How To Install The Hopkins Simple Plug In Wiring Harness On 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee  

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To Install the Hopkins Plug-In Simple Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector Item # HM42525 on your 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, start by opening your hatch and remove all the floor coverings. Pull up on the threshold, remove and set aside. Remove the interior panel on the passenger side by removing anything holding it in place. Should just be clips behind the panel. Simply work your way along the outer edge and pull towards the center of the vehicle. Once removed look for the noise dampening pocket and remove it as well.

Look for the wires connected to the back of the taillight or just down from the taillight with a grey plug and disconnect. Follow that bundle until you see a 4 pin plug taped to it. Remove the tape to expose the plug. Once removed, match the two large grey plugs on the harness to the taillight plug and factory plug. Connect the remaining black plug to the plug separated from the wire bundle. Test and re-install the panels on the vehicle. The 4 pole plug will remain inside the vehicle until it is needed. Run wire over rubber seal at threshold and close gate. Make sure wire is not pinched in connection point between door and vehicle.

If your Jeep is not equipped with a factory tow package the black 4 pin plug will not be there and you would need to use the Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector Item # HM42515. To install this harness you would simply repeat the process of removing the interior panels except you would remove the drivers side access panel door and remove the spare tire. Remove the plugs from the back of both taillights and match the grey plugs on the harness to the plugs on the tail light and factory wiring. The plug with the yellow wire will be the drivers side and the plug with the green wire is routed over and connected to the passenger side.

The red wire needs to be routed to the battery. To route the red wire, look for a grommet somewhere inside the back of the vehicle, make a small slice and feed the wire to the underside of the vehicle. Look for factory wiring that runs up to the front of the vehicle. When routing the red wire make sure you stay away from anything hot or moving. The wire can be zipped tied to the factory wiring when routing. Once you get to the firewall at the front of the vehicle, use something to get the wire up from the underside. Sometime just a string with a nut tied to it provides enough weight to drop the nut down so you can tied the wire onto it. Once the wire is up into the engine compartment, route to battery, cut to size, add the fuse holder, remove the fuse from holder if installed, connect to positive post on battery, re-install fuse and test. If everything test good you are ready to go.

expert reply by: Shane H

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