Trailer Brake Lights Not Working when Towing with a 1992 Toyota Camry

Question:

Im wiring a 92 Toyota Camry for a small boat trailer with only 2 tail lights and 2 side marker lights. Im trying to do this with the least cost and my car does have amber turn signals. I wasnt aware of the converter box that is necessary and I wired a standard 4 plug flat and am missing brake lights on the trailer. Everything else works fine. Will the # HM48925 Taillight Converter with 4 pole end solve the problem??

asked by: George

Expert Reply:

You are on the right track with the converter. The reason your brake lights on your trailer aren't currently working is that the brake light and the turn signal are two separate circuits on your vehicle. On your trailer, these two functions share the same circuit, so a taillight converter is needed to combine the brake and the turn signals on to the same circuit. The wiring harness you mention, the Converter with 4 pole end, part # HM48925 might work for you, but the manufacturer recommeds using a powered converter, such as the # C59496. This converter differs from the one you mention in that it draws its 12V directly from the battery, instead of through the vehicle's lighting circuits, which may not be able to handle the job.

expert reply by: Mike L