Trailer Wiring Harness Converters Keep Shorting Out on a 2014 Nissan Quest

Updated 08/25/2016 | Published 08/24/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(18)

$83.73

35 Ft 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness - Wishbone Style - 42" Ground

(872)

$30.66

Question:

Having issues with trailer lights not working. On my third converter, wire to battery has fuse in line. Fuse ok. Could the water the spraying on trailer connector plug cause it to short out? The first 2 converter shorted out.

asked by: Mik

Expert Reply:

Water getting in the 4-Way connector would not cause it to short out but if water somehow got into the converter box then that could do it. But it is unlikely for that to happen twice. The more likely cause of the problem is a short on the trailer that is back feeding to the converter causing it to short out. In that regard the converter box is doing its job and protecting the vehicle wiring from the short.

Inspect the trailer wiring and fix any pinched or damaged wires. If there is wiring that is difficult to access, such as wiring routed through the frame, then it is probably time to run new wiring on the trailer. That will eliminate a short on the old wiring.

You can get a 35 foot wishbone 4-Way, # A35W42B. A wishbone harness just means that it has 2 running light wires that use the same pin. It is so you don't have to splice in a jumper wire from one side of the trailer to the other.

expert reply by: Michael H