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Old 12-07-2015, 08:52 PM   #1
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Brake Light and Turn Signal Issues

I have a 2013 Sunseeker 3170DS. It was inspected 2 weeks ago and on a recent trip all lights and signals checked out prior to the trip. Today, on the way to temporary storage, my wife driving behind me, noticed that the brake lights and turn signal only only worked on the passenger side. The running lights were lit, but the driver's side was twice as bright as the passenger side. I have coverage for repair, but, am very curious as what may be the issue.

Also, what bulbs and how many are standard brake and turn signals, I think a #1157 is involved? Also, as long as I'm looking into buying extra bulbs, what bulb is used for the front top and side running lights.

Any chance there is a FR guide for what bulbs this model takes?

Thanks for the help and insight. I'm very new at this and so much to learn...

Tom
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Old 12-08-2015, 02:39 AM   #2
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Sometimes the to a repair facility is more costly and the time you spend....
I would pull the left and right lenses off and see if the same bulbs are in the L&R. Check for poor connections and voltage tests.$ 5.00 for two bulbs is cheap in relation to dragging it back and forth.
Good Luck....


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Old 12-09-2015, 01:10 PM   #3
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Couldn't find an easy explanation of the problem. Dealer has it now for warranty repair.
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Old 12-09-2015, 01:18 PM   #4
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A DMM is a very useful tool to a RV'r.
Good Luck


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Old 12-10-2015, 01:46 PM   #5
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We had some strange and intermittent tail light problems on our 2012 Solera including the bright/dim business. Turned out to be a well hidden defective circuit board that FR called a converter/combiner. Suggest you contact Mike Jankowski who is warranty manager for Sunseeker as well as Solera. (mjankowski@forestriver.com) He was extremely helpful in resolving our problem.
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Old 12-10-2015, 01:49 PM   #6
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Light problem

You may be looking at a ground issue for that light assembly.
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Old 12-10-2015, 04:20 PM   #7
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You may be looking at a ground issue for that light assembly.
+1 on the ground. But dealer allready has it.
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Old 12-10-2015, 10:30 PM   #8
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What's a DMM?
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Old 12-10-2015, 10:31 PM   #9
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Digital Multimeter


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Old 12-10-2015, 10:32 PM   #10
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Used for voltage/amp/ ohm tests


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Old 12-10-2015, 10:33 PM   #11
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Digital multimeter.



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Old 12-11-2015, 01:12 AM   #12
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I recently had issues like this... and found I had crimped/cut my trailer hookup cable during a too sharp turn.

BTW there are really only 3 light circuits on most trailers:
A) the tail/marker circuit which is fed to both sides in back
B) the left turn/stop/flasher
C) the right turn/stop/flasher

Fastest way to check lights? Turn on the parking lights and 4-way flashers.

If an entire tail goes out --> check ground
If only stop/turn goes out --> check bulb, then socket power, then truck power
Same deal for a tail light out with working stop/turn --> bulb, socket, truck

Voltmeter can to this but so can a basic test light.
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Old 12-11-2015, 09:07 AM   #13
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Thanks to all for the help. The dealer tested the wiring for bad grounds, loose wires, etc. and found something in the bulb, part of one of the filaments of the left 1157 bulb bridged over to the other filament without actually breaking the filament and caused a short of some type? I have the bulb and you can see the bridge.

He said in 40 years he's never seen anything like that. Also, there was an incorrect bulb in one of the left sockets. Replaced both bulbs and everything appears back to normal. Now, is there some underlying issue that caused this, don't know? I guess I'll need to watch this for a bit.

I did drop an email to Jankowski at FR, but no reply as yet.
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Old 12-11-2015, 09:50 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by LTRVing View Post
Thanks to all for the help. The dealer tested the wiring for bad grounds, loose wires, etc. and found something in the bulb, part of one of the filaments of the left 1157 bulb bridged over to the other filament without actually breaking the filament and caused a short of some type? I have the bulb and you can see the bridge.

He said in 40 years he's never seen anything like that. Also, there was an incorrect bulb in one of the left sockets. Replaced both bulbs and everything appears back to normal. Now, is there some underlying issue that caused this, don't know? I guess I'll need to watch this for a bit.

I did drop an email to Jankowski at FR, but no reply as yet.
My guess would be inexpensive, subpar import bulbs.
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Old 12-12-2015, 09:11 AM   #15
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Hope it's that simple. Will be buying good bulb supply today.
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Old 12-12-2015, 10:35 AM   #16
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Yeah bulb crossing filaments is freak. Don't worry about it.

I would look at as an opportunity to upgrade to LED bulbs.
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