Installation of Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness # C56026 on 2008 Saturn Vue

Question:

I bought a hitch and the C56026 about 2 months ago- for my 2008 Saturn Vue. I installed the hitch, and wiring harness problem is, I still have no working lights, signals, etc., on the trailer. I verified that my trailer lights actually work using another vehicle. When I tested the connection, the tester flashed when I used the turn signals. Im stumped- HOWEVER- the one thing I didnt do was to run the black wire from the harness to the car battery Ive never done this before with other harnesses... Could this be the problem? I mean, the harness is obviously getting power from the cars tail light connections, and the car lights/signals function normally whether I have the trailer connected, or not. What do you think?

asked by: Fred

Expert Reply:

The Curt T-Conenctor Vehicle Wiring Harness, part # C56026, for your 2008 Saturn Vue has a circuit protected powered tail light converter (Modulite). This converter powers the trailer lights from a separate wire, with an inline fuse, that is ran to your vehicles battery. If you do not connect that separate wire to the battery you will not be able to get working lights on your trailer.

This harness uses the vehicle wiring as the switch to activate the trailer lights, only requiring about 3 milliamps of power from the vehicle circuitry.

Some vehicles have wiring harnesses that can handle the power draw for trailer lights and do not require a separate wire ran to the battery. Some of the newer vehicles have very sensitive wiring that need to be protected from any extra current being put on the vehicles circuitry.

I am including a link to the installation instructions on the Tow Ready wiring harness.

expert reply by: Jeff D