Wiring question

[GingerKid]

I just rewired my ranger for a 7 pin harness, and now everything works except the the running lights. I had thought that the running lights were with the same wire as the tail lights but at a lower voltage, maybe the 7 pin is different? The auxiliary wire is for auxiliary power and not auxiliary lighting right? Any ideas on what I did wrong?

[GingerKid]

looks like I'm going to answer my own question here. I mis-interpreted the diagram that came with my 7 pin wiring plug. The top left pin was marked taillights, which I assumed to mean brake lights. I found another diagram that labels this pin as the one for the running lights. I'll rewire it and see how it goes. I'll post the diagram if anyone needs it

[adsm08]

Tail lights are the ones that come on with the parks and headlights, brake lights come on with the brakes.

[Will]

Yeah, you answered your own question.

That picture you posted--the terminology isn't very good. On our site, in the tech library, we have a complete explanation with better diagrams. Like this (truck side):
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/images/trailer/7_way_vehicle_side.JPG

The center wire can be anything you want. An intercom for states that allow passengers in a trailer, for instance. I've not seen a trailer with backup lights. Taillights and running lights are the same circuit, naturally. The 12V is for charging the trailer battery.

[adsm08]

I have a trailer with backup lights. They don't help, but they are there.

[GingerKid]

Well, I had limited success. I wired the correct wire to the correct pin, and now I have running lights, but they're too bright. Like brake light bright, instead of the lower power they're supposed to be. Hitting the brakes give no change either. Any ideas? Did I get the wrong wire again somehow?

[Will]

Did you use a tap to connect to your truck or did you try to splice into the harness? It could be that your truck requires a converter because the turn signal and braks use different filaments or bulbs. The brake and tail lights have the same voltage--it's the bulbs that make one brighter than the other.

It appears you do need a converter as this is the tap listed for your truck:
http://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/1/1/118325.jpg

Once that is plugged into the harness under the tailgate, you use this to adapt it to the 7-pin RV plug:
http://shop.easternmarine.com/images/product/9748.jpg

[GingerKid]

I guess that would be my problem then. I have the part that plugs into the harness, but there isn't a converter on there, just the wires coming out. I had to use a multimeter to figure out which wire was for what. I'll make a trip out later today and grab those two bits, thanks for the help.

[GingerKid]

Well I got the parts installed, and everything seems to work fine so far. The running lights are still brighter than I think they should be, but maybe thats just the bulbs in this particular trailer. Thanks for the help

[TomB1269]

FYI, Not all trailer are wired to the standard diagram. Particularly ones with 6 pin blocks and have a specifically made 6 pin block to 7 pin round ambilical. In addition, I have seen some 7 pin rounds that show 12v hot in the middle and revers in the #4 position.