Where Is the Trailer Running Light Fuse On a 2013 Honda Pilot With Factory Trailer Harness

Updated 03/26/2022 | Published 09/03/2019

Question:

I have a factory installed 7 blade connector outlet. The lights for the turn signals and brake light on the boat trailer work fine. The light for the nighttime rear tail lights dont work now. I have a 7 blade flat four connector piece and I suspected that could have failed so I purchased a replacement connector but that is exactly the same outcome with no rear running lights. The connector piece has lights to show if power is running to it and the one for rear running lights doesnt light up on both connector pieces. I checked all the fuses in the engine subfuse box and all seem to be intact. Do you have an idea where the problem might lie? I called my local trailer wiring expert company and they said there was possibly a separate fuse inside the car for dedicated for the factory installed trailer circuit. I called the Honda dealer and the parts dept were not sure they were aware of it. Thank you for your expertise in advance.

asked by: Richard W

Expert Reply:

I am not very familiar with the factory tow package for your 2013 Honda Pilot but if it is anything like the aftermarket trailer wiring harnesses we offer, the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness part # 118265 then the fuse for the trailer running lights will be located behind a panel in the trunk area which you can see in the attached photo. I took a look though the owner's manual and there was not a separate fuse for the trailer running lights listed so that leads me to believe it is on the harness like with the T-One.

If there are no fuses here then you would only have one other option which would be to physically take the vehicle into a dealer for service.

expert reply by: Conner L

click to enlarge

Akerue

8/1/2020

Just solved this problem in the same 2013 model. There are 4 fuse boxes in the vehicle. Near the tailgate, on the left side, there is a small box with just 4 fuses. I found 2 separate blown fuses here- a 20amp for the trailer running lights (brown wires on my trailer), and a 7.5amp for the trailer turn signals / brake lights (yellow/green on my trailer). Good luck

Taylor P.

8/25/2020

@Akerue thanks. Did they look blown? Mine appear fine. Looked at the 2 under the hood and 1 in the left rear. Where’s the 4th?

Akerue

9/1/2020

@TaylorP So the trailer brake lights and turn signals work fine if the tow vehicle headlights are turned on? Then my situation was not the same as what you are trying to figure out, sorry for incorrectly indicating that with my last post. Rereading this, I would follow Jon G.'s diagnosis, including the useful information at the link. Answering your question, the 4th fuse box is under the steering wheel next to the brake pedal, but as I recall, fuses for the trailer won't be found there. Finally: a 12v power source helped me test the trailer circuits in isolation from the tow vehicle.

3/26/2022

@Akerue, i have a 2011 pilot - this worked for me.. 20amp fuse in the left side of trunk was blown.. turns out it was a bad ground, that's why the fuse was blowing..

Taylor P.

8/12/2020

Only Running lights work when car lights are on. No brakes or signals. Fuses all appear ok. The small black boxes (Not the big one) in the aux compartment were warm. Any thoughts? (It worked fine last year)

Jon G.

8/25/2020

Since everything works until your vehicle running lights are on you either have a bad ground or short on your wiring or the harness is overloaded because you have too many running lights (see attached FAQ). Since the lights were working just fine before, this means that you need to check the grounds on your tow vehicle and your trailer, making sure that they are securely connected to a clean, bare-metal surface.

Helpful Links

faq-4-5-way-troubleshooting.aspx