Troubleshooting Trailer Wiring on 2015 Honda Pilot
Question:
Hi There! I’m doing some pretty basic troubleshooting with my Honda Pilot 2015 I’ve had the 7 pin tekonsha t-one wiring installed since I’ve owned the vehicle, it’s worked great on many a camping trip towing a few different campers, until 2018 Fast forward to this summer, where I had some difficulty with it. The first camping trip of the year, I hooked up like I always had, but had no lights on the camper. I used a multimeter to troubleshoot, but had no voltage on anything. Using the vehicles 7 pin ground for reference. I changed the pink fuse under the hood even though it appeared to have nothing wrong. Continuity across it initially I had the same problem with the new fuse. I went into the house to get a flashlight to start backtracking down the 7 pin to see if I could find anything odd, but when I came out of the house everything was working as it should. We continued camping for the rest of the year without issue, When it came time to store the camper for the winter, same exact thing. No lights, no power, no nothing. I re-checked the fuse, replaced it, but no change, tried the fuse that had worked all summer, no good. Tried the original fuse again, still nothing. I ended up getting a friend to tow the camper to store it, but traveled behind in the Honda. Once we had it to the parking lot where it was to be stored, the trailer was un-hitched and disconnected. I then plugged the trailer back in to the Honda, only to have everything work as it should. I’m quite confused, and not really sure where to start, so I purchased a 7 pin trailer tester to troubleshoot so I don’t run into the same problem when I go to pick it up. Apart from the main power fuse and ground, I don’t really know what’s common to everything. Where the fuses show no problem, and ground buried in the harness. I’m at a loss where to start. Any help is greatly appreciated.
asked by: Devan R
Expert Reply:
It sounds like the issue is with a ground connection, a terminal connection, or one of the relays. I recommend starting with the relays and the best way to determine if one is bad is to replace it with one you know works. Once you have determined the relays are good, then I recommend checking the plug connections on your harness. Each connection should be clean of corrosion and debris and have dielectric grease like # 11755 to keep moisture and debris out.
Then if you are still lacking continuity on the vehicle side plug, I recommend using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to check the wiring connections. If you get continuity on each function when using a frame ground, then you know your ground connection on your harness is bad. Since the ground connection is buried in the harness, I recommend splicing into that ground near the 7-way and creating another frame connection that is bare metal to metal using a couple ring terminals like # DW05705-1 and a self tapping screw like # FA1131822. If this doesn't solve the issue, then I recommend replacing your trailer wiring with the a new model of the same T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118265.
If the plug on your vehicle checks out, then make sure the main ground connection on the trailer is bare metal to metal and free of corrosion and debris. Also check the ground connections at your tail lights which can often be grounded through the mounting hardware.
Products Referenced in This Question
Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring
- Dielectric Grease
- LubriMatic
more information >
Ring Terminal - 12-10 Gauge Wire - 3/8" Ring ID
- Wiring
- Wire Connectors
- Ring Terminals
- 3/8 Inch Diameter
- 12-10 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Self-Tapping Screw - 1/4" -14 x 3/4" Long - Zinc
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring
- Ground Screw
- Flint Hill Goods
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 7 Round - Blade
- Tekonsha
more information >
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