Trailer running lights AND tailgate lock not working.

[firemancooter]

2014 2500 tradesman. I have no power to my trailer plugs for trailer running lights. All fuses have been checked with a meter and are good. Harness is seated properly at rear of plug. I have looked at all plugs in the harness from the engine compartment to the bumper. Haven't really looked at the lock issue yet, I'm more concerned with the light issue at the moment.

 

[firemancooter]

Give me an easy fix please!

 

[firemancooter]

Tailgate lock fixed. Loose plug.

 

[pedersen_tim]

See if the lights come on when you turn the trucks lights off. Sounds weird but it has happened to me on multiple occasions. For a while it was only a daytime trailer until i bought a cheap trailer re wire kit from fleetfarm

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Rado]

Is there power at the lights ? Hot to frame ground ? Corroded connectors ? That's all I can think of for now

 

[firemancooter]

Ground is good. Turn/brake lights work fine. No power coming from harness.

 

[ramrocker]

Could try swapping one of the trailer relays.
Dug a bit deeper, those relays may be soldered to the circuit board like the prior year TIPMs.

 

[Badger 13]

I have seen issues right at the plug itself. If the taillight fuse for the trailer lights is good, then I would crawl under the rear bumper and pull apart the harness going to the plug, and test it on the truck side. At the same time you can test the continuity from where you pulled it apart to the plug itself. The harness under the bumper is pretty snug, put will pull apart.

 

[ramrocker]

Yep, several connectors right behind bumper for the inline connector, bumper 7-pin, bed 7-pin.

 

[Rado]

I agree the connectiong near the bumper can get corroded. When I installed my pig tail kit and pulled the connection apart light powdered dirt fell out :OI picked up 2 testers like these, make testing easy
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-7-way-...-tester-EZ-check-vehicle-test-0-/231910498308

 

[Badger 13]

And, don't forget to pack them with dielectric grease when you put them back together, or replacing them.

 

[firemancooter]

All connectors and plugs are good at rear of truck. No power at the harness.

 

[ramrocker]

Did the trailer lights work with a trailer connected before this problem happened?
Are any of the trailer connector pins getting 12V?

I'd start checking that the power is getting thru the fuses at the TIPM / Fuse Box to the wire harness at the fuse box.
I'd pull a fuse for the circuit, put in thin wire probe, turn the function on and check with voltmeter that the hidden soldered on relays are sending power to the fuse.
There are several electrical diagrams for several model years in
Mcgrimm2's My 2013+ Shared Schematics and other OEM Info
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/my-2013-shared-schematics-and-other-oem-info.86768/
Trailer Tow is in 2014 Ram 1500 - CHASSIS > TRAILER-TOW-SYSTEM.pdf

Good info at TIPM Test/Bypass Cables site

There are several relays soldered to the TIPM's circuit board down inside it.

My homebrew 12V Trailer Tow drawing made from FCA's drawings:

 

[firemancooter]

Thanks for the schematics. All fuses are good. I have the 12v power supply and turn/brake signals at the 4 way and 7 way plugs. All the plugs under the truck look good. No corrosion and pluged in good. Everything worked fine last fall. Went to take the boat in for service and no running lights. I suspected a corroded plug after the rough winter we had here in the St. Louis area. I will check the relays and see if I can track it down. Thanks for the help.

 

[Badger 13]

With that being said, I think the issue is on your trailer, and a a could possibility it is the ground, especially if your trailer does not have a ground wire, and grounds only through the hitch ball.

 

[firemancooter]

Not a ground problem. As I have said, I have no power at the harness at the back of the plug.

 

[Jay N]

And, don't forget to pack them with dielectric grease when you put them back together, or replacing them.

You NEVER EVER use dielectric grease on any electrical connector. Dielectric grease is an insulator not a conductor. The grease is to seal up pig tails and such, not to use in the flow of electricity because it will fail at some point, mark my words. Might wanna research this on your own, it'll save you a bad headache sooner or later.

 

[GTyankee]

All you need to do maybe twice a year
Is spray Electrical Contact Cleaner on the connectors

I use LPS & CRC contact cleaners, some are Quick Drying

a good video, it explains what the center pin can do

Easy Way To Remember Wiring Of A 7-Way 'RV' Plug (RV Standard)

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