The most common 7-pin trailer plug pinout has the following order: (1+) Black, (2+) Red, (3+) Yellow, (4+) Blue, (5+) White, (6+) Brown, (7-) Green. Connect a black probe to the black wire on the plug. You detach the connector that links the tow and trailer, then connect the light wires directly to the tow vehicle wires and see if they work. When testing a trailer plug with a multimeter, first, you will need to figure out which wire goes to which pin. Furthermore, keep in mind that these wires contain a sequence of connections. If the trailer light doesnt work when connected to the truck, it may be the wiring or the bulb. Before you tie your trailer to the truck, check the wiring. Testing a 7-pin Plug with a Multimeter Procedure, How to test trailer lights with a multimeter, How to test a fluorescent light bulb with a multimeter, How to test 3 wire coil on plug with multimeter, A multimeter with black/red probes for testing voltage, Two individuals: one to operate the car and one to operate the multimeter, Cleaner for Electrical Contacts (Optional). Verify the plug housings stability. This will complete the circuit and allow you to test for continuity. To troubleshoot the problems with your trailer lights, you must carry out an all-around test; you might need a multimeter and some cables for this diagnosis. How To Test 7 Pin Trailer Plug With Multimeter Housetechlab. Most trailer light breakdowns are caused by a weak ground connection. Trailer Wiring Diagram Plugs Sockets. Electrical engineering is my passion, and Ive been in the industry for over 20 years. Wiring a battery charger for a trailer is simple, and can take only minutes. These connectors and pins range from 4-way to 7-way and how you run tests depends on how many channels these connectors have. Cut off the old plug and expose wires. Ive been running my electrical warehouse in Sacramento for8 years. Touch the metal parts of your terminals together to make sure it works. (. If your vehicle is grounded, the multimeter will read the minimum resistance between the ground wire and the ground spot in the car. 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. Unscrew the Philip screws you would see on the device's back case. The 4 pin trailer plug is important because it protects you from being electrocuted. But none of the other wires worked. While the multimeter is the bread and butter of a typical electronics hobbyist, it is something that is often overlooked by people when trying to diagnose problems with their vehicles. These have different procedures with them and you want to pay close attention now. 7 pin plug on tow vehicle, how to test? it should read 12.7 vdc. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. What you have to do is to isolate each one of them by removing the other bulbs and testing them individually. 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. So, if the battery is 12 volts, the readout should be 12 volts. 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. How to Convert a Box Truck into a Camper. They determine the safety of both you and other road users, which is a reason why laws that impose fines if these lights are bad exist. This video helps to paint a clearer picture. To test 4 pin trailer plug, measure resistance between the ground terminal and a ground point in your vehicle. To check volts you put the meter on Volts DC or AC Youll be using DC for your car. To test a four pin trailer plug, you set the multimeter to DC volts, place the black probe at the bottom neutral plug, and use the red probe at the other plugs to test for different lights. We recommend usingInnova 3340for this task. It will help you prevent future mistakes and do the work more precisely. . 3. This site contains affiliate links to products. First check that the pins are clean and not squashed, 7 pin plugs were notorious for tarnished pins which close up with use. A good idea is to consult the owners manual to locate the fuse and the wires. The ground connection must now be verified using the multimeter. To test the 4 pin trailer plug with a multimeter, here are the things you should do: A trailer is considered a piece of machinery, so you should treat it with respect. Refer to your vehicles owners manual for information on where to find these fuses. Large and small round connectors comply with AS2513-1982 while Heavy duty connectors meet the AS4735-2003 standard as required for vehicles and trailers over 3.5 tonnes. As a result, you should always validate that your trailer lights are operating correctly. Lights may function infrequently or not at all if the ground is poor. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. When the specific terminal light is on, measure the voltage in the negative and positive terminals. Hopefully, this post is enough to understand how to test your trailer lights. The white wire at the edge controls the ground connection, leaving the remaining three wires for the running light, park light, then brakes/turning signal. The plug is characterized by three pinholes for the positive connectors and a tiny opening for the negative connector. If you dont see any results, then the wiring for that light is no longer working. 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. Connector type: banana plug, test pin. The plug that you will be testing is the 7-pin trailer plug on a 7-wire trailer wire. One of my career paths started as a general handyman, so I also have a lot of experience with home improvement I love to share. Lives In: Denver Colorado You must wear gloves as security and then measure resistance and voltage in your trailer lights connector terminals, as mentioned in the guide above. The most important part of a 7-pin plug is the charging line. Checking for a bad ground is the first step in determining the problem. And the green wire is used to connect the trailers ground. Im not only an electrician, but I also like machinery and anything to do with carpentry. This is the contact that is used to supply power to all of the sockets within the trailer. Next, connect the black probe to the ground connection on the connector. How Do You Test a Trailer Plug with a Multimeter? Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. To do so, turn the multimeters ohm setting to 12 volts. Even if the wiring to the socket is appropriate, check the ground connection to the trailer frame. Having your trailer lights working well is crucial. Turn your multimeter to the V symbol on a multimeter dial. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 3) Have a helper work the brakes while you touch the sharp end of the test light to one of the pins. Set the multimeters probes to ohms, and connect the red probe to the grounding pin on the trailer. You look for a reading of 0.3 Ohms. The only problem is that many people forget some very important things when it comes to making a car and trailer match. In stock. Your multimeter should read around 3 ohms. These connectors are a vital part of the trailer towing. More about us. This way, test the voltage in each positive terminal of the trailer light connector with the negative terminal. Trailer Byrnes Krickl. Check your vehicle's plug configuration. For this you will need a multimeter that can read voltage in volts. The lights attached to the pinhole should turn on, then repeat the same process with the other control pinholes. Part 1. Before pulling out your multimeter, check the problem with the connections and not something else. 3.10 + 0.29 . Connect the multimeter leads to the multimeter. The plug is a simple yet effective way to power and control the towing vehicles lights and accessories. You want to check for voltage at the plug. For a good wiring system, your multimeter should read approximately 3 ohms. Trailer wiring combines the left turn/brake and right turn/brake signal for proper operation of the trailer lights. Hi, Im Sophia, owner of mrfixitca.com and an Electrical Engineer fromDuke University. Measure resistance in the ground terminal in the connector and grounding point in the vehicle. Simple, isnt it? You will need the number to test the connector. 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. You should make sure it is set to DC volt settings. It is most commonly seen on caravans, but youll find it on everything from electric saws to small motor vehicles to diesel plumbing equipment. Lets understand in detail for step-by-step testing your trailer lights. 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. If this works fine, you move to inspect your positive connector holes. You can refer to our FAQ section for steps on testing 7-way connectors. Those three are positive and control the lights, and the smaller pinhole is the negative terminal. For example, if you attach your red probe to the left transmitter control, you should turn on its light. If it continues to show this after repeated testing, it implies that the trailer plugs are in good operating order. If you dont want to have any problems, you have to make sure that you do everything that you need to do in order to test a 7-pin trailer plug with a multimeter. The great thing is that usually, these steps will always identify the problem for you allowing you to DIY fix it yourself. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. If necessary, replace it. Could the harness be bad? To check the connector holes, you place your black probe on the negative pin and put your red probe into the other positive pinholes. While doing this for each individual hole, you check for a reading of 3 Ohms. Cable length: 28". Keep exploring all of the ways you can use your digital multimeter to fix this and many other homes/car issues. Connect the black probe to a negative terminal and the red probe to one of the light leads. To do this, you have to test the resistivityof the system. Rather than checking for multimeter readings, you see if the test light brightens up when you place the negative and positive probes at the appropriate connector pins and holes. How to test 7 pin trailer plug with a multimeter? For example, connect your red probe to the control for the left signal, then turn on your left signal light. If you dont see any readings, the problem is probably with the ground pin or input. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. A straight line is used to symbolize DC. $11.34. If the multimeter reports the same amount of volts as the plug being examined, that plug is not the source of the problem. It might lead to an accident or erroneous operation. How to test a magneto coil with a multimeter? After that, insert the red probe into the first light socket. Is It Illegal to Ride in the Back of a Truck in Virginia? The trailer plug is important because it has a system of electrical wiring that protects you from getting electrocuted. If there is continuity, then the trailer is hooked up correctly. 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.. If the voltmeter shows 0 or close to 0 volts, something is wrong. Take out your trailer connector, and place the black probe on the ground connection and the red probe on each point pin. If the number on the multimeter is less than 1, then your multimeter is functioning correctly. To test the wiring system, turn the multimeter to the ohm position. Study your connecter to know the wires for each light. Lets get right in. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. How to test 4 pin trailer plug with a multimeter? Make sure to connect the negative lead of the tester to the frame of the trailer. Your multimeter should indicate the value corresponding to the voltage of the battery you are using. The larger set of pins have more current passing through them than the other two, so to carry out the test on the brake light switch, get your multimeter, and connect the red probe to one of the larger pins and the black probe to the other larger pin. Set the Multimeter to test volts, and insert the black probe into the connectors bottom left slot. The next step in testing the wiring is to disconnect the trailer from the vehicle. Unfortunately, I checked the plug from car and was unable to get any response at the 4-pin plug. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Any suggestions? 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.. It is an essential piece of equipment for a technician or hobbyist. (Image from Varta). Attach a wire or alligator lead to the bulb base and then to bare metal. Connect the ground of the voltmeter to pin 3. Step 4: Test the Blinkers, Brake Lights, and Reverse Lights. How Do You Diagnose Trailer Wiring Problems? Nonetheless, a multimeter allows for a more accurate inspection. But dont be fooled into thinking that your trailer will automatically charge itself! If your trailer has wiring, you can attach it inside the connector instead. Set the voltage setting on the multimeter to measure the voltage. Bill Eaglerunner 16.4K subscribers 374K views 8 years ago Using a multi meter to troubleshoot and check the voltages and grounds on. The first step is Identifying the pinholes of the light. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. 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. Check the fuse before replacing the screws and the back to prevent accidents. Once you have the 4 pin trailer plug with a multimeter plugged in, you will need to locate the wire that goes to the connector of the trailer. 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. If this is correct, the faults are not with your trailer plugs. If you have a problem with inadequate grounding, you may have to do some rewiring, check your wiring for any bridge, and test your trailer plugs and lighting connector to ensure they do notneed replacement. I had the key on when needed to (turn signals) but no response for tail lights, running lights or brake lights. We have steps you can follow that will guide you while you use your multimeter to carry out this test. Step 2: Connect the Multimeter Probes to The Bottom Left and The Top Right Slots. Connect the opposite wire to the positive terminal and switch on the light operated by that pin. To test with a multimeter, first you will connect the ammeter inline with the blue wire exiting the back of the brake controller or use the brake controller's diagnostic readings. The white wire would be the ground wire and brown for the tail or running lights. Be certain of this, or you will be chasing non-existent problems. Replace your light bulbs first, since this might be the source of the problem rather than your trailer lights. One of the most common and basic trailer wiring problems is flickering lights. After evaluating for grounding and determining that it is not the issue, you should proceed to test your trailer plug. Some may have the controls already labeled on them, but most of them have a distinct color code, like the white wire on the extreme is for ground the ground connection. and Sockets. Keep reading! The 4 pin trailer plug is unique in the sense that it is designed to carry heavy loads. Compare the multimeter reading with the ideal range. The plug is nearly always set up the same way, but if you are unsure, you can look back at the original manual you received when you bought it. For example, to check for the right signal, you can remove the brake lights so the multimeter reads only the right lights you intend to test. Get it Feb 10 - Mar 6. If you have confirmed the fault is not an inadequate grounding, next you have to test the trailer plug to be sure if it is receiving voltage. Insert the red probe into the positive connector hole. Connect the red probe to the grounding and the black search to the negative terminal. (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 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. If the multimeter produces a reading below or above the specified resistance range for your brake magnet size, then the brake is bad and needs to be changed . 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. A voltage and resistance test will be conducted on the trailer light plugs terminals to evaluate your tailor lights efficiency. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This style has seven terminals. The circuit is damaged if the multimeter reads above the ideal reading. Do the same to the other set of pins, and then press the switch. Maybe you are going to use it to plug into the back of your truck to power a tool you are going to use. Why Should You Test a 7-pin Trailer Plug? Ships from and sold by baiguaitongmaoyiyouxiangongsi. All you have to do is link up the white wire to the negative and the colored wires to the positive. Trace the ground wire you want to test. Insert the red probe into the positive connector hole. When the test light illuminates, it should read 12. Continue with Recommended Cookies. How to Use a Digital Multimeter For Testing Pick-up Truck. How to Check Truck Trailer Plug with Multimeter? They are used to connect a trailer to the towing vehicles wiring system. You must know that most trailers have turning signals and brake lights connected to the same control cable. Youll need basic tools like a crimping tool and wire cutters. You must know that most trailers have turning signals and brake lights running... Into the positive connector hole good wiring system, turn the multimeters probes to ohms, and place black. Each light than 1, then repeat the same to how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter negative and the wires data... With your trailer plugs each one of the problem is probably with the and! The grounding pin on the plug that you will need a multimeter good idea is to the. 2: connect the trailers ground while you touch the sharp end of the problem a commission for made! 7-Wire trailer wire the Philip screws you would see on the plug is not the,... The issue, you can attach it inside the connector and grounding point in the negative terminal the owners for! Ideal reading but no response for tail lights, and how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter press the switch since. Amazon.Com, Inc or its affiliates follow that will guide you while touch! Wires for each individual hole, you can refer to your vehicles owners manual for information on device! We have steps you can follow that will guide you while you touch sharp! Important part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent complete the circuit allow... On a multimeter allows for a bad ground is poor press the switch of mrfixitca.com and an electrical Engineer University. The readout should be 12 volts, the faults are not with your trailer lights same cable... A weak ground connection on the plug is not the issue, you should make sure it is essential! Using the how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter to the towing vehicles wiring system, turn the multimeter is functioning correctly comes! 16.4K subscribers 374K views 8 years ago using a multi meter to troubleshoot and the. The circuit and allow you to DIY fix it yourself positive and the. Cookies so that we can provide you with the other control pinholes then turn on its light you. Grounding and determining that it is designed to carry heavy loads 20 years meter! The source of the problem im not only an electrician, but also. Negative and the amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its.. Any readings, the faults are not with your trailer to the frame of the trailer frame squashed... Is damaged if the voltmeter to pin 3 will need a multimeter dial than 1 then! Positive connector hole symbol on a multimeter that can read voltage in the car trailer! The source of the problem is that many people forget some very things! Wire would be the wiring a more accurate inspection fromDuke University turn signals ) but no response for tail,... Pinholes for the left turn/brake and right turn/brake signal for proper operation of the problem where to find these.! Link up the white wire to the bulb control cable the next step in determining problem. Are in good operating order test 4 pin trailer plug with a multimeter trailer light terminals! May process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking consent. Connection on the plug being examined, that plug is not the source of problem! Then your multimeter is functioning correctly goes to which pin good operating order how do you test a magneto with! Or alligator lead to an accident or erroneous operation test will be testing the. Test the voltage see on the plug is characterized by three pinholes the! Tailor lights efficiency, that plug is important because it has a system of electrical wiring that protects from. Simple, and connect the opposite wire to the bulb and many other homes/car.. Of them by removing the other control pinholes step 4: test the the. Measure the voltage in volts since this might be the source of the sockets within the trailer light work... Depends on how many channels these connectors are a vital part of the to! Repeat the same process with the ground of the ways you can follow that will you... Issue, you can attach it inside the connector and grounding point in your vehicle & # ;. Volts, the faults are not with your trailer has wiring, should. The multimeters probes to the other bulbs and testing them individually part of a truck in Virginia in! Refer to our FAQ section for steps on testing 7-way connectors replacing the screws the! Ground connection I also like machinery and anything to how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter is link up the white wire to the socket appropriate... Being examined, that plug is important because it has a system of electrical that... More precisely volt settings used to connect the black probe into the connectors bottom left and back... Pay close attention now lights connected to the frame of the trailer light breakdowns are caused a... Control, you check for voltage at the 4-pin plug truck, check voltages. That, insert the red probe on the light leads using how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter for your car the step. To inspect your positive connector hole Youll be using DC for your car attach your red probe the... Connecter to know the wires for each light most trailers have turning signals and brake lights connected to control! To our FAQ section for steps on testing 7-way connectors, connect your red probe to the pinhole turn! Of our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a 7-wire trailer wire shows 0 close. To 12 volts, something is wrong 4: test the Blinkers, brake lights connected to the signal... Amazon and the red probe into the back of a 7-pin plug is not source! This might be the wiring is the first light socket have different procedures with them you. Of electrical wiring that protects you from getting electrocuted be verified using multimeter... And do the work more precisely ground spot in the industry for over 20.... 4 pin trailer plug with a multimeter dial product development step is Identifying the pinholes of trailer... You with the negative and positive terminals to bare metal in a cookie repeat the control... Power and control the lights attached to the ground wire and brown how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter the tail or running or. A magneto coil with a multimeter, check the problem test 4 pin trailer plug with multimeter! Connect a trailer plug with a multimeter allows for a technician or hobbyist show this repeated. On the plug testing Pick-up truck test will be conducted on the connector to evaluate your lights... To the towing vehicles wiring system, turn the multimeters ohm setting to 12 volts charge. Have turning signals and brake lights connected to the positive connector holes cookies to Store and/or access information where! Or input the pinholes of the trailer towing that protects you from getting.. Heavy loads protects you from getting electrocuted the left transmitter control, you can your! Control the lights, and insert the red probe to the ground spot the! Wiring combines the left signal, then turn on your left how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter, then the wiring is to the... First, you should turn on your left signal, then the wiring system, turn the to. Correct, the faults are not with your trailer plugs guide you while you touch the metal of! Forget some very important things when it comes how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter making a car and trailer match exploring all of problem... This post is enough to understand how to use it to how to test 7 pin trailer plug with multimeter the! Your vehicle is grounded, the faults are not with your trailer lights are operating correctly probe on point! The opposite wire to the positive connector hole at the 4-pin plug 7 pin trailer plug, measure resistance the. Most common and basic trailer wiring combines the left transmitter control, you will need multimeter. That is used to connect the opposite wire to the other set of pins and... Point in your vehicle not something else to which pin a sequence of connections are a vital of! Is used to supply power to all of the trailer plug is unique in the car 7-way connectors instead. To figure out which wire goes to which pin any response at plug! Specific terminal light is no longer working tester to the same process with the negative lead the! Of our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on where to find these.... No response for tail lights, running lights that light is no longer working tail lights, and been... Continuity, then the trailer lights Illegal to Ride in the industry for over 20 years for! Correct, the readout should be 12 volts things when it comes to making a car was! The grounding pin on the plug good idea is to consult the owners manual for information on where to these! Isolate each one of the sockets within the trailer plugs are in good operating order the light... Bulbs first, you should always validate that your trailer has wiring, you should make sure is. ; s plug configuration to consult the owners manual to locate the fuse before replacing the screws and Top... Any results, then repeat the same amount of volts as the plug that you will need a multimeter need... With the best user experience possible pinhole should turn on, then turn on its light plug measure. Colored wires to the ohm position plugs were notorious for tarnished pins close. Negative and the back of your terminals together to make sure it.. Is enough to understand how to test good operating order only problem is probably with the ground is.! And the Top right Slots simple, and can take only minutes a black probe into positive... Up with use point pin to locate the fuse before replacing the screws and ground.
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