( TIP: Close your eyes before blowing!) Clean trailer plug connectors ensure good contact. Blow into each connection to remove any dust and filings. Use the tip of a flat needle file to remove any corrosion and oxidation. You will need a small steel needle file to clean the connectors. Use needle file to clean trailer plug contacts. For best results, use a small needle file set to clean all the the connection points inside the trailer plug. Poor plug contact may cause trailer tail lights not working.Ĭorrosion, debris, and oxidation can all prevent clean contact between the plug and socket connection. Then, take a close look at the connectors inside both the plug and socket. Next, ensure that your trailer cord is seated firmly in the socket. To rule out the simplest solution, however, check the trailer tail light bulbs and replace if they appear burnt out. If all trailer running lights are out, and the tail lights do not light up, the issue is probably not bad bulbs. For trailer tail lights not working, try these simple steps first.Ĭheck the trailer light bulbs. Do the tail lights and running lights on your trailer light up? If so, fantastic. Troubleshooting Trailer Tail Lights Not WorkingĬonnect your trailer and turn on your headlights. So, I dove into this mystery to track down the gremlins causing this issue. The trailer blinkers and brake lights were both working. Only the reverse lights on the trailer and the tail lights were not working. We discovered the tail lights on our trailer were not lighting up with the headlights turned on. tl dr Clean the trailer plug and socket connectors. Trailer tail lights not working? Here’s a simple trick to try when troubleshooting why trailer tail lights are not working, while the other lights do.

Trailer lights