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Topic: Toad Wiring and Headlights cause all lights to go out. (Read 888 times) previous topic - next topic

Toad Wiring and Headlights cause all lights to go out.

This just recently began to happen.

We were doing our light check on the toad, when I noticed the marker/tail lights on the coach going off. Something is causing the resettable fuse in front of the passenger seat to blow. The only time it blows is when the headlight/marker light switch is on. When off everything works fine.  Daylight driving only for now.

Can I fix this myself? Any ideas as to what I should look for.

thanks
Ed
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)

Re: Toad Wiring and Headlights cause all lights to go out.

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Lance Camper –
We were doing our light check on the toad, when I noticed the marker/tail lights on the coach going off. Something is causing the resettable fuse in front of the passenger seat to blow. The only time it blows is when the headlight/marker light switch is on. When off everything works fine.  Daylight driving only for now.

Can I fix this myself? Any ideas as to what I should look for.

Ed,

Take the light cable connectors apart (both male and female side) and see if you have a frayed wire where it comes into the socket. If you are getting a ground or loose wire here it can cause some of your symptoms.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Toad Wiring and Headlights cause all lights to go out.

Reply #2 –
As mike said more than likely in the plugs for the toad harness. Does the motor home work correctly with everything unplugged, if so the problem is in the light cord or toad.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Toad Wiring and Headlights cause all lights to go out.

Reply #3 –
As Bruce said, start with nothing plugged into the MH. If all lights work properly, plug the towed cable into the MH but NOT into the towed. If all works properly, plug it into the towed but DON'T hook up (cable only). If all works properly something is shorting to the tow bars.

Does your coach have separate brake and turn signal lights? If so, you probably have an adapter (combiner) that puts the brake and turn signals back together like things used to be for all vehicles. Those devices, for all their high cost, don't have long lives. We've replaced two of them in the five years we've owned our coach.

We also had to replace the electrical cable that connects the Foretravel and towed. Again, they are expensive but not always the highest quality. You can check yours with a multi-meter or just plug it in and see what happens.

Re: Toad Wiring and Headlights cause all lights to go out.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: kb0zke –
Does your coach have separate brake and turn signal lights? If so, you probably have an adapter (combiner) that puts the brake and turn signals back together like things used to be for all vehicles. Those devices, for all their high cost, don't have long lives. We've replaced two of them in the five years we've owned our coach.
If it is a bad converter I've had the best results from this one.  Roadmaster Brite-Lite Wiring Converter Roadmaster Accessories and Parts RM-732

And I've been told by a great tech, not to use one made by Curt.  He has found approx 30% of them defective.  Even said one mfg is having them replaced due to so many failures.  Sounded crazy as I like many items built by Curt.  Amazon.com: CURT 58240 Non-Powered 3-to-2-Wire Taillight Converter: Automotive
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Toad Wiring and Headlights cause all lights to go out.

Reply #5 –
Thanks all, going to try those suggestions tomorrow

Ed
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)

Re: Toad Wiring and Headlights cause all lights to go out.

Reply #6 –
I have had good success with the Hopkins tail light converter.  They can be bought at most auto stores, E- trailer.com, or Amazon.
I used the non power one that has a 4 way plug already on the outside so I can hook up my 4 way plug from my LED magnetic tow lights.  For me this is the KISS system.

Hope it works out for you.................. ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing
 

Re: Toad Wiring and Headlights cause all lights to go out.

Reply #7 –
Finally, I hope.

It was the Jeep's tail lights. Michele and I were running thru a light check when I noticed the Jeep did not have tail lights. So I started poking around inside looking for the short. After pulling on wires, twisting them, looking for bare wire. I found that I had wiggled the wire crimp for the tail lights a little too much. I didn't like the crimp and redid it. Voila, the tail lights work and after five minutes or so the CB did not trip.

Thanks for the suggestions
Ed
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)