Wiring a 2000 Chevy Astro with 4-Way Trailer Connector, Part # 18002
Updated 09/10/2009 | Published 09/07/2009
Question:
I have a 2000 astro van. it has a 8 wire configuration...and i want to wire this 8 wire config to accept my 4 wire trailer system...but the van has two ground wireswhite and two greens of various shades, a blue, orange ,yellow, brown and yellow wires...both greens show up on my multi meter when the passnger blinker is on and both grounds show up on the multi meter as well....but with both the greens and the whites showing up on the multi meter there is one of each that shows up consistently with higher numbers on the meter as well. I previously thought that it was my old boat trailer wiring harness that had a problem till i just wired my new trailer and the same thing occurs as with my boat trailer....I.E...when i put the blinkers on it both trailer lights flash like hazards and when the brakes go on both trailer lights go out...and the marker lights dont shine but not sure if they work when i put the brakes on...can you help me
asked by: chris c
Expert Reply:
To wire your Chevy Astro with a 4-way connector, you will need the connector itself, part # 18002. To attach the connector to your van, the wires on the connector would wire up color for color to the existing wiring on the vehicle. The dark green wire on the vehicle carries the right directional and brake light signal (which when tested with a circuit tester, should show current when the right turn signal is activated). This wire attaches to the green wire on the trailer connector. The yellow wire on the truck carries the left directional and brake light signal, and connects to the yellow wire on the connector. The brown wire carries the signal for the running/tail/marker lights, and connects to the brown wire on the connector. The larger gauge white wire on the van should go to ground, attach this to the white wire on the connector. The remaining wires are not needed for a 4-way connector, but serve the following purposes. The smaller gauge white wire is for a third taillight, the light green wire carries the signal from the reverse lights. The blue wire would carry the output from a brake controller, and the orange wire would carry 12V for any trailer accessories.
The issue you are having with the trailer lights sounds like a ground problem. Make sure that the trailers connector is securely grounded to clean metal on the trailer frame. Also check the lamps themselves, making sure that they are securely connected to the trailer, and that the point where they connect to the trailer is not corroded.
