Marker Lights (Turn Signals & Brakes)

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Sun Feb 27, 2011 4:50 pm

I've been kicking this around for a couple of days, and thought I'd open it up to discussion here,
just in case I missed something obvious.

Run down:

All turn signals, and gauge cluster indicators for such work correctly with lights on or lights off.
Brake lights fully functional with lights on or lights off.
Marker lights; only passenger side with lights on. Drivers side front and rear, no joy.

When brake pedal is engaged, drivers side front marker light (and rear ?) and drivers side turn signal indicator
in the gauge cluster turn on. Turn signals still function, but basically are a "bright / dim" situation if brake pedal
is engaged.

I've checked the bulbs, and all is well.

The receiver hitch is not a factory install, and there is a "trailer" module "installed" in the bumper just below the
drivers side tail light assembly with a simple 4 wire connector.
I say "installed" because it's basically just sitting loosely in the void of the bumper. :banghead:

Since this just started a couple of days ago, and we've had a significant amount of wet weather lately, I'm going with
the "trailer module" having failed as the culprit. Haven't had time to dig into it yet, but will likely remove said module
and existing wiring this week.
Since I don't plan on towing anything EVER, and I have only a "Glowing Eyes" Skull as a filler for the hitch,
life won't end if I don't have this wired for awhile. When I do rewire, it'll just be a basic 4 wire so my Skull can "glow" again.

Any thoughts??
Have I missed something obvious??

METCRD · **Posted:** Sun Feb 27, 2011 8:08 pm

You probably have blown a fuse. I blew mine the other day same side same situation. However I have more electrical demons to work out since my cruise is doing funny things along with my gauge cluster. I think it was the #7 fuse on the interior fuse block. Check your owners manual for the exact position, but I bet you have a blown fuse.

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:13 pm

METCRD wrote:

You probably have blown a fuse. I blew mine the other day same side same situation. However I have more electrical demons to work out since my cruise is doing funny things along with my gauge cluster. I think it was the #7 fuse on the interior fuse block. Check your owners manual for the exact position, but I bet you have a blown fuse.

The Good News: Blown fuse at location #7. :BANANA:

The Bad News: Replacement fuse blew as soon as i touched the brake pedal. :banghead:

Now I get to have fun ............. :furious:

Off to get some contact cleaner & corrosion grease........

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:32 pm

NewOldTimer wrote:

The Good News: Blown fuse at location #7. :BANANA:

The Bad News: Replacement fuse blew as soon as i touched the brake pedal. :banghead:

Now I get to have fun ............. :furious:

Nothing I hate more than trying to run down a minor electrical issue.

Every time I touch the brake pedal, The fuse blows. :banghead:

Since I can't crawl around under the Jeep, or even under the dash,
Looks like I'm gonna have to shell out good money for someone to find it for me. :furious:

If I don't happen to stumble upon it this week, I guess it's off to the garage. :banghead:

STINGN · **Posted:** Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:34 pm

NewOldTimer wrote:

The Good News: Blown fuse at location #7. :BANANA:

The Bad News: Replacement fuse blew as soon as i touched the brake pedal. :banghead:

Now I get to have fun ............. :furious:

Nothing I hate more than trying to run down a minor electrical issue.

Every time I touch the brake pedal, The fuse blows. :banghead:

Since I can't crawl around under the Jeep, or even under the dash,
Looks like I'm gonna have to shell out good money for someone to find it for me. :furious:

If I don't happen to stumble upon it this week, I guess it's off to the garage. :banghead:

try putting in a fuse that is 5 higher than the one u put in...maybe that will solve the blowing fuse...Ashley noticed that your left and middle break lights didnt work and also noticed that the orange turn marker came on with the breaks. and when you had the turn signal on, the left break and turn signal went off and the middle. she kept it to herself until i mentioned this

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:19 pm

STINGN wrote:

try putting in a fuse that is 5 higher than the one u put in...maybe that will solve the blowing fuse...Ashley noticed that your left and middle break lights didnt work and also noticed that the orange turn marker came on with the breaks. and when you had the turn signal on, the left break and turn signal went off and the middle. she kept it to herself until i mentioned this

That would be a correct analysis....... started just before the M&G.
I knew I shouldn't let my wife drive my Jeep!! :ROTFL:

Going up in value in fuse is ALWAYS a bad idea, as it could cause bigger problems.
I've just got to trace the loose / shorted wire & fix it.
Trouble is, I'm still in recovery from surgery, & can't crawl under the dash or Jeep to locate it.

Zack A · **Posted:** Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:41 pm

Do you have a trailer harness?

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:02 pm

Zack A wrote:

Do you have a trailer harness?

There is a Draw Tite module "installed" in the bumper, under the drivers side tail light.
I'm still reasonably certain the problem is related to the hitch wiring, but am unable to
verify.

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:08 pm

I would remove your tail lights, disconnect the trailer wiring, reconnect without the trailer wiring and install the PROPER fuse. If that still does not work at least you know it has nothing to do with the trailer wiring. If you still can't figure it out, make sure your insurance is paid up and put a piece of metal in the fuse spot and watch for smoke. :ROTFL:

Just kidding on the last part

Zack A · **Posted:** Tue Mar 01, 2011 7:42 pm

yepp that's most likely your problem. Pull the harness and go from there.

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:24 pm

As suspected, the "Draw-Tite" trailer module had gone ka-flewy.
Pulled it out of it's "installation" area in the bumper, and water was dripping from the unit. :ROTFL:

Cut the input wires to the module and secured it back into the bumper, replaced one burnt
tail light bulb, replaced #7 fuse with the appropriate 10 amp, and PRESTO!!! everything works!
:BANANA:

Will rewire the trailer lighting at a later date, as the only thing affected is my "evil skull"
trailer hitch filler doesn't light up now. :banghead:

Marker Lights (Turn Signals & Brakes)

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