factory trailer harness wiring problem

[Seanz0rz]

so today in wiring my trailer, i found a major problem with my truck's wiring.

when the left turn signal is on, the left signals of the vehicle flash, but on the trailer both signals flash (as if the hazards were on). the hazards work as normal, as does the right turn signal. i tested the trailer on my dad's superduty and the lights are fine, eliminating the trailer as a source of the problem. i also hooked up my volt meter and see both right and left indicators have voltage while the left signal is on, but only the right indicator has voltage when the right signal is on.

i have the "factory" hitch and wiring for my 1998 4runner. i pulled the left and right side panels off in the cargo area as much as i could and found the cables and such. nothing looks pinched or shorted, and they are definitely factory issued cables.

any idea on what might be causing this? it absolutely has to be fixed by monday morning! thanks!

[X-Tool Pimp]

Try replacing the plug itself, I had a similar prob with my old ranger

[Seanz0rz]

brand new plug... maybe ill try my old plug and see if it still happens.

[Erich_870]

It could be the converter box. I'm trying to remember what it looks like when the box is dead but if I recall correctly the turn signals blinked both sides when I found mine was dead. Funny thing is that I had to have it working by Monday :rofl: (Seriously, we had to be in Price Rupert by that Wed or we'd miss our ferry to Alaska)

The converter box is behind the left panel on the inside behind the tail light and is about the size of a deck of cards.

Erich

[YotaFun]

Sean I just recently started to have the same exact issue.
But both flash on any turn signal I pit on.

My coverter box is behind the passenger side for mine.
I am thinking my converter is going to since it just started happening and I tried changing the plug too.

I am thinking these converts might have a shelf life LOL!

[Seanz0rz]

i have that sub box affixed to my right panel, so i have to remove that before i can get any sort of look past the interior panel. on the left side i just have one wire that plugs into the harness and runs across the floor.

thanks for the help. ill be scouring the fsm later today and see what i can find out about it.

[X-Tool Pimp]

Make it easy on yourself, wire in a new converter right off the tail light wires and leave the old one in there.....

[YotaFun]

Make it easy on yourself, wire in a new converter right off the tail light wires and leave the old one in there.....


the current one is already wired into the wires...

[X-Tool Pimp]

That shouldnt matter as long as you tap into the wires at the tail light, the converters have there own trailer pulg coming right off them. It worked on my Ranger at least

[YotaFun]

That shouldnt matter as long as you tap into the wires at the tail light, the converters have there own trailer pulg coming right off them. It worked on my Ranger at least


that's what I mean, the converter is already wired right off the tails I believe.
I think its only really there to keep you from blowing fuses...

[X-Tool Pimp]

all it does is converts the amber lights to red so a 4 prong pulg can be ran.








Whats up Sean???? any luck

[Seanz0rz]

I'm at school prepping for my last final. Sequestered to my iPhone for a while. I'm tearing into it tomorrow. I'll keep y'all updated

[Seanz0rz]

ok so yesterday i unloaded the 4runner and tore into it. had to remove my sub box and a few other things until i could get the panel off. once off i found the controller taped to the sheet metal. not sure what tape they used but it was very strong!

once removed i inspected it. it is completely encased in rubber, so it is absolutely non serviceable. i tossed it down the driveway towards the trash where it belongs. on each tail light there is a harness that is connected in serial with the tail light harness. on the right side this harness comes out with wires for brake lights, parking lights, and the right turn signal, and on the left side it comes out with just the left turn signal. the left turn signal wire runs under the cargo area carpet to the right side. all 4 wires terminate with a ground into the controller that was previously removed. i cut the connector off of this harness.

then i seperated the wires, stripped them, and turned on my parking lights. with a multimeter, i found which wire gave me approx. 12V while the parking lights were on. this was wired to the new part i picked up at pepboys, which specifically said "for vehicles with separate turn indicators". all of the other wires were wired in the same fashion, soldered and covered in heat shrink.

trailer lights now work, no problem. actual wiring took me less than an hour, and that was one person running around the truck turning on the turn signals and wedging the brake pedal with a tool box.

i didnt get any pictures. more concerned with it working properly than doing a guide. hope this helps anyone with a similar problem. total cost was about 30 dollars for the new wiring, plus supplies i had lying around.