Where to Tap Into the Reverse Light Wire on a 2012 Honda Odyssey for a 5-Way Trailer Connector

Updated 03/28/2013 | Published 07/14/2012

Products Featured in This Question

Tow Ready 4 Pole to 5 Pole Trailer Wiring Adapter

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$17.49

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

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$1.84

Firestone Fuse Circuit Tap Kit

(39)

$20.98

Question:

I have the 4 prong to 5 prong adapter to convert the 4 prong connection on my hitch to 5 prongs in order to connect my new trailer with surge brakes. The reverse lights are in the rear hatch and it appears the wiring come in through the top of the hatch. Does not seem this will be easy to access and of course I may need to splice in a longer wire. Is there a closer point at which i COULD MAKE THIS CONNECTION? And if so, how do I access it? Honda has been ZERO help thus far. My first issue with Honda, as they suggest surge brakes, but offer no way to connect the damn things !!! New boat come home next week and now this problem to resolve.

asked by: Doug P

Expert Reply:

Normally what you would do is remove the tail light assembly that contains the reverse lights and test the wires for the reverse light circuit and tap in there.

I have also heard that the reverse light circuit can be tapped into at the fuse panel inside the vehicle, under the hood, or in a wiring harness behind the driver side front kick panel. You would need to use the owners manual to determine where the fuse is for the reverse lights. If you tap in there you can use a fuse tap like # F2526. You would need a long length of extra wire like # 10-1-1, sold in 1 foot increments.

If the boat coupler has a manual lockout and not an electric lock out, you will not need the 4-Way to 5-Way adapter.

expert reply by: Michael H

Eric F.

3/3/2013

I have the same issue with an 07 Honda Odyssey. I need the reverse light lead, but it cannot be tapped into behind the lights because they are on the lift gate. Is it possible to tap in somewhere on the panel where the 4-pole harness attaches to the vehicle?

Patrick B.

3/28/2013

It is, ultimately the harness that provides the reverse signal has to get back to the body of the vehicle and up to the main harness. You just have to find it. If you can get behind the tail lights, you can use a circuit tester to find the reverse light signal. Move to the top of the hatch where you will find the harness going into the rest of the vehicle. Look for the wire there and verify the function. See if you can follow that circuit to the harness behind the tail lights on the body. Keep using the circuit tester to check function as you go. You can use the tester to check the panel where you plug the harness in as well. Something like part # PTW2992 will work.