Replacing Tekonsha 4-Way Flat Vehicle Wiring Harness That Failed

Question:

I purchased part # 118413 and installed it in 2018. It was tested and worked fine on a small boat trailer. It was actually never used after that. Without any trailer attached last month an after market remote car starter and door locks failed to flash the running lights when activated. Coincidently during a normal oil change a smell of burning plastic developed which was found to be a melting controller for the 118413. It was quite a bad smell difficult to clear ones head of. I suppose the controller failure was a failed electronic component hot enough to heat the plastic but not blow the fuse. I don’t know if you have encountered this situation before but it prompts me to ask this question. I will be ordering a replacement 118413. Can I splice inline fuses in the hot leads of the taps on the 118413 for brake, running and signal lights? Since the trailer used LED lights the fuse values would be quite.

asked by: Timothy R

Expert Reply:

I have not heard of anyone having that issue with the Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118413.

Any alteration to the wiring harness is not recommended and would void the manufacturers warranty.

I recommend using the Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness # 33425 as this will allow you to use a fuse on the main power wire that transfers power to the module. This harness will not draw on the vehicle wiring like the Tekonsha kit.

expert reply by: Bud M