Trailer Left Brake/Turn Signal Goes On then Shuts Off w/Curt Wiring Harness on 2006 Mazda Tribute

Question:

I have a mazda tribute 2006 non-towing package. Purchase the curt connector for the vehicle to be able to plug it to my trailer. After i install the adapter to the vehicle side, I test it with a 4 pin flat trailer tester. The car was off and nothing was on. But the left tail light on the tester was glowing. I tested my blinkers with thr tester and they worked fine same with the running lights. Now when I plugged the adapter to my trailernew and works fine with another vehicle running lights works, right tail light and brakes work. But with the left theres issue. When i press the brake it lights up then die. Same as when i signal left. Any help is appreciated

asked by: Toufue M

Expert Reply:

To determine where the problem is first disconnecting the trailer from your 2006 Mazda Tribute. Instead of using the 4-Way tester, use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993. Have someone sit in the vehicle and activate the left turn signal and brakes while you test the 4-Way at the back with the circuit tester.

If the circuit tester shows power when it is supposed to then that indicates a possible issue on the trailer. All vehicles and wiring harnesses are different so it is possible that a different vehicle could overcome whatever issue there is and the Curt harness on the Tribute cannot.

If you do not see power when you are supposed to then check the wires going into the black converter box. If there is power on the yellow wire when there should be but no power or intermittent power on the 4-Way, then there is something wrong inside the converter and it will need to be replaced.

Also make sure that the converter has a good clean ground (white wire) and that the main trailer connector ground and the grounds for all of the lights are attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

If you determine the wiring harness is bad, then I recommend # 118426 to replace it.

expert reply by: Michael H