Exterior lighting not working

[Seattle Mitch]

Hello everyone. The amber colored exterior lights on my 2018 feet have stopped working. They did not both stop working at the same time. One stopped functioning and the next day the second one stopped working. I checked the fuse and it appears to be good.

Has anyone else had this type of a problem and if so, what did you do to fix it?

 

[longhorn1]

The one on the back picks up dust. Remove the cover and clean the switch connections with DeOxit D5. Did this a couple years ago. Do the same with the side light. We haven't had a problem with the side. This has been written up several times. Simple fix.

 

[fish more]

check your ground

 

[Wallowa]

The one on the back picks up dust. Remove the cover and clean the switch connections with DeOxit D5. Did this a couple years ago. Do the same with the side light. We haven't had a problem with the side. This has been written up several times. Simple fix.

Never looked ['16 Hawk], but are you referring to light connectors when you say "switch connections"? ...I always assumed these clearance lights were simply wired into power harness and came on with ignition. I may be missing something...

Another question: Where are/is the ground for these lights?

Thanks...Phil

 

[Seattle Mitch]

Can someone provide a photograph of the "switch connections" that should be cleaned?

 

[rubberlegs]

Yeah, had several problems. Switch is a pain. Usually we get partial brightness. Sometimes nothing.

 

[Oilbrnr]

Can someone provide a photograph of the "switch connections" that should be cleaned?

Problem is technically in the switch itself. You really can't spray any contact cleaner into them, at least not easily. Unfortunately, the whole light assembly is garbage and is widely used in the RV industry.

FWC is part of that industry.

 

[Seattle Mitch]

If the stock exterior lights are not good quality, is anyone aware of a good quality replacement exterior light set up?

 

[Wallowa]

Ah, I thought the OP was asking about his amber clearance lights? I did not know they had a "switch" like the side or down lights.

Exterior lights [down/side LEDs] have inside switches; clearance lights [amber] I thought came on with vehicle lights, no switch.

Or are we talking about two [?] amber porch/side lights?

 

[Seattle Mitch]

My exterior amber lights have switches on the bottom of the casing.

 

[Oilbrnr]

In answer to your question RE a higher quality replacement that has a built-in switch, that also has about the same or larger footprint, no I'm not aware of one. Not to say there isn't, but I've spent no time looking yet. The SPST switch is also very common, and I have seen them with clear flexible covers that would help somewhat from dust and direct water spray. Problem is the pigtails to it are very short and you'd need to pull the whole assembly off to replace it, which isn't that big a deal, but more effort and time required than at the time I looked into the issue.

I did manage to get enough contact cleaner into it (switch) to make it currently work ~80% of the time. Assuming you're in Seattle, humidity is a problem, and the contacts inside are not the type that hold up well in those conditions.

Switch should be located inside the camper, but that would require wiring effort and cost, cutting into FWC's tight margins.

 

[Bjammin]

I'm wondering if anyone has found a replacement light or a switch cover to prevent this problem. I've resigned myself to spraying contact cleaner and canned air at regular intervals to keep it clean, but a permanent solution would be even better.

 

[Vic Harder]

LOTS on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=RV+Porch+Light+Exterior+Utility+Light+12v+RV&ref=nb_sb_noss_2