LED Marker lights not working

Coylebt · Jun 12, 2015

First post, and I want to thank you guys for all the great info on this Forum!

Picked up a Lund Laker, and the Trailer lights were a mess.

Bought a new harness, and a set of LED markers and tail lights to install.

The Tail lights work perfectly, but the side markers are not working at all. Initially, I had grounded the markers to the posts. During trouble shooting I decided to drill a small bolt into the frame for the ground (after seeing how the tail lights would not work at all without a tight ground connection) I also switched the wiring on the quick connect to make sure that I didn't have the wiring hooked up backwards, and nothing. I cant even get them to flicker in any setting
The tail lights are grounded to the mounting posts, and the harness is grounded to a bolt on the tongue. I have solid wires running to the tail lights, and quick connect splices for the markers.
Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

bamabill · Jun 12, 2015

Is that a separate pin in the main connector for the markers? i'd check continuity thru those splices.

SumDumGuy · Jun 13, 2015

Are the lights functional, have you seen them produce light?
If in doubt remove them and direct connect voltage to determine functionality.

DaleH · Jun 13, 2015

Some LEDs without a built-in circuitry aslo need to wired with the right lead to positive. Are there 2 leads from your lights? Maybe you wired the wrong to + connection.

Coylebt · Jun 15, 2015

No I have not actually seen them light up at all.

I will take them off and check them hooked up to power.

I do have a 2 wire set up, so I will double check the positive and see if there is an change

Thanks for the ideas!

riverbud55 · Jun 16, 2015

1st thing I would do on any boat trailer is dump the idea of using the frame as your ground and run a dedicated wire for your ground to each light from your trailer plug ,,,really how much is 30' of wire, talk n cost imo its is well worth the money to use marine wire seeing its going to be exposed to water ,,, then dump the crimp connectors and soldier all connections, if your lights have push on connectors to the back of the light use some light grease on the pins to seal from the water ,,, tell n ya 80% of trailer light problems are ground related,,,,do it the right way and you will have almost zero problems down the road