How To Clean the Inside of a Trailer Connector Causing Lighting and or Braking Issues

Question

Question:

Hi, you folks mention in some of your CS responses to clean the harness plug insides. What product would I use?

asked by: Ed M

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The inside of a trailers connector can be cleaned by spraying an electrical contact cleaner on the blades and then using a brush to remove any corrosion or debris. Once done, you'll want to apply some dielectric grease part # 11755 to prevent any future issues from occurring but that's it.

expert reply by: Conner L

1

Answer 1

It sounds like there is a short circuit that is overloading the running light circuit in the tow package wiring on your tow vehicle. The most likely culprit is a dirty or corroded trailer connector on the vehicle or trailer if not both. The first…

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Answer 2

In some cases trailer lighting will ground through the hitch ball but that's typically only if the actual ground circuit is insufficient. This is not an ideal setup. It needs to ground through the wiring of the trailer harness. You can test…

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Answer 3

The pins inside a trailer connector should always be coated with dielectric grease, the Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors part #11755. There are certain environments where this is a bigger issue than others due to nearby saltwater etc. but…

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Answer 4

Typically when a fuse keeps blowing that means there is a short somewhere on your wiring circuits. You can isolate the issues to your tow vehicle or trailer by simply disconnecting the trailer before replacing your fuses. Once you know which end the…

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Answer 5

When installing the Tekonsha kit part #118248 that you referenced on your 2016 Toyota Highlander you need to use the included 10 amp fuse. This will provide the connector with enough circuit protection so that if there is a short you wouldn't…

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Answer 6

The Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector #118605 having the included fuse blow shows either a short in your wiring connections with additional power coming from something or a bad controller. Most of the time a…

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Answer 7

I agree that it does sound like there is a short inside the converter box. You can also check for any of its wires touching bare metal but based on the description of the problem and what you have already checked it does sound like it is internal. If…

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Answer 8

Aluminum trailer frames or bodies can cause grounding issues so I suggest using a separate ground wire that runs from the rear of the trailer up to the main ground post in the junction box like #38656. You can join the ground wires for the individual…

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Answer 9

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 10

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 11

Yes, we do. To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C26VV. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has a…

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Answer 12

To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota RAV4, I recommend the etrailer item #e23ZR. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has a 4,000 lbs towing capacity, and a 600…

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How To Clean the Inside of a Trailer Connector Causing Lighting and or Braking Issues

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