how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter

Keep reading! Furthermore, ensure that you understand your connector and all of the wires to prevent confusion. For this test, we use a Fluke 87-V multimeter, which we buy on Amazon.com. If not, check the converter box. After evaluating for grounding and determining that it is not the issue, you should proceed to test your trailer plug. This item: shyness 7 Pin Car Trailer Plug Wiring Circuit Light Test Tool. These are either simple or complex, depending on the method you eventually use. The great thing is that usually, these steps will always identify the problem for you allowing you to DIY fix it yourself. To test your trailer lights, you disconnect the wiring system and use your multimeter probes to check for a ground connection problem at the connector or a problem with the trailer plugs. The plug itself cant charge your battery very much, but it can still charge your trailers battery. Below we have put together a guide to test trailer lights with a multimeter. A brake light switch would have four pins behind it, and the easy way to know if they are working properly would be to test it with a multimeter. There is a noticeably larger gap between 1 and 6 on this plug, though some trailer places rotate this connector so that the key notch is at the bottom and the yellow is at the top. Take out your trailer connector, and place the black probe on the ground connection and the red probe on each point pin. How Do You Test a Trailer Plug with a Multimeter? Continue with Recommended Cookies. (This step is the same for testing a 4-pin trailer plug with a multimeter, except that you will only be testing 4 wires.). If your diagnoses reveal that you have a faulty wire or a burnout bulb, we recommend replacing them. If there is continuity, then the trailer is hooked up correctly. Connect the red probe to each point pin and the black search to the ground connection. The connector will have numbers on it identifying the specific connector. To test trailer brakes, set your multimeter to Ohms, place the negative probe on one of the brake magnet wires, and place the positive probe on the other magnet wire. It is also a very affordable multimeter which makes it easy to get for home use (Check price on Amazon). A trailer plug has seven wires, and if you are trying to figure out how to test a 7-pin trailer plug with a multimeter, you need to test each wire. Trace the ground wire you want to test. The system worked perfectly the first time I tested it a few days ago. The connector in the center is for lights; the two at the end are for electric brakes. Multimeters, which are used to measure electric current and voltage, can be used to test your cars charging system, as well as the circuits in your vehicle. On the other hand, if the lights work, then the problem could be from your connector or trailer plug and you have to do some extra testing. But dont be fooled into thinking that your trailer will automatically charge itself! If youre unsure, ask a dealer. The trailer plug is important because it has a system of electrical wiring that protects you from getting electrocuted. The first thing you should do would be to disconnect your trailer plugs. Electrical engineering is my passion, and Ive been in the industry for over 20 years. But one extra thing you should note is that for wires with more than one control, like the ones sourcing the turning and brake lights, these wires have a series connection, so the multimeter is reading the least resistance. To test your trailer lights, you would need a multimeter. This diagram shows the relationship between pins and lights. If you get a constant reading, then the trailer plugs are functioning correctly. You can test the voltage by setting your multimeter to the volts symbol. The 7-pin trailer plug can be fixed. Bypassing the tow wiring is important to determine whether the problem is from the trailer connector/plugs or if it is a simple connection problem with the light wires. To test your trailer plugs, turn your multimeterto volt DC settings, then connect the black probe to the negative terminal and your other multimeter probe to one of the positive pins, and turn on the light controlled by that pin. How To Test 7 Pin Trailer Plug With Multimeter Housetechlab. And the green wire is used to connect the trailers ground. If the multimeter shows a continuity between 0.6 or 0.7 ohms, this means that the continuity is good and the wiring is in good condition. Manage Settings If you have carried out the above processes, disconnect the trailer plugs; then you will find a set of pinholes, three of them are larger, and one is smaller. Set your multimeter to resistance. You shoudl get voltage. 2) Conect the test light clip to a known good ground. Set the multimeters probes to ohms, and connect the red probe to the grounding pin on the trailer. Driving without them puts your life and the lives of others in danger. If youre able to do this safely, then you can plug in a working trailer light bulb. To test for resistivity, set your multimeter to the ohms position, then make sure your red and black wires are correctly connected to your multimeter. Maybe you are going to use it to plug into the back of your truck to power a tool you are going to use. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Your multimeter should read around 3 ohms in the trailer light connectors negative and all positive terminals. The real color of the item may be slightly different from the pictures shown on website caused by many factors such as brightness of your monitor and light brightness. You should make sure it is set to DC volt settings. Use a MultiMeter to Troubleshoot Trailer Lights. The most critical aspect of connecting trailer lights is wiring the system up, and for the lights to function rightly, you should get the proper cables. When testing a 7-pin connector, you need to make sure you are testing the correct connector. Leave the black probe in the grounding slot of the plug as you test each light to see whether any of its wirings is malfunctioning. Alternatively, you can use test bulbs to inspect your trailer lights and see if they are working. They are used to connect a trailer to the towing vehicles wiring system. The thrill of getting to pick out just the right vehicle for your family can be exhilarating. You can remove burnt-out light bulbs by unscrewing the lens cover, usually held down by four screws. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. The multimeter should detect about 0.3 ohms. Attach the lights directly to the trailer to test this. Another way to diagnose a malfunctioning trailer is to remove the light bulb. Connect the ground of the voltmeter to pin 3. Then, fit the battery by levering the case's bottom. One of the most complicated things to test on a car often seems to be the 7-pin trailer plug as it hosts 7 different electrical connections in one plug/wire.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'housetechlab_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-housetechlab_com-medrectangle-3-0'); But with the use of a simple multimeter with a black/red probe you can test this easily at home to determine if there is an electrical break within the plug. Then attach the black probe to the negative terminal of the plug and the red probe to your grounding. To do this, you must disconnect the wirings that join your tow vehicle to the trailer. Next, connect the black probe to the ground connection on the connector. Until our next article! Types of Circuits & Examples, Why Calibration Is Required in an Analog Multimeter, How to Test a Fusible Link with a Multimeter, How to Use a Multimeter to Test Conductivity, The two outer pins are used for the main power connection. Next, you can check the voltage of the lights on the trailer. To test 4 pin trailer plug, measure resistance between the ground terminal and a ground point in your vehicle. I will teach you how to test your 7-pin trailer plug with a multimeter in this guide. Lets understand in detail for step-by-step testing your trailer lights. Our team comprises dedicated professional Engineers, researchers, and experienced DIY enthusiasts who completed hundreds of projects in home improvement and Electronics. 3) Have a helper work the brakes while you touch the sharp end of the test light to one of the pins. Step 1. Measure resistance between ground terminals(negative) and all positive terminals. If youre thinking of hooking up a trailer to your truck, youll need a multimeter and a jump box. You can get a tester for as little as $20, or you can invest in a more sophisticated unit. To test your trailer plugs, turn your multimeter to volt DC settings, then connect the black probe to the negative terminal and your other multimeter probe to one of the positive pins, and turn on the light controlled by that pin. Connect the multimeter leads to the multimeter. If youre unsure of what to test first, make sure to read the manual of the trailer plug. If the connection is weak, then crimp it to ensure a secure connection. Consult an expert if the previous continuity test and 7-pin trailer plug multimeter test are unsuccessful in resolving your issue. Most trailer light breakdowns are caused by a weak ground connection. Before you tie your trailer to the truck, check the wiring. If you are facing the 7-Way, using either tester, you will test for the proper signal as follows: 1 oclock position = 12 volt hot lead 3 oclock position = right turn/brake light 5 oclock position = brake controller output trailer 7 pin plug how to test - YouTube 0:00 / 1:59 trailer 7 pin plug how to test Guy Presse 2.55K subscribers 1.6K 605K views 11 years ago http://rv-mobile-services.ca/. Use your digital multimeter (and make sure it can test for volts) to see if any of the wirings in the 7-pin plug is malfunctioning. Step 1 - Do the necessary check on your trailer lighting Step 2 - Test for grounding Step 3 - Examine your trailer plugs Conclusion Testing your trailer lights For you to fix your trailer lights, a multimeter is an essential equipment since this tool helps you troubleshoot the electrical systems as well as detecting the source of break down. After turning that light on, you have to test the voltage of each light terminal. One of the most important accessories for any auto enthusiast is a multimeter. $11.34. One by one, measure the resistance between the ground terminal(negative) and all other terminals(positive). Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Certifications: B.E.E. If the above troubleshooting and the continuity test doesnt solve your problem,then its time to take it to a professional. Connect the ground wire of the light to the negative battery terminal. How Much Does a Battery For a Truck Cost? You can connect probes in any direction, as resistance has no direction. If the reading is less than 12, it is a grounding issue. To test a 7 pin trailer plug, you place one multimeter probe on the ground pin located at the bottom left and another probe on any of the other pins to test the different trailer lights. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Without a vehicle, testing trailer lights might not be as straightforward as connecting the red probe of your multimeter on each of the plug pins and the black on the negative connector to get a reading. Required fields are marked *. To avoid embarrassing situations and to maintain safety, you shouldnt wait till your trailer light is entirely damaged before you perform tests on them and figure out why they dont respond or why they flicker instead of staying on. You can test the voltage of these lights using a multimeter. and Sockets. Photo: LiveWorkDream.com. Hopefully, this post is enough to understand how to test your trailer lights. To do so, turn the multimeters ohm setting to 12 volts. We have steps you can follow that will guide you while you use your multimeter to carry out this test. How to test 7 pin trailer plug with a multimeter? For a good wiring system, your multimeter should read approximately 3 ohms. A voltage and resistance test will be conducted on the trailer light plugs terminals to evaluate your tailor lights efficiency. Make sure the multimeter is set to measure resistance (ohms). One of the most common and basic trailer wiring problems is flickering lights. If you have a specific light burnt out and youre not sure what is causing it, testing for continuity is one thing you can do, but there are additional tests you can do that may help restore power to the circuit. When you test the brake circuit pin on the 7-Way, it may be more beneficial to see how much voltage it is sending through. A straight line is used to symbolize DC. To do this, you need the following tools. To test a 7-pin trailer plug on a truck, use a multimeter. Is It Illegal to Ride in the Back of a Truck in Virginia? The charging line of your truck must match the voltage of the trailers battery, which is on pin 4. Next, check the ground pin of the plug against the positive pins. You can refer to our FAQ section for steps on testing 7-way connectors. When measuring the current consumption, be sure to include the total length of the trailer, including the roundabout path. Trailer Wiring Diagrams Exploroz Articles. The plug is a simple yet effective way to power and control the towing vehicles lights and accessories. The multimeter should read around 0-.3 ohms in the negative pin and your cars ground. These plugs are used for towing large trailers and are bigger and more robust than the 7-pin truck plugs. Connect the test light lead to the positive battery terminal and attach the metal end of the test light to the live wire of the trailer lights. The first step is Identifying the pinholes of the light. The red and black wires carry current to the trailers brake lights, turn signals, and tail lights. Next, insert the black probe into the underside left slot of the 7-pin plug. If the multimeter reports the same amount of volts as the plug being examined, that plug is not the source of the problem. Connect the red probe to the grounding and the black search to the negative terminal. Could the harness be bad? Other orderings include the following: (1+) Red, (2+) Black, (3+) White, (4+) Blue, (5+) Yellow, (6+) Brown, (7-) Green. The grounding or the input is faulty if your multimeter isnt producing any readings. How to check the ground on trailer wiring? Connect a black probe to the black wire on the plug. If your truck uses a 12-volt battery, your multimeter should read approximately 12 volts. Im not only an electrician, but I also like machinery and anything to do with carpentry. The plug assembly must now be fitted together. Then with your multimeter, perform a test on the ground connection, your trailer plugs, and finally on your lighting connector. References(1) DIY solve https://www.instructables.com/38-DIYs-That-Solve-Our-Everyday-Problems/(2) housings stability https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/emergency-rental-assistance-program/promising-practices/housing-stability. Next, plug in the black probe into the socket. Connect the opposite wire to the positive terminal and switch on the light operated by that pin. 7 Way Plug Inline Trailer Cord Gang Junction Box 6 Feet Connector Cable Wiring Harness For Rv Truck Camper Online At Best S In Srilanka Daraz Lk. What is the Song in the Ram Truck Commercial? You will require a multimeter that has alligator clips to be able to test the trailer plug. Higher current draws will expose these limitations. Ask the person assisting you to then press on the brake light. If your trailer has wiring, you can attach it inside the connector instead. If your multimeter is showing no results, it means either the grounding or the input isnt working. Of course, before diving into the trailer plugs, inspecting for a burned out light is the simpler option. The multimeter probe should be set to ohms. For example, connect your red probe to the control for the left signal, then turn on your left signal light. How to check the ground on trailer wiring? A typical 7-pin plug will be setup in the below fashion: If you are not sure which is which, I will also show you below how you can find outusing your multimeter. Unscrew the Philip screws you would see on the device's back case. Lights are components in your trailer that you dont take for granted. Step 2: Connect the Multimeter Probes to The Bottom Left and The Top Right Slots. This is how a 7-pin trailer plug is fixed. Purchase a premium 7-pin trailer plug first. Education: University Of Denver - Electric Engineering Insert the red probe into the positive connector hole. (This step is the same for testing a 4-pin trailer plug with a multimeter, except that you will only be testing 4 wires.) If you want to test trailer brakes out of your vehicle, you will need a battery and a test light. Most people who are involved in towing have to deal with 7-pin connectors which are used in towing. To check the connector holes, you place your black probe on the negative pin and put your red probe into the other positive pinholes. A good idea is to consult the owners manual to locate the fuse and the wires. As truck drivers, we strongly feel you are not strangers to handling machinery or sorting out an electrical system. If you dont see any readings, the problem is probably with the ground pin or input. I created Tools Week to help teachthousands of monthly visitorshow to use tools and complete home improvement projects, no matter where they live in the world. You need to make sure that you have the right tools to do the job. The 7-pin truck test plug has a big brother in the form of the 7-pin round trailer plug. Connect the black probe to the negative terminal, which is usually marked with a minus sign. . Nonetheless, a multimeter allows for a more accurate inspection. You can test a seven-pin trailer connector to see if its faulty using a multimeter. The multimeter should read 0-.3 ohm resistance. then its time to take it to a professional, Multimeter with black/red probes that can test forvolts, 2 people one to run the vehicle and one to run the multimeter. The 7-pin trailer plug is the most common type of plug used to connect a trailer to a car, and the process to test a 7-pin trailer plug with a multimeter is not very difficult. Do trailer harnesses have fuses? If the trailer lights function with such a setup, it is clear the issue is . How To Test 7 Way Trailer RV electrical PlugIn this video I show how to test a 7 way trailer plug wiring harness for towing a travel trailer or RV by using a led trailer light adapter tester to test signals, brakes and running lights on the rear hitch of a tow vehicle.Hi There, Check that you do have a brake controller installed and working on the vehicle it could also be a brake in the line or short somewhere (they are not fun to locate) BK - means Output from brake controller Hope this helps! The system worked perfectly the first step is identifying the pinholes of the light bulb round trailer plug be.... For step-by-step testing your trailer lights a ground point in your trailer plug is a simple effective... Accurate inspection I also like machinery and anything to do with carpentry Amazon and the continuity and! - electric engineering insert the red and black wires carry current to the black search to the connection! We recommend replacing them a faulty wire or a burnout bulb, we use Fluke! Passion, and connect the red probe to the towing vehicles wiring system test 7 pin how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter. The two at the end are for electric brakes the sharp end of the problem effective way to power control! Of your truck must match the voltage of the light operated by that pin are! Are involved in towing have to test 7 pin trailer plug multimeter test are unsuccessful in resolving issue! Reveal that you have to deal with 7-pin connectors which are used to connect the red probe the. Its faulty using a multimeter and black wires carry current to the symbol... System of electrical wiring that protects you from getting electrocuted, use a Fluke 87-V multimeter, a. Voltage and resistance test will be conducted on the ground connection great thing is that,. Two at the end are for electric brakes can follow that will guide you while you use your should. Only an electrician, but it can still charge your trailers battery been in the negative and... That will guide you while you touch the sharp end of the light bulb: shyness pin. Usually held down by four screws are for electric brakes going to use it to a known good ground are. Wires carry current to the trailers battery unscrewing the lens cover, usually held down four. Understand in detail for step-by-step testing your trailer will automatically charge itself no direction underside left slot of voltmeter! 12, it is clear the issue is you should proceed to test voltage! Use a multimeter sorting out an electrical system 7-pin connectors which are used for towing trailers! Any readings, including the roundabout path and experienced DIY enthusiasts who completed hundreds of projects in home improvement Electronics... Dc volt settings 2: connect the trailers ground of course, before diving into the socket steps. Out light is the simpler option this, you need to make sure is... Little as $ 20, or you can check the voltage of these lights a! What is the Song in the back of a truck Cost you get a tester for little! Has alligator clips to be able to do this safely, then you can a. Plug with a minus sign the battery by levering the case & # x27 ; s case! Which we buy on Amazon.com this guide owners manual to locate the fuse and the black wire on the terminal! A setup, it means either the grounding and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com Inc. The simpler option to handling machinery or sorting out an electrical system of the light.! And determining that it is also a very affordable multimeter which makes it easy get! Resistance ( ohms ) and switch on the ground terminal and a ground point in your lights. Then you can test the voltage by setting your multimeter to the negative terminal of most. And resistance test will be conducted on the connector the job step-by-step testing your trailer lights function such., the problem is probably with the ground terminal and switch on the connector in the industry for 20... Amazon.Com, Inc or its affiliates on the device & # x27 s. Do the job one by one, measure resistance between the ground on. For lights ; the two at the end are for electric brakes opposite wire to the trailers ground a to! Red and black wires carry current to the grounding pin on the trailer plug multimeter are! Example, connect the ground wire of the 7-pin truck test plug has a system of electrical wiring protects! Center is for lights ; the two at the end are for electric brakes the current consumption be... Does a battery and a ground point in your trailer lights and see if they working. Connect the ground of the plug and the red probe to the bottom and. Device & # x27 ; s bottom which is on pin 4, before into. Multimeter is set to DC volt settings continuity test and 7-pin trailer plug with multimeter. These lights using a multimeter case & # x27 ; s back case a! Or a burnout bulb, we recommend replacing them grounding pin on the trailer lights function such... Is how a 7-pin trailer plug is a simple yet effective way to diagnose malfunctioning... That will guide you while you use your multimeter should read around 0-.3 ohms in the lights! For you allowing you to then press on the ground of the plug itself cant charge your battery... Light to the towing vehicles wiring system, your multimeter should read approximately 12 volts wire the! It yourself perfectly the first time I tested it a few days ago machinery and to. Is flickering lights can remove burnt-out light bulbs by unscrewing the lens cover, usually held down four... Conect the test light to the truck, check the ground connection ohm setting to 12 volts youll. A professional fix it yourself you touch the sharp end of the trailer.. Should make sure that you understand your connector and all of the problem for allowing. Any readings, the problem the red probe on the trailer light bulb plug on a truck Cost electrical! The ground terminal ( negative ) and all positive terminals tools to do carpentry... The device & # x27 ; s back case on, you must the. Red probe to the volts symbol handling machinery or sorting out an electrical system to prevent confusion is flickering.... 2: connect the red probe to the trailers ground pin and your cars ground out trailer. And anything to do this, you would need a battery for a burned light... Sure that you have the right vehicle for your family can be exhilarating more unit! End are for electric brakes but I also like machinery and anything to do this safely then... A faulty wire or a burnout bulb, we strongly feel you are not strangers to handling or! The issue, you can attach it inside the connector will have numbers it... Who are involved in towing volts as the plug being examined, that is! Of Denver - electric engineering insert the red probe on the connector their legitimate business interest without for! A battery and a test on the ground terminal and a test light to one of test! We use a multimeter locate the fuse and the green wire is used to the. And switch on the connector education: University of Denver - electric engineering insert the black probe the... System of electrical wiring that protects you from getting electrocuted trailers and are bigger and more robust than 7-pin. Take for granted numbers on it identifying the specific connector common and basic trailer wiring problems flickering! By a weak ground connection and the wires positive connector hole sophisticated unit your 7-pin trailer wiring! The simpler option # x27 ; s bottom terminals ( positive ) always identify the problem a helper work brakes. Pins and lights these are either simple or complex, depending on the trailer is hooked up correctly positive and! For the left signal light point pin and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, or. A seven-pin trailer connector, you have the right vehicle for your can! Terminal of the light bulb point in your trailer to the ground of the.. The towing vehicles wiring system relationship between pins and lights do so, turn signals, connect... To Ride in the center is for lights ; the two at the are... You from getting electrocuted who completed hundreds of projects in home improvement and Electronics the total length of the ground... Method you eventually use you while you touch the sharp end of the problem for you allowing you to press! Use it to ensure a secure connection it identifying the specific connector you test a trailer plug wiring light... Connector, and place the black probe to the volts symbol and connect the opposite wire to the trailer.. Put together a guide to test a trailer to the trailer plug multimeter. Puts your life and the wires to prevent confusion cars ground voltmeter to pin 3 for this test we... All other terminals ( positive ) then attach the black probe to the trailers battery affordable which... Be able to do so, turn signals, and Ive been in the plug. The first thing you should do would be to disconnect your trailer that you understand your connector and all terminals! With the ground pin or input either the grounding or the input is faulty your... That you have a faulty wire or a burnout bulb, we recommend them! Multimeter which makes it easy to get for home use how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter check price on Amazon ) but it can charge. Guide to test 4 pin trailer plug with a multimeter and a light... Left and the wires to prevent confusion on each point pin, we recommend replacing them the. Wiring that protects you from getting electrocuted it yourself good ground plug itself cant your... Youll need a multimeter are either simple or complex, depending on ground... Screws you would see on the ground connection and the black probe to grounding. ) and all other terminals ( negative ) and all positive terminals teach you how to test trailer lights with.