Installation of 6-Way Connector to Trailer Showing Only 5 Wires

Question:

Trying to install a new 6 pin connector on a trailer BUT it doesnt have a white/ black wire designated by every diagram for ground. It has red, green, yellow, blue and brown. Trailer lights will come on with brown, blue, yellow and green connected, got turn signals to work but when the running lights are on the brake lights wont work, it turns the entire lighting system on the trailer off

asked by: Jose

Helpful Expert Reply:

If this trailer had a 6-way connector on it before it seems to be missing one of the wires. You mention only 5 wire colors.

With only 5 wires on your trailer you will want to test the functions to determine what each wire does and what is the missing wire. The colors and functions don't always match up the same as described

Typically, the wire colors on a 6-way trailer connector are:
Brown--tail/running lights
Green--right turn and brake
Yellow--left turn and brake
White--ground
Red or Black--battery 12V
Blue--brake controller output

To confirm this on your trailer you can trace the wires back to see where they terminate or take a separate 12 volt battery and use it to power each wire to see what lights up. Sounds like you might be missing the white ground wire.

To wire up the 6-Way # PK11604 with the 6 wires, if looking at the back of the 6-Way connector where the wires attach, it would be:
running lights (brown) will be in the 12 o'clock position
ground (white) will be in the 2 o'clock position
left turn and brake (yellow) will be in the 5 o'clock position
right turn and brake (green) will be in the 7 o'clock position
12V power (red/black) will be in the center position
brake controller output (blue) will be in the 10o'clock position (if needed)

I have included a picture of a 6-way trailer side connector to help you.