Wiring issue

GRNDHOG · 01-16-2013, 03:10 PM

I've towed only once with this car a few years ago. It had a factory hitch installed when I purchased the car (used)

When I towed before, the lights worked fine. It was a Home Depot trailer and they verified before I could leave.

I bought a boat yesterday, and it uses the same flat 4 plug. I have running lights, but no blinkers or brake lights.

I plugged in a tester and it confirms the lack of blinkers. Not sure if it does brakes or not.

So, before I rip apart the lights on the trailer, I want to fix the wiring on the car and make sure the tester shows everything is good.

Any tips/ suggestions on where to start?

Alaskan_Toaster · 01-16-2013, 11:41 PM

Steel wool and die-electric grease. I've had this issue several times, and (even tho there is a recall for my '07 for the wiring), several times it boiled down to a a bad connection. Clean ALL your contacts (on BOTH sides), apply the grease (lightly), then try the connection again. Hopefully, this will solve your issue.....

GRNDHOG · 01-17-2013, 06:00 AM

Thanks, got any tips for getting the steel wool inside of the tiny hole?

Alaskan_Toaster · 01-18-2013, 03:21 PM

Tiny, flat-head (or jeweler's) screwdriver should do the trick. Just make sure you get all the residue out before plugging it in....

psschmied · 01-19-2013, 12:18 PM

CRC QD Contact Cleaner (03130) is faster and easier. Afterward, apply dielectric grease and when the connector isn't in use, put a connector cover on it:

http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-48735-4Wire-Replacement-Covers/dp/B0000AXU02/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1DA99K9TALVQ3&coliid=IDDK04V53A635

slowpoke · 01-21-2013, 07:02 PM

There's a re-call for the Honda trailer wiring harness. Looks like you have that gremlin.

KoolBlue · 01-21-2013, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowpoke

There's a re-call for the Honda trailer wiring harness. Looks like you have that gremlin.

The recall doesn't apply to this year.

GRNDHOG · 01-22-2013, 01:03 PM

Any thoughts about just buying a new plug and swapping it?

I haven't had he chance to get any dielectric grease yet. But I was thinking a new plug should only be a few bucks, no?

GRNDHOG · 01-25-2013, 05:45 PM

Okay, I "scrubbed" the contacts and added some dielectric grease. Still no luck. Only tail lights.

Think I should try the new plug route? I'd hate to cut the wires unnecessarily...plus have another point that can fail.

Edit, I tried the trailer lights with a friends truck and they all work appropriately.

01-16-2013, 03:10 PM	#1
GRNDHOG EOC Rank: Helium 2004 2WD EX AT Sunset Orange Pearl (SOP) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 212	Wiring issue I've towed only once with this car a few years ago. It had a factory hitch installed when I purchased the car (used) When I towed before, the lights worked fine. It was a Home Depot trailer and they verified before I could leave. I bought a boat yesterday, and it uses the same flat 4 plug. I have running lights, but no blinkers or brake lights. I plugged in a tester and it confirms the lack of blinkers. Not sure if it does brakes or not. So, before I rip apart the lights on the trailer, I want to fix the wiring on the car and make sure the tester shows everything is good. Any tips/ suggestions on where to start?

01-16-2013, 11:41 PM	#2
Alaskan_Toaster EOC Rank: Neon 2007 4WD EX MT Tango Red Pearl (TRP) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Summer is here!! Posts: 2,076	Steel wool and die-electric grease. I've had this issue several times, and (even tho there is a recall for my '07 for the wiring), several times it boiled down to a a bad connection. Clean ALL your contacts (on BOTH sides), apply the grease (lightly), then try the connection again. Hopefully, this will solve your issue..... __________________ Mods so far - Thule rack, K&N, leather shift knob and boots, fogs, tinted tails, HIDs and LEDs, G-bags, Ridgie remote key, pass PDL switch, WT visors, MTF..... Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

01-18-2013, 03:21 PM	#4
Alaskan_Toaster EOC Rank: Neon 2007 4WD EX MT Tango Red Pearl (TRP) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Summer is here!! Posts: 2,076	Tiny, flat-head (or jeweler's) screwdriver should do the trick. Just make sure you get all the residue out before plugging it in.... __________________ Mods so far - Thule rack, K&N, leather shift knob and boots, fogs, tinted tails, HIDs and LEDs, G-bags, Ridgie remote key, pass PDL switch, WT visors, MTF..... Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

01-19-2013, 12:18 PM	#5
psschmied EOC Rank: Carbon 2004 4WD EXS AT Satin Silver Metallic (SSM) Join Date: May 2004 Location: NW Chicago metro Posts: 1,962	CRC QD Contact Cleaner (03130) is faster and easier. Afterward, apply dielectric grease and when the connector isn't in use, put a connector cover on it: http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-48735-4Wire-Replacement-Covers/dp/B0000AXU02/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1DA99K9TALVQ3&coliid=IDDK04V53A635 http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-48735-4Wire-Replacement-Covers/dp/B0000AXU02/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1DA99K9TALVQ3&coliid=IDDK04V53A635

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01-17-2013, 06:00 AM	#3
GRNDHOG EOC Rank: Helium 2004 2WD EX AT Sunset Orange Pearl (SOP) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 212	Thanks, got any tips for getting the steel wool inside of the tiny hole?

01-21-2013, 07:02 PM	#6
slowpoke EOC Rank: Hydrogen 2008 4WD EX AT Alabaster Silver Metallic (ASM) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: In a trailer...DOWN BY THE RIVER!!! Posts: 42	There's a re-call for the Honda trailer wiring harness. Looks like you have that gremlin.

01-22-2013, 01:03 PM	#8
GRNDHOG EOC Rank: Helium 2004 2WD EX AT Sunset Orange Pearl (SOP) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 212	Any thoughts about just buying a new plug and swapping it? I haven't had he chance to get any dielectric grease yet. But I was thinking a new plug should only be a few bucks, no?

01-25-2013, 05:45 PM	#9
GRNDHOG EOC Rank: Helium 2004 2WD EX AT Sunset Orange Pearl (SOP) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 212	Okay, I "scrubbed" the contacts and added some dielectric grease. Still no luck. Only tail lights. Think I should try the new plug route? I'd hate to cut the wires unnecessarily...plus have another point that can fail. Edit, I tried the trailer lights with a friends truck and they all work appropriately.

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