Replacing a 4-Way Connector on Trailer with 7 Wires

Question

Question:

So I am replacing a flat 4-way connector attached to my boat trailer for trailer lights. I bought a standard 4-way connector to replace it and I am in the midst of splicing the matching wires. I noticed that the old connector has 7 wires leading to the 4 prongs. 1 yellow, 1 yellow/black, 1 green, 1 green/black, 1 brownish white, 1 white/black, and 1 white. I know for sure that the white is ground, yellow and green are signals/brakes. The brownish white should be running lights. This leaves me with 3 leftover wires, all black striped. What are these wires for? If I just connect the 4 wires that match the colors for the new connector, everything works except for the running tail lights. Even the marker lights turn on, but not the tail lights. Im lost and do not want to rip my trailer apart to figure this out. I imagine that those black striped wires have to go somewhere. Not sure where.

asked by: Cory B

0

Expert Reply:

From the information that you have given, I suspect that you have some additional ground wires on your trailer.

Without being there to actually see the trailer, my best recommendation would be to wire the connector as follows:
Green to Green for Right Turn
Yellow to Yellow for Left Turn
Yellow/Black and Green/Black to Brown for Running Lights
White, White/Black, and Brownish White to White for Ground

If the lighting on your trailer still isn't working as it should, I recommend providing power to each individual wire with a car battery to determine it's function and then wire accordingly.

expert reply by: Leah S

0

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Sounds like each of the taillight circuits on your 4-way have a two wires ran to them for each side of the trailers wiring. This is pretty common and what you can do is wire the two wires of each pin to the single wires of a new 4-way like the…

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Answer 4

Hey Nick, thanks for reaching out! Your Curt Powered Tail Light Converter #C59236 has that power wire just to power the lights on your trailer so they don't draw on the circuits of your vehicle. To upgrade your wiring you'll need the…

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Answer 5

In order to help you troubleshoot this issue I need to ask you a few questions. On the trailer, do the turn signals operate properly, meaning do they flash at the expected rate? Were the LEDs installed recently as replacements or are they the…

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Answer 6

In regards to the Hopkins 7-Way RV Style Trailer Connector part #HM48503, the left turn "LT" and right turn "RT" signals are the only ones that should be flashing while activated. If you have other circuits flashing that means…

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

That is definetly unusual for all of the lights on the Hopkins 7-Way #HM48503 to be on at the same time, as that would mean that power is getting sent to all of the pins on your vehicles 7-way connector at the same time. Since there are no lights…

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Answer 9

It's possible that you are drawing too much amperage on the running light circuit of the part #118562 that you installed. The running light circuit can only draw up to 7.5 amps so if you have a lot of running lights/clearance lights on your…

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

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Answer 12

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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Replacing a 4-Way Connector on Trailer with 7 Wires

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