Can 6-Way Connector with Separate Brake Light and Turn Signal Circuits Install on 2013 Ford Focus  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

A 6-Way round connector, especially one that has separate brake light and turn signal circuits, is rare which is why you can't find one. But I can tell you how to make your own 6-Way with separate brake/turn circuits.

First, you could get some 6-Wire jacketed wire, # DW04906-1 sold by the foot, and a 6-Way round vehicle side connector such as # HM48420. Then you would use a circuit tester such as # 40376 to find the functions of the taillight wires on your 2013 Ford Focus.

Once you have identified the wire function you can splice wires from the jacketed wire to the vehicle tail light wires using quick splice connectors such as # SWC501746-1. Then you would attach the other ends of the wires to the back of the 6-Way to match what the trailer requires, and you're done. The only problems with this is without a powered converter the trailer lights could overdraw the vehicle wiring. And you would be limited to towing only that one trailer.

Another option is to install a 4-Way on the Focus using # 118549 for hatchback models ( # 118548 is for sedan models). Then you would replace the 6-Way on the trailer with a 4-Way such as # HM48110.

Then you would use converter # C56196 on the trailer side. From the trailer connector the combined left turn signal and brake light wire (yellow) will connect to the yellow wire on the converter. The right turn/brake wire (green) will connect to the green converter wire. The white wire will ground to the trailer frame. The running light wire (brown) will bypass the converter.

On the output side of the converter connect the yellow wire to the trailer's left turn signal only wire. Connect the green wire to the trailer's right turn signal only wire. The red wire is now just brake lights so you would connect the brake light only wires to it. The benefit of this method is that you have a proper and safe wiring harness installed on the vehicle and you will be able to tow trailers with the much more common 4-Way connector in the future.

expert reply by: Michael H

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