Why Wont Reverse Lights of 1990 Coleman Chesapeake Camper with 4-Way Connector Work

Question:

Hello We have 1990 Coleman Chesapeake Camper. There are two issues. We have a 4 pin connector. I cleaned the rusty ground from the drivers side tail light but i cant find the ground for the passenger side. It doesnt have the same connection to the frame as the drivers side does. I found the connection in the light assembly then it goes behind the rear fiberglass panel to the left and goes up the left rail to the front of the camper. Any help would be appreciated. 1. Both reverse lights are not working 2. Passenger side tail light looks very bright is if the brakes are being applied but they are not. Thank you

asked by: Wes

Expert Reply:

The first issue you mentioned of the reverse lights not working is because your trailer has a 4-way connector which does not carry the reverse light circuit. So to solve that problem you'll have to replace the 4-way of your trailer with a 5-way like the part # A40W5B which the blue circuit would run to the power wire of the reverse lights.

If your tow vehicle only has a 4-way as well it would need to be converted to a 5-way with the part # 20036 and you'd be set. The 5th wire of this would need to get ran to the reverse light circuit of the tow vehicle. I attached an install video for this kit on a vehicle that will show you the overall process.

Now the other issue with the passenger side light not being bright is most likely related to the ground like you mentioned. You can trace the wire you mentioned to see where it goes and fix as needed or you can cut it and run a new wire from the assembly to the frame like the other side of the trailer so that you can get it to function properly.

expert reply by: Jameson C