Installing the Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay # RM-88400 on a 2013 Honda CR-V
Question:
Hi, I am going to be towing a 2013 Honda CRV. I have bought a TrailerMate Custom Towed Vehicle Wiring Kit to provide for towed vehicle lighting. I will also be using a Blue Ox Patriot Braking system. From what I can tell by reading online, I will also need to install an RM-88400 Brake Light Relay also on order. From the generic instructions I can see on line for the standard normally open installation I cannot tell where in the vehicle I need to install this kit and specifically how to tap it in to my CRV. Do you have some more specific instructions and pictures describing how to do this for my vehicle? Thanks
asked by: John B
Expert Reply:
Yes, we have a video showing the installation of the Brake-Lite Relay, # RM-88400, on a Honda CR-V. Check out the video that I attached.
Since your CR-V has separate tail light wiring and you are using the TrailerMate wiring harness, there is one more check you will want to do to determine if you need the brake light relay. With the vehicle turned off, step on the brakes. If your brake lights come on with the vehicle off, then you will need the Brake-Lite Relay.
The Brake-Lite Relay is typically installed under the driver's side dash where you can find room near the brake light switch. The brake light switch is typically found directly above the brake pedal. You should see a plastic connector or port with several wires.
The Brake-Lite Relay will connect to the wire that only has power when the brake pedal is pressed. Honda typically uses a blue wire for this on the CR-V, but I strongly recommend using a circuit tester like part # PTW2993 to test the wire before you make any connections. Once you find the brake switch wire, cut the wire a few inches away from the brake switch. Connect the wire coming from the brake switch to the green wire from the relay. After that, connect the other end of the brake switch wire to the black wire from the brake light relay. Roadmaster (the manufacturer of the Brake-Lite Relay) recommends removing the brake light fuse before cutting the brake switch wire. This fuse can be located by using the legend in your owner's manual.
Locating the brake switch wire is typically the most difficult part of the installation. Once you find that wire, the rest of the installation can be covered by using the diagram I have attached. Since you will be using the Blue Ox Patriot braking system, # BRK2012, you will not have to tie the green wire into the ICX terminal mentioned in the diagram and installation instructions. The Patriot does not use the ICX terminal.
The red wire should tap into any fuse that is powered only when the ignition is on. There should be plenty of fuse options in the interior fuse panel in your CR-V. The interior fuse panel is located under the driver side dash to the left of the brake pedal. Fuses that are powered only when the ignition is on would be fuses for the radio, power windows, moon roof, etc. Your owner's manual should list the locations of each of these fuses. Roadmaster also states that the 10-amp fuse that comes with the Brake-Lite Relay must fuse must be on the red wire within 6 inches of the fuse tap to prevent a possible short circuit situation.
The ground wire can be grounded to any clean, bare metal surface using the included self-tapping screw.
Products Referenced in This Question
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Flat Tow Brake System
- Brake Light Relay
- Roadmaster
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