1985 Kenworth signal issue

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by 1985kenworth, Mar 6, 2020.

  1. 1985kenworth

    1985kenworth Bobtail Member

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    Mar 6, 2020
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    I have a weird issue with my 1985 kenworth W900B. If I hook up to some trailers in the daytime I get signals ,hazard lights and brake lights on the trailer .if I turn on all of my running lights (for night driving ) I get everything but no signals on the trailer.The tractor has signals always no matter what .I have a trailer light cord 7 way checker and when I plug it in to the trailer side of the tractor light cord it shows everything working fine as soon as its plugged into a trailer everything works but signal lights on the trailer ...any suggestions....grrr.ripping my hair out over this .Last night I replaced the trailer light cord with new one and my signal stat switch and same problem ..the tractor signals work but not on the trailers
     
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  3. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    Ground issue. If when things are not working will a test light ( old school with a bulb ) if you connect it between the tractor and the trailer. It you do not have a test light will the lights work properly with jumper cables connected between the truck and trailer at good connection points.
    I was number 1 once so I'll give you a shot. Send us a picture and let us know how you are coming along.
     
  4. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    The white wire in that 7 pin plug and socket is the most important wire of the 7. It is the ground. It needs to be grounded good on both tractor and trailer side. It is the grounding “ bridge” between the two. I have seen lots of them not hooked up because people think the trailer will ground to the tractor thru the kingpin. It does some but not enough or any in some cases. That wire is there for that reason. Check that wire and do what @BoxCarKidd told you to do and you will be on the right track.
     
  5. Deattris1985

    Deattris1985 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 27, 2019
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    Replace the 7 way plug itself because from what you saying sounds like the 7way plug is not making good contact. If you hold up on the 7 way plug and the lights work. Due to heavy use of some trailers the 7 way gets worn down and the plug doesn't connect to the pins properly.
     
  6. PSM379

    PSM379 Heavy Load Member

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    Are you hooking to trailers with LED lights, or does your truck have all LED lights and hooking to trailers with Incandescent lights?
     
  7. 1985kenworth

    1985kenworth Bobtail Member

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    Mar 6, 2020
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    I want to thank everyone here for your replies and it was a ground issue ..happen to speak with an elder gent who has worked at Kenworth for over 30 yrs and he said to replace regular flasher with a L.E.D. flasher that comes with a ground wire to ground the flasher because I have all l.e.d. lights on my older KW and L.E.D. lights draw almost no power and act as an open circuit where incandescent lights act as a short circuit .Well I did what he said and my truck is working 100% normal again ..everything is working ..again thank you everyone for your replies and your great advice and suggestions .Never knew of an actual L.e.d flasher with ground wire existed
     
    SmallPackage Thanks this.
  8. 1985kenworth

    1985kenworth Bobtail Member

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    Mar 6, 2020
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    L.e.d. on tractor and l.e.d.s on trailer
     
  9. PSM379

    PSM379 Heavy Load Member

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    Apr 19, 2019
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    Ok you answered what I was going to tell you to do. Glad it worked out.
     
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