Nissan Tow Package Wiring Harness 118266/118267 - 7 Way Harness Installed and Electric Brakes Locked

Technical Bulletin

SUBJECT/Summary: Installing Nissan tow package wiring harness 118266/118267 on 2005-2013 Nissan Frontiers and Xterras, 2005-2012 Nissan Pathfinders, and 2009-2013 Suzuki Equators.

PROBLEM: The electric brake and battery charge wires in the main harness are reversed on a small number of Nissan and Suzuki vehicles with factory tow package wiring. This issue has been found on very few vehicles but includes all models that use the 118266 and 118267 harnesses. The reversed wiring will cause the trailer's electric brakes to lock as soon as the trailer is plugged into the vehicle's 7-way and the vehicle's ignition is in the run position.

SOLUTION: If this occurs, determine whether the problem is with the vehicle or the trailer. First, disconnect the trailer's plug and the electric brake control from the vehicle. Next, verify the vehicle's 7-way functions; specifically the battery charge pin (#4 in the diagram), and the electric brake pin (#2 in the diagram) with a test light or voltmeter to ensure the functions are correct.

Isolate The Source of The Problem

To test, start the vehicle, attach the test light or voltmeter to ground, and touch the probe to the electric brake and battery charge pins one at a time, noting whether the light illuminates to indicate that power or voltage is present. If power was NOT detected on the electric brake and WAS detected on battery charge, the problem is with the trailer. If power WAS detected on the electric brake and NOT on the battery charge, the vehicle harness is reversed, and it will need to be repaired.

Repair The Connector

To repair the connector, choose one of the two repair options described below. Note: You may find it easier to repair the 2-pin black connector that contains the black and blue wires if you remove the 7-way connector.

Repair Option 1

This option is the best for the longevity of the harness because no splices are used. For this option you will need a small screwdriver and a pick tool, a terminal release tool, or a similar tool.

Remove white retainer from black housing

First, remove the tape that attaches the conduit to the wires and pull the tubing back. Then remove the white retainer from the black housing by inserting the screwdriver between the housing and retainer. (Note the orientation of the retainer in the housing for installation later.)

Turn the connector over. Starting at the inside of the connector, insert the tool into the connector until it stops. Twist the tool outward then put downward pressure on the wire assembly in which the wire and connector will slide out. Repeat on both sides.

dismantled Nissan and Suzuki OEM wiring harness

With the harness unpinned we are left with three pieces, the housing, the retainer and the harness. If the white gasket comes loose from the terminal it can be reinserted later during assembly.

Reassembled Nissan and Suzuki OEM wiring harness

With the locking tab up, reinsert wiring as shown. Ensure white gaskets are fully seated, replace the retainer, then reinstall the conduit, taping at the connector.

Repair Option 2

This option requires cutting both wires, then swapping and reattaching them. The best ways to ensure a proper connection and long life of the harness is to use either butt connectors or solder. In both cases, you should seal the splice with shrink wrap tubing. Begin by removing the tape and then pull back the conduit. Offsetting the splices will allow for both connectors to fit inside the conduit when finished. Measure 3" from the back of the black connector and cut the blue wire. Then measure 4" from the black connector and cut the black wire. Then cut the black wire again 2" from the back of the black connector. Discard the short section of wire, flip the connector 180 degrees and reattach the black wire to the blue and the blue to the black (make sure the shrink wrap is on the wire before connecting).

Length measurements on Nissan/Suzuki OEM Wiring Harnes

Nissan and Suzuki OEM wiring harness showing reversed wire colors

Using this method will allow the wiring to be completely concealed in the conduit, and it's weather tight.

Nissan and Suzuki OEM wiring harness showing wire colors after being reversed

Reinstall conduit tape at the connector, near the splice.

Bulletin Date: 03/04/2014

Bulletin Number: TB14-02

Melchor B.

3/23/2022

Please make a video on this repair. Your loyal customers will really appreciate it. Thank you !

Les D.

3/23/2022

@MelchorB thank you for your suggestion. With many thousands of parts it is just not possible to create a video for each of them. I will forward your request to our video team for their consideration. Thanks for being a loyal customer.

Jeremy C.

8/5/2023

Ditto on this. I've put some wear and tear on this trying to de-pin it. It isn't cooperating. That second picture couldn't be more vague. Not stoked about splicing a brand new harness

Mike L.

8/8/2023

@JeremyC Sorry the page was lacking. I'll get with our video folks to get a video once we get that particular vehicle through our facility.

Pete G.

8/9/2021

Looks & sounds easy but a video would be a great help. Trying to follow instructions, I may have destroyed a connector since the wire came out but the crimp connector is still inside the housing.

Klaus W.

5/1/2021

I have a 2018 Frontier and I have purchased the appropriate Curt harness and controller. My problem is that my brakes lock up (with or without the controller). I checked the outputs to the Aux (black wire) and the trailer brake (blue wire). The are both hot, so it is not a switched wire scenario. The trailer brakes release when I disconnect the brown relay. Checking input to the relay, there is constant current to the coil, activating the trailer brake circuit. Any thoughts on the cause of this and a rewire solution. As a note, all other functions work perfectly.

Jon G.

5/3/2021

That honestly sounds like something going on with the OEM wiring and you'd want to get it checked out. The only thing that would make sense for the aftermarket wiring to be an issue is if something was mis-wired inside that harness.

Explore Expert Info

on Wiring

Videos

for Wiring

Help Articles

for Wiring

Expert Answers

for Wiring

Curt Powered Tail Light Converter Installation - 2022 Toyota Sienna

Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring

Review of Tekonsha Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring - Trailer Hitch Wiring - 118811

Choosing the Right Brake Controller

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Installation - 2022 Nissan Frontier

Master Lock Trailer Coupler Lock Review

Curt Wiring - Trailer Connectors - C59236 Review

Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness Installation - 2022 Nissan Frontier

Redarc Tow-Pro Elite Trailer Brake Controller Installation - 2022 Nissan Frontier

Best 2023 Toyota Sienna Trailer Hitch Options

Best 2022 Nissan Frontier Trailer Hitch Options

Curt Class III Trailer Hitch Installation - 2022 Toyota Sienna

Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)

How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class

Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)

Determining Trailer Tongue Weight

5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches

Which Hitches are Made in the USA

Trailer Wiring Diagrams

Steel vs. Aluminum Ball Mounts

Choosing the Right Suspension Kit for Your Truck and Trailer

Wiring Trailer Lights with a 5-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)

How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop

The 5 Best Trailer Drop Hitches You Can Buy

Will Redarc Wiring Adapter Fit a 2023 Nissan Frontier with the Factory Tow Package

The Redarc instructions for the Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness #RED39FR you purchased only lists through 2019 because they haven't updated the instructions as of yet, but the adapter will fit your 2023 Nissan Frontier and allow you to install the…

view full answer...

Locating the Brake Control Plug on a 2023 Nissan Frontier

From what I could find, it looks like the plug for a trailer brake controller on your 2023 Nissan Frontier is located in the same location as the 2022 model year. That is behind the side panel by the OBD connector and is likely pushed back into the…

view full answer...

For your 2022 Nissan Frontier, I recommend Wiring Harness #C56225. As far as a hitch goes we do have a few options for your truck, however, I recommend one of best sellers, the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98869. This is a custom made class III…

view full answer...

You will want to choose a weight distribution hitch where your loaded tongue weight, which for a Lance 1575 with a GVWR of 3700-lbs should be no more than 555-lbs and will most likely be closer to 400-lbs. Based off those specs I recommend using the…

view full answer...

Trailer Wiring for a 2004 Nissan Frontier

Your vehicle requires a converter to convert the trucks 5-Wire system down to the 4-Wire system used on trailers. You will find a connection point behind the rear bumper on the passenger side frame rail, that you will use to plug in the Plug-N-Tow…

view full answer...

Can Stromberg Carlson Trailer Tray Cargo Carrier #CC-255 be Used with Weight Distribution

The weight of the Stromberg Carlson Trailer Tray Cargo Carrier for A-Frame Trailers #CC-255 is 65 lbs. You will be putting a 50 lb generator on it plus the weight of firewood. You will need to add all of these weights together and add that as…

view full answer...

Are Relays Required to Activate the Trailer Wiring Harness on a Nissan Frontier

On the Nissan Frontier and other Nissan vehicles, if the vehicle did not come with a factory tow package it will not have a functioning wiring harness even if one, like #118263, is added. There will be relays that will need to be inserted to make the…

view full answer...

Does the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness for a 2023 Toyota Sienna Have a Converter

The T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector part #TK69FR which is a fit for a 2023 Toyota Sienna does contain a converter or module box, whatever you want to call it really. We have found the T-One to be more reliable than…

view full answer...

Brake Control Plug Location in a 2022 Nissan Frontier

From what I can find on the 2022 Nissan Frontier, the plug for the brake controller that will let you use a harness like the Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers #3050-P is located just above the OBD connector, taped tight…

view full answer...

Curt Relay Kit Recommendation for a 2012 Nissan Frontier for Trailer Wiring Installation

You will need the Curt Relay Kit #C57000 to complete the wiring on your 2012 Nissan Frontier. Like you guessed, since your 2012 did not have the tow package it is missing a couple connection points. Check out the video I attached that shows these…

view full answer...

Trailer Hitch Recommendation for 2019 Nissan Titan

For your 2019 Nissan Titan I recommend the Curt hitch part #C13304 as it has the highest weight capacities and has the shortest install listed as well. I attached an install video and picture for you to check out as well.

view full answer...

Yes, the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver item #75282 is a confirmed fit for your 2022 Nissan Frontier. It has a maximum gross trailer weight of 5,000 lbs and a maximum tongue weight of 750 lbs. I have attached an installation video and…

view full answer...