Beware the trailer light controller
05-31-2009, 09:47 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Beware the trailer light controller
I am getting the 4runner for my trailer towing trip this weekend. In preparation, I hooked the trailer up to my 4runner and ....no lights. Lame.
I decided at that point to mount my RV flat trailer harness in the bumper vs. below it. A sawzall and drill later...the deed was done. But still now...only parking lights.....hmm.....
No power to harness. Not good.
I had truck lights, but no trailer lights. Remove bolts on left side where harness enters the "guts" of the 4runner.
Alas! A "trailer controller and fuse protector" or some other crap. Anyway, this little dude essentially is a giant fusable link for all 4 inputs. Anyway, after 10 years of bumping etc...it was no longer functioning. As much as I wanted a fuse between the trailer and truck....really? How much danger is there? Some...but in the end...
The controller was tossed and the wires were hardwired. It is all very clean now...and working!
So, if you have no lights...and is seems you are getting no power to the harness....check there.
I decided at that point to mount my RV flat trailer harness in the bumper vs. below it. A sawzall and drill later...the deed was done. But still now...only parking lights.....hmm.....
No power to harness. Not good.
I had truck lights, but no trailer lights. Remove bolts on left side where harness enters the "guts" of the 4runner.
Alas! A "trailer controller and fuse protector" or some other crap. Anyway, this little dude essentially is a giant fusable link for all 4 inputs. Anyway, after 10 years of bumping etc...it was no longer functioning. As much as I wanted a fuse between the trailer and truck....really? How much danger is there? Some...but in the end...
The controller was tossed and the wires were hardwired. It is all very clean now...and working!
So, if you have no lights...and is seems you are getting no power to the harness....check there.
06-04-2009, 10:38 AM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Denver metro area-CO
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I have a thread going on this over in "General Electrical"
You'll need the taillight converter box, as you need to combine 5 functions into 4 wires of the trailer 4 pin connector. Like you I also thought I could just splice this 4 pin into the existing but it did not quite work out.
Hopkins makes a good set of products to solve this. The taillight converter is Yota specific.
You may now have your brakes wired up to your parking lights, you will know from the inside if you step on the brakes and the dash lights up.
You'll need the taillight converter box, as you need to combine 5 functions into 4 wires of the trailer 4 pin connector. Like you I also thought I could just splice this 4 pin into the existing but it did not quite work out.
Hopkins makes a good set of products to solve this. The taillight converter is Yota specific.
You may now have your brakes wired up to your parking lights, you will know from the inside if you step on the brakes and the dash lights up.
06-04-2009, 10:41 AM
#3
I have a thread going on this over in "General Electrical"
You'll need the taillight converter box, as you need to combine 5 functions into 4 wires of the trailer 4 pin connector. Like you I also thought I could just splice this 4 pin into the existing but it did not quite work out.
Hopkins makes a good set of products to solve this. The taillight converter is Yota specific.
You may now have your brakes wired up to your parking lights, you will know from the inside if you step on the brakes and the dash lights up.
You'll need the taillight converter box, as you need to combine 5 functions into 4 wires of the trailer 4 pin connector. Like you I also thought I could just splice this 4 pin into the existing but it did not quite work out.
Hopkins makes a good set of products to solve this. The taillight converter is Yota specific.
You may now have your brakes wired up to your parking lights, you will know from the inside if you step on the brakes and the dash lights up.
He's right.
The adapter is necessary.
06-04-2009, 05:16 PM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Denver metro area-CO
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
[He's right.
The adapter is necessary.[/QUOTE]
thanks sir, there is not many things I can truly say with conviction but I do know my tail light converters now....
The adapter is necessary.[/QUOTE]
thanks sir, there is not many things I can truly say with conviction but I do know my tail light converters now....
Trending Topics
06-10-2009, 09:53 PM
#8
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I learned something the hard way. The cruise control will not work with the lights on now. I am thinking the cruise gets the signal through through one of these wires. Given that the parking lights and brake lights are now wired together....I am guessing a little crossing is going on. Way to go toyota...
Anyway, off to etrailers...
Anyway, off to etrailers...
06-12-2009, 09:09 PM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Denver metro area-CO
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
oops yeah I forgot to mention the cruise control. It's sensitive to even a bad bulb.
Good to have these guys helping along the way.
I still did a number on my moulding pieces removing and replacing them. Those weird slide in push in inserts aaagggh
Good to have these guys helping along the way.
I still did a number on my moulding pieces removing and replacing them. Those weird slide in push in inserts aaagggh
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kirkrunner
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
2
07-27-2015 07:59 PM
shadowbirdie
General Vehicle Related Topics (Non Year Related)
2
07-21-2015 10:38 PM
rushw
General Electrical & Lighting Related Topics
4
07-18-2015 01:46 PM
