Troubleshooting Trailer Wiring Harness Blowing Fuses on a 2006 Jeep Wrangler

Updated 08/30/2011 | Published 08/29/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(27)

$28.39

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

(383)

$37.11

20 Ft 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness - Wishbone Style - 30" Ground

(331)

$12.97

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(62)

$13.33

Question:

I have a 2006 jeep wrangler and have purchesed the wiring harness that conectes to both sides of the jeep and it keeps blowing my fuses every time I use it I see that you have two diferent conectors for the same year jeep so which one do i use

asked by: Steve H

Expert Reply:

Both of the wiring harnesses we have available for the 2006 Jeep Wrangler, will work on your Jeep. The difference is that one is manufactured by Tow Ready, # 118409, and the other is manufactured by Hopkins manufacturing, # 32625, and that different connection points are used by the different manufacturers.

It sounds like you might have one of several problems. First, check the connectors in your existing trailer wiring harness and on the Jeep to make sure that none of the pins are bent, causing a short circuit when the harness is used.

Next, check the wiring all the way back to the 4-Way connector for pinched frayed or melted wires that could be causing the issue.

If you determine that a new trailer wiring harness is needed, I would recommend the Tow Ready Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring, # 118409 for your 2006 Jeep Wrangler. If you determine that rewiring the trailer is the fix for your problem, I would recommend using the 20 ft. Wishbone 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness, # A20WB, to rewire the trailer.

Next, check the 4-Way connector with a circuit tester, # PTW2993. If there is a problem when testing, you will either blow the fuse on the vehicle or the bulb in the circuit tester showing you which circuit the short is on.

If you find the the vehicle side 4-Way functions properly without a trailer connected, then your issue is not with the wiring harness, but with the trailer wiring. If you have a trailer with a tube frame that the wiring runs through, many boat trailers, you may have a wire that has rubbed through inside the trailer frame that is causing a short to ground. In this case you would need to pull the wires out of the trailer frame to find the short or rewire the trailer to eliminate the short. check all of the trailer wiring to be sure that any possible short circuit condition is eliminated.