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Old 05-18-2019, 06:33 PM   #1
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After market 7 pin ground wire keeps blowing fuse

Hey all, really looking for some help here.
Recently our trailer lights stopped working. I posted about corrosion on the pins on the car 7 pin receptacle. I cleaned those and it worked fine.
Again, the other day the lights weren't working at all on the trailer but the brake controller was.
I have an after market hitch receiver and brake controller along with the 7 pin receptacle. All made by Curt.
Just shy of the battery terminal in the car, there is a curt ground wire that attaches to the battery and it has a mini fuse box just before the terminal. I saw that that fuse was blown. I replaced the 10 amp fuse and thank goodness everything was working.
I go to use the trailer yesterday to find no lights and another blown fuse. I replaced the fuse again and it blew instantly as I was inserting it. I put another one in and it worked for about 10 mins down the road and it popped again. Had to get to campground with now running or brake lights. Not fun.
I figured since there was corrosion earlier on the pins there would be corrosion deep within the receptacle. I took it apart to find it SO corroded that I knew that had to be the reason. I went into town and bought a new pin receptacle. I cleaned and stripped to expose new wire and attached the new wire. Put a new fuse in and it didn't pop. I figured I had fixed it. Tried the trailer lights and nothing. Checked the fuse again and it was blown. I'm stumped. Don't know what to do anymore. Any input I would greatly appreciate it.
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Old 05-19-2019, 04:31 AM   #2
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You probably have a exposed wire or corroded wire somewhere causing a short and blowing the fuse. Corrosion travels inside the insulation once it starts, or a broken wire that makes intermittent contact.
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Old 05-19-2019, 06:51 AM   #3
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Is it possible that you swapped a wire?

I have found that many 7 pin connectors do not have the standard colors as shown on many charts. When replacing , you have to wire them up by position rather than wire color.

The cap on mine which secures the camper plug is not very stable and I have to wrap it with a piece of Velcro to keep it from working loose while traveling.
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Old 05-19-2019, 07:14 AM   #4
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Jimp, I understand how there can be corrosion along the ground wire. Does that mean a tech has to basically remove the whole wire and replace a new one from hitch to battery?
I'm just at the campground now and at this point I wont have lights to get home.

Norty1, I 100% matched the wires to the right location rather than their color.

Thanks for the replies, appreciate it
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Old 05-19-2019, 07:39 AM   #5
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Does the fuse blow if the trailer is not hooked up i.e. the electric cable from truck to trailer not hooked up?
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Old 05-19-2019, 07:47 AM   #6
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Right. The fuse blows when nothing is attached to the vehicle
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Old 05-19-2019, 10:35 AM   #7
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You said,"Just shy of the battery terminal in the car, there is a curt ground wire that attaches to the battery and it has a mini fuse box just before the terminal." That doesn't sound right. I've never seen a fuse in a ground wire. My guess is that that is the positive wire that supplies power to the trailer all the time you are connected. Did you do the wiring installation yourself? And Did the set up always work and now suddenly this problem started to happen?
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Old 05-19-2019, 11:07 AM   #8
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I added a photo of what I was talking about. And sorry, I know nothing about this.
I had the whole hitch package along with brake controller installed by a professional shop. Everything worked fine all last year and also when I got it out of storage this year then all of a sudden the lights don't work and that fuse my hand is holding keeps blowing. Click image for larger version

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Old 05-19-2019, 11:33 AM   #9
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OK, I'm just guessing but I'll bet that wire is the wire that sends 12 volts to the trailer when you are connected. Somewhere between the battery and the 7 pin connector is shorting to ground. Possibly a rat chewed into it.
Disconnect that wire in your hand and tuck it out of the way. Now check the lights in the back of the tow vehicle. If they are on, good-you can get home. If they aren't on check the factory fuses under the dash or under the hood.
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Old 05-19-2019, 11:53 AM   #10
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Do you mean plug the trailer into the tow vehicle and then check lights once that cable is disconnected?
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Old 05-19-2019, 12:03 PM   #11
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There are also these two fuses also attached to the postive, but they don't blow. Would that make a difference? Click image for larger version

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Old 05-19-2019, 01:30 PM   #12
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Yes...disconnect the red. Then Plug in the trailer and see if you have trailer lights.
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Old 05-19-2019, 01:44 PM   #13
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Just to clarify, disconnect the one red wire that keeps blowing ?
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Old 05-19-2019, 02:08 PM   #14
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I did what you suggested but still no lights. The brake controller still does activate which is good
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Old 05-19-2019, 03:03 PM   #15
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Do you have a test light or Voltage meter?
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Old 05-19-2019, 03:05 PM   #16
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Also, did you check the factory fuses on your truck?
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Old 05-19-2019, 07:14 PM   #17
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I don't have a test light or voltage meter

... and I wouldn't know what to check on my cars fuses ...
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Old 05-19-2019, 08:41 PM   #18
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Well, I'm about of suggestions. Here's the few I have left:
1. Is there someone where you are camped that you could ask for help?
2. Do you have Good Sam Roadside Assistance?
3. Tomorrow ask the campground host who to call to come help you.
4. Tomorrow, in the daylight, follow the red wire you have in your hand and follow it to the rear until you find where it's shorted.
I wish I had more to tell you.
Good luck,
Will
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Old 05-20-2019, 05:47 AM   #19
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Thanks a lot for your help. I appreciate it. I'll see what I can figure out
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Old 05-20-2019, 09:20 AM   #20
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Here's one more thing that may help. This view is facing the rear of your truck.
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