What is Purpose of Converter Box On Tow Ready T-One Wiring Harness # 118336 For 2004 Acura MDX

Question

Question:

What is the black colored converter box located between the vehicle side plug and the trailer plug? What is its purpose? Does it prevent a short in the trailer wiring from taking out the vehicle lights? Kind of an isolator?

asked by: Lance P

0

Expert Reply:

The black converter box on Tow Ready T-One Wiring Harness, part # 118336, is for use with vehicles, like your 2004 Acura MDX that have separate turn and brake light wires. Some vehicles send only one signal per wire, creating what is called a 3-wire system: one wire for the left turn, one wire for the right turn, and one wire for the brake signal (common on vehicles with amber turn signals). A converter will reduce it to a standard 2-wire system needed for wiring a trailer. There are still additional wires for the running lights and for the ground.

Any vehicle with amber turn signals will need a converter. However, there are some vehicles with all-red tail lights that can also require a converter. A wiring harness with a converter has the black box built in it. Five wires go into the box, and only 4 come out. The converter transfers the brake signal on the vehicle into the left and right turn signals for the trailer wiring system.

I am including a link to the installation instructions on the wiring harness.

expert reply by: Jeff D

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Answer 1

Converters are required when a vehicle has what is called a 3-wire or separate lighting system. These systems will have turn signal circuits that are separate from the brake light circuits. Trailers use a 2-wire or combined system meaning the brake…

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Answer 2

The issue you are describing does indeed sound like a failed converter box. It is not uncommon for converter boxes to fail over time especially if they are not properly secured. You will need to replace the entire unit in order to get your trailer…

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Answer 3

Going by the colors that you mentioned, it sounds like you have the typical set-up, green wire for right turn and brake, white wire for ground, yellow wire for left turn and brake, brown with green wire for right side running lights, and brown with…

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Answer 4

The most likely cause for the turn signals not to work when the running lights are on with your trailer is a bad or weak ground. It's very possible that a weak ground connection can be just strong enough to allow sufficient current for some…

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Answer 5

When you test the 4-Way on the Curt T-Connector Wiring Harness, part #56016, at the rear of your vehicle, it should show now power on all 3 pins with the lights off. If you have the vehicle head lights on, you should have around 12 volts at the brown…

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Answer 6

It might be the tester. If the tester uses LED lights and it is a powered harness there can be some bleed off from the harness. This is normal and since LED lights require such little power draw they would light up a little. If you are using Curt…

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Answer 7

It could be a tow package fuse on the vehicle. Use the owners manual to find the locations of fuses/relays related to the tow package wiring to check them and replace as needed. If the issue is not a fuse or relay then you can test the vehicle side…

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Answer 8

It sounds like there may be a damaged or missing fuse on your 2020 Subaru Ascent. I recommend checking your fuse panel for any damaged or missing fuses that are identified as trailer or turn signal fuses. You can also test the wiring going into the…

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Answer 9

Trailer and vehicle 4-way connectors like you'll find with the 4-Way Flat Trailer Wiring Kit - Vehicle and Trailer Ends #HM48205 do not actually have a hot - or power - wire. As you can see by the cut out I added of the linked help article on…

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Answer 10

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 11

Converter boxes for trailer wiring can become internally damaged if they end up getting shorted out. What you will want to do is test the wires going into the box of the converter box for voltage with a circuit tester like the #PTW2993 to see if…

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Answer 12

Since you found low voltage when testing the right side signal light pin on the vehicle connector, you have at least isolated the issue to the truck. If all the wires appear to be in good condition, then the issue is likely either a weak ground like…

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What is Purpose of Converter Box On Tow Ready T-One Wiring Harness # 118336 For 2004 Acura MDX

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