Trailer Brake/Turn Signal Lights Not Working with Wiring Harness 118653 on a 2011 Nissan Murano

Question:

Just installed the 118481 wiring kit in the murano. Trailer also has new led light kit. Turned the vehicle on and have trailer tail lights when the vehicle lights are on. No brake lights, no signal lights.

asked by: L. O

Expert Reply:

It sounds like there is a bad ground connection somewhere. The first thing to check would be the converter for the wiring harness # 118653. Make sure that it is grounded to a clean metal surface. Use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 if needed to test the wires going into the converter for the proper signals. If they are not correct then there is a problem with the connections to the vehicle such as a bent pin, or a problem with the vehicle wiring.

If the signals are correct going into the converter, test the wires coming out of the converter. If they are wrong then there is a problem inside the converter and it will need to be replaced. If the signals are correct, that indicates a problem on the trailer.

On the trailer, make sure the 4-Way connector is corrosion free and clean. Then check the main ground from the connector and the grounds for the trailer lights. They should all be connected to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

This harness is rated for 2.1 amps maximum per side for stop/turn signals and 5.6 amps total for running lights. If the lights on the trailer exceed this it could blow the in line fuse or the converter.

expert reply by: Michael H

Dave

12/3/2012

How do you know how much your trailer lights draw?i have an led boat trailer and need this to work.thanksDave

Patrick B.

12/3/2012

You can use a multimeter to check each light, but in your case, it probably is not necessary. These harnesses are built for a typical, incandescent light equipped trailer. Your LED lights use a fraction of the current that an incandescent would. If you had too much current draw, it would be blowing fuses. Check the 4-Pole on the vehicle first with a circuit tester and make sure you are getting the proper signals at the connector. If you are, start checking the wiring on the trailer looking for loose or corroded grounds or frayed wiring.