Is A Converter Required For A Vehicle Wiring Harness On A 2009 Acura TL?

Question:

I have a 2009 TL. I recently had a trailer hitch and 4 pin connector installed. The technician tapped directly into the vehicle wiring and said a convertor was not necessary. Everything seems to be functioning properly. Is this converter required?

asked by: Cody N

Expert Reply:

On your 2009 Acura TL a converter is indeed required so it appears the Technician was not truthful.

A converter is required when vehicles have separate wiring meaning the brake light and turn signals are sent along different wires.

Since trailers use combined wiring in which the brake light and turn signal are the same wire a converter is needed.

For your vehicle I recommend the Hopkins # 46255 which plugs into the existing connectors on your vehicle and uses its own power wire that gets run from the converter to the positive terminal of your battery with the included fuse to protect your factory wiring from any power draw issues.

I recommend taking your vehicle back to the technician and having him replace whichever non-converter harness with the correct harness mentioned above as without it your trailer will not have functional brake or turn signals depending on which wire he left unconnected.

I included a link to the written instructions of the # 46255 for you to take a look at.