Running Light Circuit on 2012 Honda Pilot Wiring Harness Stopped Working

Updated 08/05/2014 | Published 08/02/2014

Question:

I installed item 118265 this spring. While towing my boat today , I noticed that the running lights had quit working on the boat trailer. Upon trouble shooting the 7 way harness with a multimeter I was unable to get a reading from the brown wire. The other pins were working fine for both turn signals. Is there a fuse that could have blown that would only affect the brown tail light/ running light wire? Is there any other trouble shooting that I can accomplish? Could there be a failure in the trailer light kit itself? I dont think its a ground problem as the other two wires are working fine. I noticed while answering another similar question, the expert stated If there is no power on the 7-Way then there is most likely a bad relay or something is wrong inside the converter and it will need to be replaced This appears to be the same problem that I am having. Is there a way to trouble shoot the relays/ converter? Which one would/could be causing the problem?

asked by: Chris L

Expert Reply:

Yes there could be a bad fuse or relay that is causing this problem on your 2012 Honda Pilot. You can consult the vehicle owners manual for all of the fuses/relays related to the tow package wiring. It is possible that one of the relays or the fuse in wiring kit # 118265 has gone bad. But the only way to test a relay is to use a known good relay in its place.

A fuse or relay or the converter itself could be the problem. You would have to replace the relays and fuses and if it still does not have power on the running light circuit then it would be the converter most likely.

A fuse you could get at any auto parts store. But the relays you may have to go to a Honda dealer to obtain. You will also need to make sure that both the vehicle and trailer connectors are clean and free of corrosion inside and out.

expert reply by: Michael H