Caravan road lights problem

Author
Discussion

Kenty

Original Poster:

5,029 posts

174 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Anyone out there who might know the solution to this problem?
Side lights, indicators and brake lights all work individually but when two are used at same time all the bulbs light up - for instance, with side lights on and brake is pressed the side lights dim and the indicators also light up! Side lights on, indicator used and side lights also flash. It seems to me there is a track back to neutral/earth somewhere, am i correct?

Tried so far -
all light fittings removed and checked for water/tracking, all clear - no difference
new caravan 7 pin plug fitted

Bill

52,472 posts

254 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Sounds like a poor earth connection, possibly in the tow car.

ColinM50

2,630 posts

174 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
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Definitely a false earth. Check trailer and car

marshal_alan

432 posts

177 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
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deffo a short somewhere, get the multimeter out, would try plugging the car into another trailer or caravan to eliminate the towcar. be warned this can be a right pain to sort

Nigel Worc's

8,121 posts

187 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
marshal_alan said:
deffo a short somewhere, get the multimeter out, would try plugging the car into another trailer or caravan to eliminate the towcar. be warned this can be a right pain to sort
Unlikely to be a short as they wouldn't work individually, it is much more likely to be a bad earth (it isn't really earth, it is the 0 volt return), as others have said.

Kenty

Original Poster:

5,029 posts

174 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for info, still working through it, all good advice. Your right it is a right pain.

Tunku

7,703 posts

227 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
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If you have any dual filament bulbs in eg. rear light/brake light combo, check they are correctly fitted, plus - check both filaments are ok. I had one of these bulbs on a motorbike and the bulb failed with one filament touching the other which meant when I pressed the brake, my headlights came on.

Kenty

Original Poster:

5,029 posts

174 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
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Thanks Tunku I'll check that, there are two of those.