Wiktor Wise
Electric trailer jacks are a convenient alternative to manual jacks, but they come with the added risk of mechanical failure. Troubleshooting a malfunctioning electric jack can be frustrating, but there are several simple checks you can perform to identify the issue. This guide will help you diagnose common problems with electric trailer jacks and offer potential solutions to get your jack working again. Whether it's an issue with the battery, motor, wiring, or something else, this guide will empower you to take the necessary steps to resolve the malfunction or determine if professional servicing is required.
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What You'll Learn
Check the battery and power source
When troubleshooting an electric trailer jack, one of the first things to check is the battery and power source.
First, ensure that the battery is charged. If the battery is low, try charging it and then retesting the jack. If the jack still doesn't work, the battery may be faulty and need replacing.
If the battery is fully charged, the next step is to check that power is reaching the motor. You can do this by using a circuit tester to test the power wire before and after the switch, and then at the motor. This will help determine if the issue is with the power supply or the motor itself.
Additionally, check for any inline fuses that may be blown or faulty. A blown fuse may indicate a short in the wire, a faulty switch, or an issue with the motor. If the fuse is blown, replace it and test the jack again.
It's also important to inspect the ground connection. Ensure that the ground wire is securely attached and free from any corrosion or debris that could interfere with a solid connection.
If your electric trailer jack only works when plugged into shore power, verify the amount of power reaching the jack. A light on the jack only requires a small amount of power, but the motor demands more. Test whether the jack operates with sufficient power by plugging it into shore power or using a higher power source.
Finally, if your electric jack is not working even with a new battery, the issue may lie with the switch. Try replacing the switch with a compatible replacement, such as the UF38-75-1037 for toggle-type switches.
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Test the power wire and switch
If your electric trailer jack is not working, there are a few tests you can do to troubleshoot the issue. Firstly, check if the power tongue jack switch is in the ON position and if the light turns on. Even if the light is on, the electric motor may require more power to operate the jack. Therefore, you should test the power wire with a circuit tester to ensure that power is reaching the motor.
To test the power wire and switch, you can use a circuit tester like the PTW2993 to test the wire before and after the switch, and then at the motor. This will help determine if there is a short in the wire, if the switch is faulty, or if power is successfully reaching the motor.
Additionally, you should check for an inline fuse that may be faulty. On the Lippert Power Stabilizer Jack #LC298707, for example, there should be a 20-amp fuse or higher inline with the red power wire coming from the switch before it reaches the battery. If the fuse is blown, it could indicate a short in the wire or an issue with the switch.
If the power wire, switch, and fuse all appear to be functioning properly, you can try using a jump wire from the negative terminal of the battery to the negative side of the motor. Connect the jump wire and then hit the switch to see if the motor operates. If the motor still does not work, you may need to consult a professional for further diagnostics.
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Inspect the ground wire and connection
If your electric trailer jack is not working, there are three possible explanations: power is not getting to the motor, the motor is faulty, or the ground connection is not working properly. To troubleshoot, you should first inspect the ground wire and connection.
First, locate the ground wire. This is the power wire that runs from the jack to its power source, which is most likely the trailer battery. Next, check that the ground wire is securely attached. Ensure that there is no corrosion or debris on the connection, as this can interfere with a solid connection.
You should also check for an inline fuse that could be faulty. This will help you determine if there is a short in the wire or if the switch is faulty. If the fuse is blown, it may indicate a problem with the ground connection.
If the ground wire appears to be securely connected and there is no visible corrosion or debris, you can use a circuit tester to test the ground connection. Test the power wire before and after the switch, and then at the motor. This will help you determine if power is getting to the motor and if the ground connection is functioning properly.
If the ground wire and connection appear to be in good condition and the circuit tester indicates that power is reaching the motor, then the issue may lie elsewhere. However, if there is no power at the motor, then the ground connection or wire may be faulty and may need to be replaced.
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Identify if there's a short circuit
If your electric trailer jack is not working, there are a few things you can check to identify if there is a short circuit. Firstly, check if the power tongue jack switch is in the ON position and if the light turns on. The light on the tongue jack only requires a small amount of power, but the electric motor requires more power to operate. If the light does not turn on, there could be an issue with the power supply or the switch.
You can use a circuit tester to test the power wire before and after the switch, as well as at the motor, to determine if power is getting to the motor. This will help you identify if there is a short in the wire or if the switch is bad. Additionally, check for an inline fuse that could be blown, as this may indicate a short circuit.
If the motor is trying to draw more amperage than it can handle, it may cause the jack to lower but not raise. In this case, check the ground connection and ensure it is working properly. You can also try using a jump wire from the negative terminal of the battery to the negative side of the motor and hit the switch to see if the motor works.
If your electric jack works with an external power source but not with the battery, the battery itself may be faulty. Check the voltage of the battery and ensure it is holding the charge. Try using the jack with the charger connected to the battery, then remove the charger and try again. If the jack only works with the charger connected, you may need to replace the battery.
If you suspect water intrusion due to rain or moisture, it could be causing a short circuit. In this case, it is recommended to contact a service centre for an electrical diagnostic to identify and resolve the issue.
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Check for a bad motor
If your electric trailer jack is not working, there are a few things you can check to determine if the motor is faulty.
First, ensure that power is getting to the motor. You can use a circuit tester to test your power wire before and after your switch, and then at the motor. This will help determine if the issue is with the power supply to the motor or if the motor itself is faulty. If the circuit tester indicates that power is not reaching the motor, the issue could be a bad inline fuse, a short in the wire, or a faulty switch.
If the circuit tester confirms that power is reaching the motor, the next step is to check the ground connection. A bad ground connection can cause the motor to malfunction. Make sure the ground wire is securely attached and free from any corrosion or debris that could interfere with a solid connection.
If your electric trailer jack is lowering but not raising, this could indicate that the motor is trying to draw more amperage than it can handle, which could suggest a faulty motor.
If you have performed the above checks and still suspect the motor is faulty, it may be time to consider replacing the motor or the entire jack unit. Some people opt to replace the entire jack as it can be challenging to find a replacement motor, and replacing the motor itself can be a complex task.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few possible reasons for this. Firstly, check that power is getting to your motor. You can use a circuit tester to test your power wire before and after your switch, and then at the motor. If the issue is not with the power, the problem could be with your motor or your ground connection.
To check if the issue is with your ground connection, verify that the ground wire is securely attached and that there is no corrosion or debris getting in the way of a solid connection. If the ground wire seems fine, the issue is likely with your motor.
This could be due to a bad battery. Try testing the jack with the charger still on the battery, and then take the charger off and try again. If the jack only works with the charger on, you may need to replace the battery.
