Wiring for trailers

[Peter_Grimsditch]

Any car electricians around? I almost certainly have a wire or two loose on the car/trailer. Everthing works if I move the plug and socket slightly while stationary but the connection doesn't survive the bumps and vibrations of travelling. I can leave the trailer behind for attention but the car needs to be done while I'm there [I don't have a garage full of spare cars !]. Instant payment. I'm 10km east of Montmorillon. Cheers Peter

[Brian]

Some trailer plugs/sockets are not very high quality and tend to develop corrosion or loose screws after a while. It may be worth dismantling your existing connectors, cleaning the terminals and checking that everything is tight before parting with cash...

If it's the trailer plug that's at fault, you may need to replace it. Most of the DIY places sell replacements and they're easy to fix with just a screqdriver.

[Peter_Grimsditch]

Some trailer plugs/sockets are not very high quality and tend to develop corrosion or loose screws after a while. It may be worth dismantling your existing connectors, cleaning the terminals and checking that everything is tight before parting with cash...

If it's the trailer plug that's at fault, you may need to replace it. Most of the DIY places sell replacements and they're easy to fix with just a screqdriver.

Your wit and wisdom are fast making you a hero in my book, Brian. Thank you for this encouragement. Bit like the frequent "shot to nothing"of the snooker commentators. As long as I methodically unscrew and re-screw the wires into the equivalent places on a new plug/socket I wlll be no worse off than I am now. the connection between the two has been awkward for months, perhaps because of dirst or corrosion. I'll let you know what happens.

[Brian]

Dirt or corrosion are almost certainly the cause. Try some steel wool to clean the prongs, then a squirt of electrical contact cleaner before inserting and removing the connector several times. Mr Bricolage in Montmorillon sell contact cleaner.

[Peter_Grimsditch]

Dirt or corrosion are almost certainly the cause. Try some steel wool to clean the prongs, then a squirt of electrical contact cleaner before inserting and removing the connector several times. Mr Bricolage in Montmorillon sell contact cleaner.

Thanks Brian