How to Install a 4 Pole to 5 Pole Adapter for Adding a Reverse Light Circuit

Question:

If I add a 4 pole to 5 pole converter for trailer back up lights/reverse brake release, does the extra wire from the converter connect to either of the two back up lights? If so, which wire? There are two wires into each back up bulb socket.

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

The extra wire on a 4 Pole to 5 Pole adapter like part # 20036, will connect to one of the two wires running to the reverse light bulb. You can use either the passenger or the driver side, it makes no difference.

In order to determine which wire you need to splice into, you will either need to use a circuit tester, like part # PTW2993, or since there is only two wires you can just go by trial and error. You need to find the wire that goes hot or active when you put the Mariner into reverse. The other is possibly a ground wire.

Remember to take some electrical tape and wrap it around the quick splice when you have spliced the wires and tested them.

expert reply by: Patrick B