Trailer Plug is a 4-Way Flat But there are 6 Wires

Question

Question:

My trailer has a white green yellow and brown my trailer lights have a white green yellow and to Browns what do I do

asked by: Paul

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your trailer had a wishbone harness and/or could have multiple ground wires. On a 4-Way trailer end, the one covered pin is the ground. Next to that is the running light pin. The running light pin on some connectors will have more than 1 wire coming out. One of those wires is for the driver's side running lights and the other is for the passenger's side running lights. So it could be a situation like that.

On the actual trailer lights look at where the wires go into the lights. The functions might be labeled on the light housing.

Usually, white wires are grounds, green is right turn signal/brake lights, yellow is left turn signal/brake lights, and brown is running lights.

If you'd like you can snap some pictures of what you're seeing and email them to me.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Micheal C.

2/11/2020

I have a trailer with a yellow, yellow brown,green, green with brown,brown wire, white how do wire to 4 wire plug.

Reply

Jacob H.

2/12/2020

It sounds like your trailer has a wishbone harness. A wishbone harness splits the running light circuit at the connector so you do not have to run a jumper from one side of the trailer to the other side. On a wishbone 4-Way connector the white wire is ground, yellow is left turn signal, yellow/brown is left side running lights, green is right turn signal, and green/brown is right side running lights. If there is a 5th pin then this most likely goes to an electric reverse lockout solenoid for hydraulic brakes, typically found on boat trailers. It could also be electric brake if the trailer is not a boat trailer but is still equipped with brakes. If the trailer is not equipped with breaks at all then it is most likely a reverse light signal. Lastly, it could be a 12V power wire run for any accessories that might be on the trailer. To wire up your trailer you will need # 20036. I have linked a helpful article to help you get it wired up correctly.

Helpful Links

faq-wiring.aspx

Wiring/Tow-Ready/20036.html

Reply

David B.

3/27/2021

Problem: 6 wires coming from trailer, 4 wires from vehicle pin connector. Solution : Simply connect colors together, All brown together with brown, and all white together with white. Green with green, yellow with yellow. Reason: Two ground (white) one for each side. Marker and tail lights (brown) one for each side. (Green) right stop and turn (Yellow) left stop and turn. On some aluminum trailers, there is no visible ground on the tongue. The ground wire runs to the individual lights, thus the need for one on each side. Source : School of Hard Knocks

Reply

Kef G.

3/30/2021

@DavidB While it's likely in your situation that matching the colors will work out, it's always important to remember that this isn't always the case. That's why we recommend verifying the functions for each wire and going that route. Sometimes the colors don't end up matching since many manufacturers like to use their own color schemes.

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See All (7) Replies to Micheal C. ∨

Answer 1

Since you have six wires it sounds to me like you have a double ground and a left and a right side tail light wire. If this is the case you could use a wishbone harness like the 20 ft. Wishbone 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness with 30" Ground Wire,…

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Answer 2

I have a solution for you, but you won't want to use a 5 flat connector since the additional wire there is used for the reverse light circuit-which is not present on a 4 way flat. It looks like you've got a wishbone wiring harness with 2…

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Answer 3

It sounds like you have something similar to a wishbone wiring harness with 2 running light circuits and then also 2 ground circuits. To replace this, I recommend the Hopkins Endurance Quick-Fix Replacement 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector w LED Test…

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Answer 4

I have a solution for you, but you will need to cut off your existing plug and re-wire this to a new 4 way connector. Your current trailer plug appears to have wires for the left (yellow) and right (green) turn signal, brown wires for the running…

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Answer 5

Typically, the wire colors are brown for running lights, green for right turn and brake lights, and yellow for left turn and brake lights. White is ground. To confirm this on a trailer you can trace the wires back to see where they terminate or take…

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Answer 6

Hey Don! Do you know your axle capacity? This information is something you will need, along with that leaf spring length. I'm assuming these are worn out so you either need to account for that in your measurement or measure the flat length as…

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Answer 7

Your 4-pin/5-wire wiring harness is what is called a "wishbone" type which simply means that there are two separate running light wires, one brown and one pink. This allows a separate running light wire for each side of the trailer which…

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Answer 8

It could be possible that your 2012 Boat trailer is wired with a wishbone style harness. Similar to Item #A25W2GWB. This type of harness just allows the installer to run each side separate rather than splicing and running extra wires across the…

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Answer 9

I have attached a copy of the instructions for the Tekonsha Upgraded ModuLite Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness #119179 so that you can have a copy. We do offer this same item as a Kit #119179KIT that includes a tester and the required…

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Answer 10

I recommend using the Roadmaster wiring for your 2024 Ford Maverick because I've found it to be the most reliable on the market. The correct kit depends on if your Maverick has LED lights or not: - LED Lights #RM38FR - Non-LED Lights #RM-15267…

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Answer 11

On a trailer the brake lights and turn signals operate on the same wire/bulb. So, it is odd when the turn signals work, but the brake lights don't. There are 3 possible causes for this that are more likely than any of the other possible causes.…

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Answer 12

I hate to say it but the Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector part #HM11143875 does not have a serviceable converter. I would check your owner's manual first to ensure that you did not simply blow a…

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Trailer Plug is a 4-Way Flat But there are 6 Wires

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