Stereo Loses Memory Settings After # 118409 Trailer Connector was Installed on Jeep Wrangler

Question:

Product: 118409 T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector. I installed this harness back in Sept 2014. Before that, I had a Pioneer DEH-X9500BHS radio with Amp and subwoofer new battery installed for approximately one year. Immediately after installing harness 118409, the radio would lose memory. Wife mentioned it but I didnt put 2 and 2 together. All settings gone. When the Jeep is turned on, the setup screen would come on. Only in the rarest occasions would it not come on. No lights are attached to the T-one and the dust cover is utilized for the 4-pole. As soon as I took the Harness off and reconnected the lights, the memory works. The only thing I could think of is a bad ground, but am open to other ideas. All convenience is lost if I have to go under the vehicle each time I need access to lighting my trailer. It is amazing how this was the last thing I figured to check!

asked by: Steven H

Expert Reply:

The taillight circuits of the Jeep Wrangler and circuits for the stereo are completely unrelated, so I can't see any way how the installation of the # 118409 T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness could affect how the stereo operates. The T-One operates by tapping into the existing taillight circuits, and even a poor ground connection for the T-One should only affect the operation of the trailer taillights, and not the stereo. I've checked with one of my buddies in the Tech Services department at Tow Ready, who confirms this.

All this being said, a poor ground connection can cause all kinds of goofy stuff to happen. You can check the ground connection for the trailer harness, to make sure it's firmly attached to clean, un-corroded metal, preferably on the vehicle frame. You can also check the ground connection for the stereo.

expert reply by: Mike L