Major screwup!

[MSHappyCampers]

I was trying to run down a problem with my turn signals. The MH had an old trailer connection on the back for towing a utility trailer, and it was badly corroded. I decided to cut it out of the circuit since it wasn't needed anymore.

The wires for the 7-pin RV connector were spliced in with the old connector wires. I cut the wires to the old connector.

There is an encapsulated module wired in also, and I very foolishly cut the wires to it, thinking it had something to do with the old connector! I realized after doing it that I should have checked the operation of the toad lights before removing that module! I wired the module back up, from memory, and now no lights on the toad work!

The module is about 2"x3"x1/2". It has red, yellow, and green wires out one end, and green and yellow wires out the other end. Does anyone have any idea what this module could be for?

I'm desperate as we have a trip planned for next weekend!

[deandec]

Maybe a Tail Light Combiner?

https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Hopk...kaAqcEEALw_wcB

( Scroll down this page a bit to see example.)

Only needed if the MH has yellow turn signal lights and the towed vehicle does not.

[MSHappyCampers]

The adapter below looks exactly like the one I have! Only thing is, the MH AND the toad have separate amber turn signals, so if I'm reading this right then the converter wouldn't be required. The toad was wired using diodes.


https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Tow-Ready/118158.html

[Old Scout]

...interesting--without a combiner box, I know a combined stop/turn signal towed wont work with an RV having separate amber lights....not sure what happens if you try to use a combiner box with an amber turn signal towed and an amber signal RV??????

[Alpine36]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

The adapter below looks exactly like the one I have! Only thing is, the MH AND the toad have separate amber turn signals, so if I'm reading this right then the converter wouldn't be required. The toad was wired using diodes.


https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Tow-Ready/118158.html

Correct, no converter required. You'll need to utilize the 7 wire connector that has a separate stop lamp circuit. (Lt, Rt, stop, tail, ground, and 12v for breakaway/batt charge)
Or....depending on your toad add a 1157 style dual element socket to you toad tail lights. In that case use the coach converter.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Alpine36

Correct, no converter required. You'll need to utilize the 7 wire connector with a separate stop lamp circuit. (Lt, Rt, stop, tail, ground, and 12v for breakaway/batt charge)

Yup, I have the 7-wire connector. Guess that adapter module was there for the old trailer hookup that I disconnected. Now if I can figure out how to remove this adapter and get everything hooked up straight!

[Alpine36]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Yup, I have the 7-wire connector. Guess that adapter module was there for the old trailer hookup that I disconnected. Now if I can figure out how to remove this adapter and get everything hooked up straight!

Sometimes it's easier just to start over by cutting out all the old splices you more than likely have. It may behouve you to keep the combiner module and add a flat4 harness also. (I did, sometimes we take the boat or utility trailer and dirt bikes ilo toad)
Just a thought, your already there, minimal cost.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Joe-

A 4-pin and a 7-pin share these signals:

Ground
Left turn/stop
Right turn/stop
Parking lights

I would guess that the "combiner box" is needed for both connectors, and was wired that way. This is in spite of the fact that the coach and toad have separate turn signals.

So, you need to break out the voltmeter and check for signals on the 7-pin connector and any wires that are just floating around. Then, put it back together.

Send me a PM with your phone number and I'll give you a call to help.

[deandec]

Remember, the attitude of the 7 pin tow vehicle plug is a mirror image of the attitude of the Towed vehicle plug as you are looking at the ends of each plug....

Somehow this always confuses me for several attempts.

I do it wrong and get no lights because the ground pin is not connected at the 7 pin plug.

[MSHappyCampers]

UPDATE- Well, the converter module wasn't the problem after all. I removed it from the circuit and connected the wires straight through. Using a voltmeter to check the connections at the 6-pin side of the coil cord that connects between the MH and toad, I discovered that the ground pin was not getting connection part of the time.

I found that the connector is a Curt #58080. Nobody here had one in stock, but I had AutoZone order one that came in the next day! It was only $3.99 where most other suppliers, including Amazon, was right at $7. I cut the cord back about 3" behind the old connector and installed the new one.

Everything seems to be fine now. I guess that converter module was for the old trailer hookup that I disconnected.

[Dark Sky]

Nice!!! Fixed in time to go.

[MSHappyCampers]

Final (I hope) update!

I replaced the 6-pin connector on the coil cord but that didn't solve the problem. I could wiggle that end and the lights would go on and off! Then I replaced the 6-pin connector on the car and that problem was solved!

After doing this, everything worked except I didn't have any brake lights!

I finally realized that I do need the converter that I had removed and thrown away! I ordered the Curt 58240 converter, installed it, and FINALLY everything is working!

[txcpl]

Glad to see everything finally worked out.

[Spdracr39]

Just to point out to those doing research many times you need the converter because a lot shops wire the light harness to only use the red tail lights even if the toad has both red and amber lights. Almost all the wiring kits I have seen only include the 4 wires that a standard 4 pin connector would use.