7-way trailer connector to 4-way tow vehicle problems

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kandk715@hotmail.com - 08 Aug 2006 04:26 GMT

Just got a 92 Coleman popup and trying to get the lights working.
There are no brakes on the trailer, so all I need is the lights
working. My 4-way on the tow vehicle works just fine on my other
trailers with 4-way connectors, but the new trailer has a 7-way
connector.

I have an adapter and from what I can tell, all is wired correctly,
common ground white on the 7-way to the white on the 4-way,
red on 7-way to yellow on 4-way,
brown on 7-way to green on 4-way, and
green on 7-way to brown on 4-way.

With headlights on tow vehicle on, blinkers are dim at best, and when
brake pedal is pressed, all lights go out. With headlights off blinkers

work, but again, when brake pedal is pushed all lights go out.

Tow vehicle is a 2004 Grand Caravan with dealer installed hitch and
4-way connector.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Calif Bill - 08 Aug 2006 05:03 GMT

> Just got a 92 Coleman popup and trying to get the lights working.
> There are no brakes on the trailer, so all I need is the lights
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.accessconnect.com/trailer_wiring_diagram.htm

Brown is running lights. Turn on the tow vehicle lights and use a meter to
find out which lead is then hot on the tow vehicle. Then hook it up to the
brown on the trailer.

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Rich256 - 08 Aug 2006 15:14 GMT

>> Just got a 92 Coleman popup and trying to get the lights working.
>> There are no brakes on the trailer, so all I need is the lights
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> find out which lead is then hot on the tow vehicle. Then hook it up to the
> brown on the trailer.

That's brown on the 4 pin. When it gets to the 7 pin it is green.

On a Chrysler product the running lights are listed as black or black
with yellow stripe.

Confusing though that the 4 pin works with other trailers.

As you point out he really needs to use a voltmeter to check out the
voltages before proceeding. Improperly wired he could do some damage to
the tow vehicle plugging it in.

As far as the 7 pin wire goes, he could make up a fused jumper wire and
with a charged trailer battery, jump the top two pins on the connector
(12 volts and running lights). Also could jump from the 12 volt to each
of the turn brake lamps. Best to have a fuse because would not want to
burn out some wiring if there is a short.

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kandk - 09 Aug 2006 02:20 GMT

> >> Just got a 92 Coleman popup and trying to get the lights working.
> >> There are no brakes on the trailer, so all I need is the lights
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
> of the turn brake lamps. Best to have a fuse because would not want to
> burn out some wiring if there is a short.

Trailer wiring appears stock. Doubled the ground besides the big
ground that is connected to the trailer plug from the main trailer
wiring harness I attached another to the trailer frame and then to the
same post on the plug as the main wire.

Problem right now is when headlights are on, running lights on trailer
are on like they should be, when blinker is on all lights flash does
not matter whether right or left. When brake pedal is pressed, all
lights go off on the trailer.

With headlights not on and either turn signal on, turn signals on
trailer work fine, but when brake is pressed, all lights flash.

Frustrating! Not sure what exactly to test. As I said before,
connection from the tow vehicle works perfectly with my other two
trailers with 4-way connectors.

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Frank Tabor - 09 Aug 2006 02:39 GMT

>> >> Just got a 92 Coleman popup and trying to get the lights working.
>> >> There are no brakes on the trailer, so all I need is the lights
[quoted text clipped - 57 lines]
>connection from the tow vehicle works perfectly with my other two
>trailers with 4-way connectors.

That really, really sounds like a bad ground. Connect a ground wire
from the trailer frame to the vehicle frame. Try that.

Signature

Frank Tabor

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kandk - 09 Aug 2006 03:21 GMT

> >> >> Just got a 92 Coleman popup and trying to get the lights working.
> >> >> There are no brakes on the trailer, so all I need is the lights
[quoted text clipped - 62 lines]
> --
> Frank Tabor

Well Frank, that did it. Then disconnected that, and actually hooked
the trailer to the tow vehicle, all be damned, that worked too!
(*hanging head in shame *)

Thanks all, I knew I had the wiring right!!

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Rich256 - 09 Aug 2006 04:03 GMT

>>>>>> Just got a 92 Coleman popup and trying to get the lights working.
>>>>>> There are no brakes on the trailer, so all I need is the lights
[quoted text clipped - 66 lines]
>
> Thanks all, I knew I had the wiring right!!

So the problem is that somewhere the ground wire is not connected. I
would suspect the white wire on the trailer because you said the system
works with other trailers.

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Jim Redelfs - 09 Aug 2006 13:39 GMT

[C'mon, you guys: Is it REALLY that much trouble to edit your replies?)

> Well Frank, that did it. Then disconnected that, and actually hooked
> the trailer to the tow vehicle, all be damned, that worked too!

That reveals that the ground THROUGH the towing "pigtail" isn't making a
proper connection at one end, the other, or both.

Didn't they used to say that the HITCH provided the ground connection and, for
that reason, NOT to lubricate the ball?

Of course, that has LONG SINCE been debunked, IIRC.

> ...all be damned

Harumph! Just what kind of gratitude is THAT?!?!?? <snotty grin>

Signature

:)
JR

2000 Skamper Ultra 249 TT
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Vortec 8100 - Allison 1000

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