Tips on Installing Curt Wiring C59496 on a 2008 Nissan Frontier

Question:

Got the kit extremely fast so thanks. My issue at this point is that I previously had an aftermarket harness in my 08 Frontier which ran the signals and brake lights. Fine, I used that harness to bridge the turn signals instead of jacking in to all three connections above the terminal and then trying various brown-wire connections for the running lights. However, I now have nothing at all, no running lights or signal/brakes. I voltage tested the signals and have power coming direct from my battery and have power to the flashers but the trailer lights have nothing. I tried grounding both the white, white/red but still nothing. The discrepancy between my vehicle and your tutorial is that the xterra has a purple wire at the module, my Frontier has a purple wire at the license plate hookup, NOT module which has completely different color codes. Can you provide instructions that are more specific to my vehicle so my novice self can install this with taking it to a shop? Thanks.

asked by: James

Expert Reply:

Because the Wiring Harness, # C59496, is designed to fit many different vehicles, vehicle specific instructions for the 2008 Nissan Frontier are not available. However, I can offer some guidance that should get you going in no time.

First, your Frontier has a 3 wire system, so you will need to follow the appropriate section in the instructions, linked here for reference. The instructions state that on a 3 wire system, use the included circuit tester to determine which wire attached to the left taillight assembly is the left turn wire. Then you will attach the units yellow wire to this wire using wire taps.

On the same tail light assembly, determine which wire is the tail light circuit and attach the brown wire to it with a wire tap. For the last wire on the driver side tail light assembly, determine which wire is
the stop light circuit and attach the red stop wire to it with a wire tap.

I recommend a fresh install and not using any of the existing wiring that was used previously by a different harness. The reason is they could have functioned differently and required different installation methods that may not be compatible.

It is also important that when installing a powered converter such as this one that you follow the installation details to the letter. I am confident that you will be able to successfully complete this installation and that taking it to a shop will not be necessary.

expert reply by: Michael H