How to Re-Wire Trailer with 4-Pole Trailer Harness
Question:
My trailer is wired with 3 wire plus an external ground which has a black,greenand white wires , trying to wire to a 4 wire plug which has green brown yellow and a white , having no luck.
asked by: Brian
Expert Reply:
A 4-pole trailer wiring harness has three circuits plus a ground, the ground being carried on the white wire. You will just need to test the functions on each trailer wire to confirm how to connect them to a 4-pole pigtail like # HM38138. A junction box # 38656 and ring terminals like # 44-5310A will make it easier to get solid reliable connections.
You will want to ground a battery negative terminal to the frame and apply 12V power from the positive terminal to each trailer circuit, one at a time, to see what lights operate. Once you know what each trailer wire does you can follow the wiring guide in the linked article to help you make the correct splices to the 4-pole.
On standard 4-pole wiring the white wire is ground, the brown wire is running lights and the green and yellow wires carry right stop/turn and left stop/turn signals, respectively.
Products Referenced in This Question
Ring Terminal - 12-10 Gauge Wire - 3/16" Ring ID
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Ring Terminals
- 3/16 Inch Diameter
- 12-10 Gauge
- Flint Hill Goods
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Hopkins Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector - Trailer End - 4' Long
- Trailer Wiring
- Trailer Connectors
- Trailer End Connector
- 0 - 5 Feet Long
- Plug and Lead
- 4 Flat
- Hopkins
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 4-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Q&A: What Gauge Wire does 4-Way Trailer Wiring Use
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Q&A: Tracker Boat Trailer Wires With 7 Wires Connecting Into A 4 Pin Plug
- Q&A: Will the TruXedo Sentry Hard Tonneau Cover Work with Utili-Tracks and Boxes on a 2021 Titan HD?
- Q&A: Does RetraxONE XR Hard Tonneau Cover Fit 2016 Nissan Titan XD With Utili Track and Titan Box
- Q&A: Wiring Diagram Recommendation for 4-Way Round Trailer Connector
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Q&A: Recommended Brake Controller for a 2022 Toyota Tacoma
- Q&A: How to Get Separate Turn Signals and Brake Lights to Work on a Trailer
- Article: Towing a Trailer? Let's Talk About Brake Controllers
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 6-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Article: Most Popular Wheel Bearings