[AT] Check your wiring

[David Myers]

> On the way home from work the other night, I kicked
> on the left blinker and
> boom, I lost the tail lights and dash lights in my
> truck. After replacing
> fuse after fuse I gave up and drove to work after
> the sun rose. Once I got
> to work I exited the truck to a burning smell, I
> walk to the back of the
> truck to find my trailer plug smoking and a gooey
> black mess. My guess is as
> good as anyones guess as to why out of the blue this
> could happen, This plug
> has been on 2 different trucks over the last 6 yrs
> and never had a problem.
> 
> My best guess is that some road salt and water and
> possibly the NON
> conductive grease mixed together to create a short
> and with conjunction of
> the brake controller sending a bunch of amps through
> it createing a bunch of
> heat melting it together making the short worse
> until the point it started
> blowing fuses.
> 
> Check your wiring,
> Dave Laughead

Boy, Dave, can I appreciate that!!
With the numerous plow/tow type pick-em-up trucks we
have this is a constant problem here.  Doesn't help
much the we have used something around 200 tons of
salt so far this year, just on 4 places.
I don't really concern myself to much until a light
flickers, or some glitch makes itself known.  I know
there will be a problem, and the first place I look is
the trailer plug.  I figure on at least one problem
during each season (summer and winter) and replacing
at least one plug each year.  Sealing with tape,
silicone, shrink wrap, etc, just slows down the
inevitable and if not PERFECTLY sealed will create a
pocket and make things worse!  The best is dielectric
grease, or even plain old chassis grease, seems to
seal the best IMHO.


=====
Dave Myers
Paw Paw, Michigan
The older I get the less I look forward to winter.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com