running lights on with shore power and with battery

sidefx · 10-28-2013, 07:43 PM

2006 Wild Wood 26 ft TT: It just started happening. When I plug in the shore power, the running lights come on. The same with the battery. I have disconnected the battery and am leaving the trailer unplugged. I have gone through the fuse box and tightened everything. I have no wires haning anywhere. I bought it used. I have looked everywhere to see if the original owner rigged a switch somewhere to have the running lights come on while camping. The plug to the truck does not have any thing rigged like some folks do. We went from Michigan to Yellowstone, Glacier and back without a problem. This is all since we have been back. I feel that I have a short, or a gremlin somewhere, but how does one get to look at all the wires for inspection? Help!! Does anyone have any ideas because I just dont know what to do.
Sidefx

Buddy Duncan · 10-28-2013, 07:47 PM

I was once shown that if you put a plug fuse between the top 2 pins on your trailer plug, the one you plug into your TV, it will allow your running lights to be on while you're plugged into shore power. The previous owner may have installed something on those 2 lines near the battery.

Timtation · 10-28-2013, 08:18 PM

I think my first check would be the wiring going to the tow vehicle. It is subject to the most flexing and abrasion. If it gets shorted it could cause this problem. The problem almost has to be in this run and I can't envision any cause not having to do with tow connection. Good luck and keep us posted.

raspivey · 10-28-2013, 09:14 PM

Any way you look at it, the tail light wire is making contact with the hot / charging wire between the truck and trailer. I'm willing to be it's shorted in the pigtail plug. That, or something has pinched that harness (most likely between the frame and the hitch).

sidefx · 10-29-2013, 02:59 PM

This is with the truck NOT hooked up and plugged in. I checked the plug and wire and did not observe any pinch. I will give it a closer inspection. If it is not in the pigtail, where do I go from there? Thanks for the suggestions, Guys.

OldCoot · 10-29-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidefx

This is with the truck NOT hooked up and plugged in. I checked the plug and wire and did not observe any pinch. I will give it a closer inspection. If it is not in the pigtail, where do I go from there? Thanks for the suggestions, Guys.

Go to the junction box at the trailer where the pigtail enters the trailer. As stated, there has to be a connection between the charge wire or another 12v hot wire and the running lights or a hidden switch the original owner wired in and you inadvertently flipped.

**wmtire** · 10-29-2013, 03:24 PM

Have you replaced the RV battery recently or did anything where it was disconnected and the wires could have been crossed?

I'm just thinking aloud in case you're powering the negative wire.

WARNING: DO NOT just arbitrarily switch the wires to test, as you will blow the reverse polarity fuses to your converter. You may have it all correct to begin with.

Witch Doctor · 10-29-2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidefx

This is with the truck NOT hooked up and plugged in. I checked the plug and wire and did not observe any pinch. I will give it a closer inspection. If it is not in the pigtail, where do I go from there? Thanks for the suggestions, Guys.

Check to see if you have condudity in your trailer plug anywhere(disconnect the battery first), go to ground I think that should be the center you can find that on the web under 7 wire pig tail. You will have too try each slot. If you are trace it back to where it all ties in and look for a short. Also go to ground on your trailer and test each slot and see if you are getting 12v anywhere ( with the battery on). Match to the wire diagram that will show you what each leg controls. if the hot is touching that wire or shorted it will bring them on. Just like the fuse trick mentioned above.

**wmtire** · 10-29-2013, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddy Duncan

I was once shown that if you put a plug fuse between the top 2 pins on your trailer plug, the one you plug into your TV, it will allow your running lights to be on while you're plugged into shore power. The previous owner may have installed something on those 2 lines near the battery.

I forgot about that Buddy, good suggestion. Besides running a jumper wire in the plug, some people also wire a switch inside the RV to accomplish this. Have you flicked any unknown switches on inside (or even outside) the RV as Buddy pointed out?

They even make a product to do this for you:

RV Glow - Turn your outside camper lights into patio lights.

sidefx · 10-31-2013, 10:23 PM

I looked hi and low for a switch. nada. I know that the battery wires are where they are supposed to be. Now, somewhere I havnt looked is right on the front of the trailer, there is a door. I would have to move the gas bottles to get the door open. I believe that is where the hydrolics are for the slider. I wonder if the pigtail comes up into that box? I will check it out and let you Boys know. I know that it is something weird going on. It was parked in the driveway for a month or 2 before this happened, so there was no new movement or anything. It just happened, then it quit for a week, now it is full time.

raspivey · 10-31-2013, 10:41 PM

You might try looking at both ends of the pigtail. A lot of times, they have a quick connect where the bundle can be unplugged and replaced without splicing wires...it's possible that is working loose and getting shorted there. The other end may have something broken loose inside the actual 7 pin connector itself and may have wires touching there. I would try to unplug the pigtail if possible and then plug into shore power. If the lights don't come on, then the problem is probably with the pigtail.

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