Brake and Turn Signals Not Functioning when Taillights are Activated on a 2003 Nissan Frontier

Question

Question:

Note, my trailer lights work correctly with my Honda Element, but not with my 03 Nissan Frontier pickup. I tried both #118362 and #33515 wiring harnesses and connected ground wiring. This is a simple installation, but it does not work correctly with the tail lights on it only works correctly with the tail lights off. Please advise.

asked by: Les L

0

Expert Reply:

The situation you are describing sounds like a classic ground issue. When the tail lights are on the amperage draw is the greatest and if the grounding point chosen is not sufficient the lighting will not function properly.

Since you have tried two harnesses from different manufacturers and have tried different grounding locations, I would try running the ground wire from the Tow Ready wiring harness, # 118362, to the negative post of the vehicle battery. If this solves the issue, you can try grounding the wire under the vehicle at different, non-isolated, locations, such as the vehicle frame. If you cannot find a sufficient ground location, you may need to permanently ground the wiring harness to the negative battery post.

If this does not solve the issue, test the wires going into the converter box on the wiring harness with the tail lights on. The yellow wire carries the left turn signal, the green wire carries the right turn signal, the brown wire carries the taillight signal and the red wire carries the brake light signal. Now, check the wires coming out of the converter box. The yellow wire carries the left turn and brake signal, the green wire carries the right turn and brake signal and the brown wire carries the taillight signal.

If the wiring going into the converter box is not correct, check the connectors that plug inline for bent pins. If the pins in the connector are bent, either on the vehicle or the trailer wiring harness, they can normally be straightened.

Let me know what you find. If these steps do not solve the issue we will see what we can come up with.

expert reply by: Robert G

0

Answer 1

It sounds like the converter on your Hopkins wiring harness, #33515, is not working correctly. The first step I would take is to use a circuit tester, like part #PTW2993, to check the trailer plug on the wiring harness for proper function without a…

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Answer 2

For your 2003 Nissan Frontier, I recommend the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector #118362. This has a built in tail light converter because most trailers run on a two-wire system and your Nissan has a 3 wire…

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Answer 3

The part number 43515 is our part #33515. We have quite a few reviews on this wiring harness where our customers have said that it worked well for them. I am sure we have a similar harness by a different manufacturer that you could try. But without…

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Answer 4

You can test to see if the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness, #118362, is bad. First, with no trailer connected, use a circuit tester like #PTW2993 to test the pins on the 4-Way. If they do not work when you run through the lighting functions, then there…

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Answer 5

Thank you for the photo of your connector on your 2003 Frontier. It does indeed appear from your photo that the connectors on the Curt harness are not the same as yours. I also linked a photo of the Curt connectors. The similar Tekonsha harness…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 8

From what I could find it looks like your 122R (red) and 122Y (amber) lights measure 3.75" x 1.70" x .81". We don't have any replacement lense directly for the GLO-BRITE lights but we do have some similar lights that you could use…

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Answer 9

I did some checking and the hub/drum we offer that will work for you is the part #8-430-5UC3. This uses the same bearings as the 8-415 and will be an exact fit aside from the fact this is a non-ABS setup and the 8-415 came in an ABS setup and non-ABS…

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Answer 10

I would be happy to help you set up your 2022 Toyota Highlander to haul your new travel trailer. The wiring harness you currently have controls your trailer's lighting functions only. You do not need to rewire your Toyota you just need another…

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Answer 11

If you are needing the hub and drum assembly then you will want to go with the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly #8-201-5UC3-EZ but if you are just looking for an idler hub then you will want part #8-213-5UC1 instead. These come with the correct…

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Answer 12

Since you have a wheelbase/axle spacing of 38 inches the correct hanger kit for slipper springs would be the part #HAP-105-205-01. And then for a 7k trailer axle the u-bolt kit you'd want would be the part #APUBR-8. I attached the diagram to use…

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Brake and Turn Signals Not Functioning when Taillights are Activated on a 2003 Nissan Frontier

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