Trailer Brakes Lock Up with a 2011 Nissan Xterra

Updated 09/17/2018 | Published 09/15/2018

Question:

I have a 2011 Nissan exterra that I have installed a 7 pin wire harness. All parts just plug into each other and I had already had a 4 flat installed so all of the relays are in place behind the kick plate. When I hook the vehicle to the trailer the brakes lock up on the trailer and I have no lights. Not sure what’s going on. Any information will help. Thank you.

asked by: Todd

Helpful Expert Reply:

The issue you described is a very common problem on 2005-2013 Nissan Xterras. The manufacturer had switched the blue brake output wire and black 12 volt wire which then caused the brakes to lock up when the trailer connector was plugged in. The good news is that it is an easy fix which entails just switching the wires back around which can be seen in the attached help article.

The above issues is however not really going to cause the trailer lights to not work. Therefore, your first step would be to check the fuses and relays to make sure they are not blown. If not then you will need to move onto the ground for each trailer connector in addition to tracing the wires back to check for shorts. If none of the lights are working then odds are you have a blown fuse(s).

expert reply by: Conner L