Troubleshooting Trailer Wiring on 2013 Honda CR-V Where Passenger Side Blinker Doesnt Work

Question:

Any reported problems with: C56158 Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer? I have installed in my 2013 Honda CRV and having problems with the trailer lights. The driver side seems to work correctly but the left is doing some strange things going on. Turn signal does not work right and the lights seem to be burning the brake light when it should be just the tail light. I replace the tail light assemble and have been checking the wires. The trailer lights worked correctly on my Silverado. Any ideas????????

asked by: Darel B

Expert Reply:

First thing you should do at this point is test the 4-way of the wiring harness with a circuit tester part # PTW2993 for voltage on all of the right pins when the taillight signals are being applied. Just like in the video I attached.

If the voltage checks out there but the trailer lights still don't function right then the problem is on the trailer wiring. That would mean that problem is either due to a ground issue or a short issue.

Make sure that the trailer side connector are clean and free of corrosion inside and out. The main connector grounds should be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces. The light grounds should also be attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces. If there is anything between a light ground and the metal trailer frame or if the trailer has an aluminum frame, tilt bed, or folding tongue, any of these things can interrupt the ground. Running jumper wires from the light grounds to the main trailer connector ground can help.

If the problem is on the vehicle side then I would first recommend you double check how the harness is installed on your vehicle, make sure all of the connections are good and tight. You should check all towing related fuses and relays as well. What you described can sometimes be due to the converter box shorting out.

What you will want to do is test the wires going into the box of the converter box for voltage with a circuit tester like the # 3808 to see if there is voltage going into the box when the taillight functions of your vehicle are applied, and then test the output side of the box to see if the current is making it through the converter. If not then the problem is that the converter box has shorted itself out and would need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Jameson C