Troubleshooting Smoke and Melting Trailer Wiring on a 2002 Jeep Liberty After 4-Way Install
Question:
Looking to Purchase Trailer Wiring Harness for my Jeep Liberty- Question is-When I purchased my Jeep Used, There was one already on there But Not Plugged into Lights in Rear- When I plugged it In It started Smoking on my drivers side Taillight, And Then It started blowing fuses-Question is The one that was on there Didnt have the Wire going too the Battery-nothing at all -is that the reason why It did what it did-Is it necessary to Have the ONE with the extra wire coming out of Converter-to go to The battery for Power?? Please Let me know Thanks
asked by: Alan
Expert Reply:
Most likely the problem you described is from a short on the trailer wiring. Running a powered converter is a great idea as it protects the taillight circuits of the vehicle it is installed on. But if you are seeing smoke, melted wire, and fuses blowing immediately the problem is a short somewhere on the wiring that is WAY overdrawing the circuits.
If the smoke started after plugging the harness into your trailer then the problem is the trailer wiring, if the smoke started after plugging the harness into your vehicle then the problem is the harness itself. Either way you will need to inspect the wiring looking for any cut or exposed wire touching bare metal and fix as necessary.
I attached an FAQ on 4-way installs for you to check out as well.
For a replacement harness I would go with the # 118524 that you referenced since it is circuit protected.
Products Referenced in This Question
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- Tekonsha
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Trailer Ground Wire Gets Hot and Smokes when Connected to Dodge Truck
- Shop: Kenda 205/65-10 Bias Trailer Tire with 10" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range E
- Shop: Loadstar K399 Bias Trailer Tire - 205/65-10 - Load Range E
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Bargman 7-Way, RV-Style Connector w/ 8' Heavy Duty Insulated Cable - Trailer End
- Shop: Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Shop: T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Video: Hopkins Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring - Trailer Hitch Wiring - 42475 Review
- Q&A: Is A Separate Power Wire Needed When Installing Hopkins Wiring Harness # 42475 On 2003 Jeep Liberty
- Q&A: 3 Trailer Wiring Harnesses Converters have Blown and Blew Fuses on a 2007 Jeep Liberty Limited
- Q&A: Short Circuit in Trailer Connector Melted Wiring and Causes Trailer Brakes to Lock Up
- Shop: RV Power Cord
- Shop: RV Electrical
- Search Results: wire connectors
- Search Results: hitch plug
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Horse Trailer Lights That All Suddenly Stopped Working
- Q&A: No Running Lights on Horse Trailer
- Q&A: Trailer Running Lights Do Not Work but Brake Lights and Turn Signals Do Work
- Shop: Hopkins 7-Way RV Style Connector w/ Molded Cable and LED Test Lights - Trailer End - 8' Long
- Shop: 7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector, 6' Long
- Search Results: wire
- Search Results: 30 amp inlet
- Search Results: 10 2 duplex wire
- Search Results: wiring
- Search Results: hubcaps
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Video: Choosing the Right Brake Controller
on Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
