Troubleshooting 4-Pole Wiring Harness on 2016 Jeep Renegade
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
I think this is the kit the local dealership used to add trailer lights to my 2016 Renegade? Everything worked fine for several months. Now I have tail lights, but no brake or turn signals. Fuse at battery is good. Any ideas? What is the purpose of the controller box?
asked by: John E
Expert Reply:
We offer two 4-pole wiring kits for your 2016 Jeep Renegade, Tekonsha # 118651 and Curt # C56274, both of which work on the Renegade version without any factory-installed trailer wiring. Both install in the same manner, by plugging in at your two taillight connectors and via a 12V power wire that runs from the battery to the converter box.
The converter box takes in separate stop and turn signals and combines them onto one circuit/wire as required by trailers. In these harnesses the yellow wire carriers left-hand stop and turn signals and the green wire handles the right-hand signals.
The only significant difference between these two similar products is the output current rating. The Tekonsha harness has higher maximum current for each circuit, 4.2 -amps per stop/turn circuit and 7.5 amps for the shared running light circuit. Maximum output for the Curt harness is 3.0 and 6.0 amps for the stop/turn and running light circuits.
Usually trouble with one function on a 4-pole harness shows up on the running light circuit, not the stop/turn circuits, since the running lights draw more power. Most often the fix is simply a stronger ground connection to the vehicle frame.
You can try un-plugging the connectors at the two taillights. Check the contacts inside the connectors for signs of corrosion (a dull whitish discoloration), bent contact pins or even trapped foreign material. If the connectors are okay, then re-connect them and test the 4-pole with a tester like # PTW2993. This will isolate the wiring from any potential issues on the trailer.
You can also test the trailer by itself by disconnecting it from the vehicle harness and applying 12V power from the Renegade's battery to each circuit on the trailer plug, one circuit at a time. Connect battery negative to the ground contact o the trailer plug. Then apply battery + to each of the three circuits, one at a time, to see if the trailer lights function.
If they DO function in this test then the vehicle harness may be bad. If they do NOT work then you will want to find and correct the issue on the trailer before installing a new wiring harness in the Renegade. Otherwise, if there IS a short on the trailer it could harm the new harness. On both the vehicle and trailer, check the main white ground wires. These need to be firmly attached to a clean bare metal surface on the frame to provide a sufficient ground that will let all functions operate.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Vehicle End Connector
- Powered Converter
- No Tow Package
- 4 Flat
- Plug and Lead
- Plug-In
- Hidden
- Tekonsha
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Hook Probe Circuit Tester
- Video: Finding the Right Trailer Wiring Harness
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Shop: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Video: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness Review C56040
- Search Results: trailer wiring
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Shop: Gooseneck Hitch
- Shop: 7- and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Socket w/ Mounting Bracket - Vehicle End
- Video: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter Installation - 2023 Kia Telluride
- Q&A: Trailer Running Lights Do Not Work but Brake Lights and Turn Signals Do Work
- Search Results: brake controller
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Shop: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Video: How to Choose a Trailer Brake Controller
- Q&A: How to Test Brake Controller without Trailer Connected
- Search Results: trailer brake controller
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Shop: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Search Results: trailer hitch ball mount
- Video: Feature Breakdown: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
on Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
