Towing a Trailer with Separate Brake Lights and Turn Signals with a 2005 Pontiac Vibe with 4-Way

Products Featured in This Question

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(118)

$41.00

2-to-3 Tail Light Converter for Towed Vehicles w/ Incandescent Tail Lights

(166)

$34.04

Hopkins Endurance 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector - Trailer End - Ergonomic Design

(117)

$8.37

Question:

I purchased a Tow Ready 118458 T connector wiring assy for my Vibe. It has the 4 flat connector for the car. My trailer has a 6 round connector. The breakdown for the wiring on the trailer is looking head on at trailer plug starting at top center and going clockwise Top center: brown TM/running lites white: gnd yellow: left turn signal green: right turn signal red: stop center: aux. I purchased a 4 flat vehicle to 6 round trailer adaptor. I grounded the white connector to the vehicle and did not use to brake controller connection nor the power connection. I plugged the trailer to the adapter. I have no running lights when I turn on the right turn signal, both lights on the right side blink as does the bottom light on the left side. When I turn on the left turn signal, both lights on the left side blink and also the bottom light on the right side. The brake lights work fine. The rear lights on the Aspen are an amber color lens on top with a single filament bulb and red color lens on bottom with a double filament bulb. Any help?

asked by: Jimmy J

Helpful Expert Reply:

It sounds like the trailer has separate turn signal and brake light circuits. This is not common on trailers in the US. Trailer wiring for vehicles also have combined turn signal and brake light circuits so that is one problem.

You will need to install a converter, # 118158, to separate out the signals.

You will replace the 6-Way on the trailer with a 4-Way trailer end, # HM48110. Then you would hardwire its wires to the input side of the converter; green to green, yellow to yellow, brown will bypass the converter. Ground both white wires to the trailer frame.

On the output side you will have a yellow wire for left turn signal only, red for brake lights only, and green for right turn only. Attach those wires as needed to the trailer wiring. The brown running light wire will attach to the running light wiring on the trailer like normal.

expert reply by: Michael H