Replacing 4-Pole Trailer Connector on Snow Bear Trailer

Updated 11/30/2012 | Published 11/26/2012

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Question:

Hi there. I have a snowbear trailer that needed a big chunk of wiring replaced. The trailer had a standard 4-pole flat connector that wen to one of the large round connectors that plugged into my 2009 Honda Ridgeline. My scenario: the trailer 4-pole unit actually had five wires, and I got flat 4 replacement for the bad secton of wire. My question: Can I join the 5 wires I have to the flat 4 Ive replaced the bad stuff with? Im left with what appears to be an extra brown, and the brake lights and turn signals dont function. What is the proper wiring method, if its possible. Please and thanks! P.S. All fuses are fresh and functioning and all grounds are connected that I can see.

asked by: Rob

Expert Reply:

It sounds like the original wiring harness on that trailer was what is known as a wishbone harness.

They will typically have 5 wires, green for right turn/brake, yellow for left turn/brake, white for ground and two brown wires for running lights. Sometimes one brown wire will have a green stripe and the other will have a yellow. This is done so that one running lamp circuit can run down either side of the trailer. If this is the case, you would connect the two running light circuits to the brown wire from the # 18004 trailer connector. If your wire colors are different, you might need to use a car battery to apply 12-volts to each wire to determine its function.

Make sure that the white ground wire from the 18004 is securely grounded to the trailer frame.

If your brake/turn signals still do not work, use a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 on the trailer connector of the Ridgeline as each lighting function is activated. I am confident that once you get the trailer connector wired correctly, everything will work correctly. If it does not, please get back with me and I will help you get everything straightened out.

expert reply by: Mike L