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Topic Closederratic brake light connection - Event Date: 17 Nov 2014
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Happy Tripping View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 May 2014
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Posts: 473 		Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: erratic brake light connection
    Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 2:54pm
Thanks, Outbound, and the others too.

As follow up, part of the confusion is that i misunderstood my wife, ALL the lights were out and then working after wiggling so the trailer light converter seems unlikely, thankfully. 

I'm using this experience to start a new thread on checking brake lights.
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Seanl View Drop Down
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2014 at 5:56pm
Originally posted by headcold

I had the same problem as described above. The tail lights and brake lights would flicker as I went down the road. It turned out that my ground was compromised each time I went over even the smallest bumps in the road because the hitch ball mount was rusted and rode loosely (rattled) in the receiver tube.  I sanded down the shaft of the hitch ball mount and shimmed a piece of aluminum sheeting to keep the hitch ball mount tight in the receiver and never had that problem again.


You shouldn't have to do this if you have a good ground wire in your trailer hitch wireing. You should not depend on the ball on your hitch for electrical ground
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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headcold View Drop Down
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Posts: 125 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2014 at 5:40pm
I had the same problem as described above. The tail lights and brake lights would flicker as I went down the road. It turned out that my ground was compromised each time I went over even the smallest bumps in the road because the hitch ball mount was rusted and rode loosely (rattled) in the receiver tube.  I sanded down the shaft of the hitch ball mount and shimmed a piece of aluminum sheeting to keep the hitch ball mount tight in the receiver and never had that problem again.
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Seanl View Drop Down
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2014 at 1:19pm
Originally posted by hogone

outbound; agree, good point.  so what your saying is that if i notice my brake controller light go out, i have likely lost all lights/connections to the pod.....correct?  hogone

On a 4 pin I have had situations where some lights worked and others did not even though they were all fed by the same wires. Turned out to be a ground problem. some lights found an alternative ground like the trailer hitch and you would get a week light but others did not. No lights. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Goose View Drop Down
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Posts: 672 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2014 at 11:51am
When we moved to AZ. I borrowed my neighbors car hauler for a couple of trips, the 7-way on the trailer was cheaper than the plug on the POD and would not make a constant connection. I had to use the needle nose pliers to bend the brass tabs on the trailer end just a hair at the corners so they bowed to the inside and would make a positive connection to the Jeep. With any of our other trailers I have never had a connection issue. Goose
Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
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Posts: 1807 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2014 at 9:50am
Originally posted by hogone

outbound; agree, good point.  so what your saying is that if i notice my brake controller light go out, i have likely lost all lights/connections to the pod.....correct?  hogone

Mine has done that in the past, pulled out even in the slightest and I would lose turn signals on one side etc.  Give it a good push back in at the next gas/rest stop and good to go.
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hogone View Drop Down
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Posts: 1043 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Nov 2014 at 6:19am
outbound; agree, good point.  so what your saying is that if i notice my brake controller light go out, i have likely lost all lights/connections to the pod.....correct?  hogone
Jon & Pam
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2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
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Podster View Drop Down
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2014 at 8:13pm
I have seen electrical connections with multiple loads work, but then fail when the greater load (like the break lights) was applied.  
Cliff & Raelynn
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(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2014 at 6:12pm
Good catch Craig, that might mean the problem is related to the trailer light converter.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Outbound View Drop Down
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov 2014 at 5:28pm
One thing concerns me tho:

brake lights on setting out and they didn't work, turn signals and emergency blinkers were ok.

The brake lights, the turn signals and the emergency blinkers all run through the same two wires (three, if you count the ground to complete the circut) - the 5 and 6 pins.  If your problem is at the connector, then they'd either all work or none work.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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