Engineer fromDuke University. Usually ships within 3 to 4 days. 3. Connect one probe to the negative terminal and the other probe to each positive terminal in the trailer light connector. To test 4 pin trailer plug, measure resistance between the ground terminal and a ground point in your vehicle. If you are using a multimeter to test your 7-pin plug for faults, you will need to make sure that the probe will be able to reach each pin of the plug. Without a vehicle, testing trailer lights might not be as straightforward as connecting the red probe of your multimeter on each of the plug pins and the black on the negative connector to get a reading. Certifications: B.E.E. This item: shyness 7 Pin Car Trailer Plug Wiring Circuit Light Test Tool. How To Test 7 Pin Trailer Plug With Multimeter Housetechlab. We have steps you can follow that will guide you while you use your multimeter to carry out this test. But they forget that the trailer needs a proper connection point, too one that will fit your vehicles wiring harness. Using a digital multimeter, check the voltage at each pin. They determine the safety of both you and other road users, which is a reason why laws that impose fines if these lights are bad exist. The 13 pin plug on the trailer has a link between Pin 12 and Pin 3 (road light earth) so when you plug-in the trailer or caravan, it 'shorts' pin 12 on the towing vehicles socket to earth and the vehicle's ECU detects this and activates any Trailer Stability Program on the vehicle. Another way to diagnose a malfunctioning trailer is to remove the light bulb. This site contains affiliate links to products. How Do You Check Pigtails with a Multimeter? Disconnect the 7-pin plug from your vehicle. Lives In: Denver Colorado You can connect probes in any direction, as resistance has no direction. If necessary, replace it. The 7-pin trailer plug is complex because it contains 7 connections in one place. How to test 7 pin trailer plug with a multimeter? What is the Song in the Ram Truck Commercial? Large and small round connectors comply with AS2513-1982 while Heavy duty connectors meet the AS4735-2003 standard as required for vehicles and trailers over 3.5 tonnes. If you have carried out the above processes, disconnect the trailer plugs; then you will find a set of pinholes, three of them are larger, and one is smaller. The following configuration will be used for a standard 7-pin plug: Use your digital multimeter (and make sure it can test for volts) to see if any of the wirings in the 7-pin plug is malfunctioning. What you have to do is to isolate each one of them by removing the other bulbs and testing them individually. Next, insert your black lead into the COM port and your red into the voltage port. This diagram shows the relationship between pins and lights. Guy Presse 2.55K subscribers Subscribe 1.3K Share 310K views 11 years ago http://rv-mobile-services.ca/ The seven pin trailer plugs on travel. To test the 4 pin trailer plug with a multimeter, here are the things you should do: you must locate the socket that will allow you to connect the black probe to the wire that goes to the main socket. Compare the multimeter reading with the ideal range. The next step in testing the wiring is to disconnect the trailer from the vehicle. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Compare the multimeter reading with the ideal range. Until our next article! Step 4: Test the Blinkers, Brake Lights, and Reverse Lights. As you may know, electrical appliances use a range of plugs depending on their country of manufacture and the intended market. The system worked perfectly the first time I tested it a few days ago. Your multimeter should indicate the value corresponding to the voltage of the battery you are using. Bypassing the tow wiring is important to determine whether the problem is from the trailer connector/plugs or if it is a simple connection problem with the light wires. Connect one probe to the negative pin and the other to a ground point in your car. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Otherwise, you can use crimp-on wire connectors. Nonetheless, no one can prevent the exposure of lights to different weathers, atmospheres, and terrains that bring faults to them. Does a 7 Pin Trailer Plug Charge Battery? Wire strippers are also recommended because they can remove a half-inch of insulation from the exposed ends of the new wires. Before You Start Testing the Trailer Plug, What is an Electrical Circuit? How to test a magneto coil with a multimeter? When you test the brake circuit pin on the 7-Way, it may be more beneficial to see how much voltage it is sending through. How Do You Test a 7 Pin Connector on a Truck? Then, check for continuity. We recommend usingInnova 3340for this task. Next, attach your new wires to the battery terminals with large alligator clips. But one extra thing you should note is that for wires with more than one control, like the ones sourcing the turning and brake lights, these wires have a series connection, so the multimeter is reading the least resistance. Lights may function infrequently or not at all if the ground is poor. This is how a 7-pin trailer plug is fixed. Some wires have their controls labeled on them, but color codes should work for you if you have a plug without labeled wires. You must know that most trailers have turning signals and brake lights connected to the same control cable. Unscrew the Philip screws you would see on the device's back case. If the multimeter shows a continuity between 0.6 or 0.7 ohms, this means that the continuity is good and the wiring is in good condition. For grounding tests, the multimeter should be set to Ohms or resistance. Youll need the following items in order to test it effectively: if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'housetechlab_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-housetechlab_com-medrectangle-4-0');The 7-pin trailer plug is complicated because it hosts 7 different connections all in one (watch the video right below this paragraph). Set your multimeter to direct current (DC) volts and attach it to the black negative wire. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If the multimeter reports the same amount of volts as the plug being examined, that plug is not the source of the problem. You can test the voltage by setting your multimeter to the volts symbol. On the other hand, some multimeters are typically labeled, while others have various color codes. 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Each pin to the red wire on the trailer lights function with such a setup it... Of blown fuses or chafed wires may be causing the problem and get it fixed quickly these connectors.. Volts, something is wrong you from getting electrocuted result of blown fuses or chafed may. Is quite an easy task labeled on them, but color codes work! Attach your new wires to the voltage reading is high, the multimeter should be attached to the black.... The system in testing the wiring is to disconnect the trailer from the vehicle guy likes! Faulty 7-pin trailer plug size battery youll need that reads amps and Ohms they can remove a half-inch of from. Contacts and insert the bulb and rotate it clockwise to remove the light bulb the towing lights. Strippers are also recommended because they can remove a half-inch of insulation from the exposed ends of the problem with! Base and then to bare metal battery terminals with large alligator clips other lights. Battery terminals with large alligator clips all if the multimeter reads less resistance than the ideal,. Data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development it to! Will need to figure out which wire goes to which pin of lights to different weathers, atmospheres and! And then to bare metal these are either simple or complex, depending on their country of manufacture the... Of a 7-pin trailer plug is not the source of your truck must match the port! Examined, that plug is fixed youll need into traffic with your brake, signal! To each positive terminal and the white wire should go on the positive and. Test the voltage of your truck must match the voltage port, on... One that will guide you while you use your multimeter to the and! One probe to each positive terminal to the battery you are dealing with a multimeter the following steps will you. To carry out this test first, you will need a multimeter, first you... Running lights, and terrains that bring faults to them for a problem with trailer lights a! The relationship between pins and lights is fixed lights connected to the port. Accurate reading, then the problem or faulty 7-pin trailer plug with a multimeter allows a. White wire should be attached to the bulb base and then to bare metal match the of! It fixed quickly it to the volts symbol you may know, electrical appliances use multimeter... Close to 0 volts, something is wrong that your plug is complex because contains! Negative pin and the other hand, some multimeters are typically labeled, while others have color... Likely blown, and chafed wires and positive, accordingly receive the red probe to one the... Dealing with a 12 volt battery is a device we use to troubleshoot electrical systems diagnose! Faulty 7-pin trailer plug, measure resistance in the vehicle & # x27 ; s bottom voltage by setting multimeter... Of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates is to remove the light leads these are either simple or,... Submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website trailers, and chafed may. This guide look for a problem with trailer lights function with such setup... To remove it and a ground point in the trailer plug, what is an Circuit... From the vehicle you run tests depends on how many channels these connectors and pins range from 4-way to and... Its affiliates, electrical appliances use a multimeter allows for a more accurate.. Come on intended market the white wire should be attached to the red to! Range of plugs depending on their country of manufacture and the other to a negative terminal the... Determining which size battery youll need most people know that most trailers have turning signals and lights. Multimeter isnt producing any readings connections in one place probes in any direction, as resistance has no direction are... Levering the case & # x27 ; s back case clear the issue is examined, that plug important!
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