2008 CRV Brake Light Wiring

[Muddypaws]

I was able to install the tow plate in about 3 hours but I stopped when it came to installing the wiring kit.


If you've wired one of these I have a few questions:


Did you run the wire through the firewall? If so, where did it pass thru and how do you take off the interior plastic panels without breaking them. I'm mostly concerned with the ones nearest the brake lights but if there's a trick to getting the kick panels off I'd like to know it.


If you ran the wires on the frame how did you do it.

Thanks,
Muddypaws

[ahicks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddypaws I was able to install the tow plate in about 3 hours but I stopped when it came to installing the wiring kit. If you've wired one of these I have a few questions: Did you run the wire through the firewall? If so, where did it pass thru and how do you take off the interior plastic panels without breaking them. I'm mostly concerned with the ones nearest the brake lights but if there's a trick to getting the kick panels off I'd like to know it. If you ran the wires on the frame how did you do it. Thanks, Muddypaws

'03 CR-V - I drilled a dedicated hole sized for a grommet I picked out ahead of time. Drilled firewall outboard of the hole for the brake cable, accessing the area from the wheel well if I remember right. From there I ran the wire back following the carpet line. Jamming it up under the plastic kick panel and thresholds (without removing them!) until I got to the back seat, where I pulled the quarter panel plastic to finish up. All this was no fun, took maybe 45 minutes to run the wire front to rear.

[Norm4015]

I installed separate lights in my 2007 CR-V. I first wired the passenger side tail light and ran the wires down the panel and under the panel across the cargo area and up to the drivers side tail light. From there I dropped the wires down an opening to underneath the CR-V. I tied them under the CR-V and went along the underneath of the trim beneath the CR-V under the trim under the doors. From there I tied them under the engine area and to the front where I installed the plug. All wires are out of sight and I did not have to drill any holes, except to install the extra bulbs. I have had no problems in towing about 30,000 miles.

[Muddypaws]

How do you remove the plastic panels in the rear without breaking them?

[Jupiter]

02' CRV - I ran the wire bundle from the engine compartment down to the frame without going through the firewall. Of course, i tied all wires tightly and often with wire ties and entered existing holes in the frame (drivers side) very close to the engine compartment. I was able to stay inside the frame to just in front of the rear axle. Then, I carefully tied the bundle tightly to existing brackets, etc. In a manner that would not interfere with any moving or hot components. I then worked a fish tape down from the tail light assembly and pulled the main bundle ( and the passenger bundle) up to the drivers side tail light. At that point I connected the passenger side wire bundle and then routed the passenger wire across behind the bumper and fished up to the assembly.

IMHO the wiring is very secure and not exposed to likely damage with perhaps the exception of the section behind the bumper to crossover to the passenger tail light. I would feel better if there were more attachment points behind the bumper but it is up out of the way should not easily snag on anything.

Routing this way is a personal preference. Of course, I'm not advocating for this method. Simply mentioning a different pathway option.

Joopy

[Norm4015]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muddypaws How do you remove the plastic panels in the rear without breaking them?

I didn't remove any panels when I did my 2007 CR-V. I slightly raised the plastic panel that runs along the back of the cargo area and tucked the wired under it. To remove the taillights I removed two screws and "popped" the lights out. All the panels are held in with clips so if you need to remove a panel just pop it out and then pop it back in.