stupid question - trailer lights

[Captain of the Double G's]

Does your truck have separate trailer light fuses (mine does)

Fords were good for that

 

[Mc Tool]

My Ford Capri rear tail lights the left and right are on different fuses , each with other stuff ....beats me how they won a war

 

[redneck joe]

My Ford Capri rear tail lights the left and right are on different fuses , each with other stuff ....beats me how they won a war

on my 96 for the dome light also worked something on the tranny so when it blew it only went in second gear.

Dome Light + Transmission = stupid

 

[redneck joe]

finally digging in, tester shows completely dead on all operations
back tracking the wires i found this. I've done some fresh wiring to trucks and a couple cars over the years but have never seen this. Says circuit protected, where is the protection located? Cover does not appear to be removeable

 

[tphoyt]

Never seen one either. Do you have power to that device just not coming out?

 

[redneck joe]

Found the fuse under the hood, tests good.

Its a curt thing, not sure why its needed.

 

[redneck joe]

About to untape some wires. I tested passenger side turn as it has a wire to it and it tests good on output so thing the controller is bad.

 

[tphoyt]

Probably just diodes to prevent shorts from feeding back to the car. If you have power going in and nothing coming out I would guess it toast

 

[redneck joe]

draws power from battery rather than 'fragile' light wiring??? How is it fragile?

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Volkswagen/Jetta+SportWagen/2014/C59236.html?VehicleID=201438637

 

[redneck joe]

all vehicle lights operable

power from vehicle lights to converter

dead after that



what sucks, besides it being $80 is that it really was rarely used inthe 6 or so years i've had it installed . My little flatbed trailer wiring was jacked so i just never hooked up (vehicle lights easily seen on 8' trailer) and the truck was 99% used to tow the boat. Truck is now sold so this is my town vehicle (14 Sportwagen deleted TDI 6 speed manual).

 

[Jeff J]

The only thing I can think of for fragile is the wiring or, depending on how it is wired, possibly the fixtures in the car may not be sufficient enough to handle the extra draw a trailer could put on it.

 

[redneck joe]

draws power from battery rather than 'fragile' light wiring??? How is it fragile?

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Volkswagen/Jetta+SportWagen/2014/C59236.html?VehicleID=201438637

well i read up on it and probably needed.

 

[redneck joe]

The only thing I can think of for fragile is the wiring or, depending on how it is wired, possibly the fixtures in the car may not be sufficient enough to handle the extra draw a trailer could put on it.

yep


good news is i can get the universal curt replacement locally for under $50.

 

[redneck joe]

well local option is a no go and i have to buy the expensive one per the internet due to my jetta having the PWm systems:



CURT 59236 is a multi-function powered converter kit that handles 2-wire, 3-wire, or PWM systems and connects directly to the vehicle battery, whereas CURT 56496 is a specific powered 3-to-2-wire taillight converter



It will be here wed afternoon.

 

[airshot]

This is why I insist my vehicles have a factory trailer tow package on them. With today's funky wiring systems, the problem is solved when the vehicle is built. Never have I had an issue with the wiring in the factory tow package.

 

[Mc Tool]

That thing could be an interface for trailer lights . If your vehicle has led lights it wont like having high drain incandescent bulbs on a trailer hooked up so they have this box that powers the trailer lights .....like a bunch of relays ....gets a power feed from battery

 

[dingbat]

draws power from battery rather than 'fragile' light wiring??? How is it fragile?

Most modern automotive lighting circuits are solid state. Designed to support and monitor LED lighting. Overloads and short circuit could easily damage the circuit.

 

[roscoe]

converts 3 light vehicles to 2 light trailer wiring ?

 

[redneck joe]

This is why I insist my vehicles have a factory trailer tow package on them.

well the 2014 sportwagen did not come with one and i bought used and i highly doubt, based on recalls i've seen over the years and issues i have with vehicles, that 'installed from the factory' equals 'problem solved'.

 

[redneck joe]

converts 3 light vehicles to 2 light trailer wiring ?

i had to look it up

Why the Difference Exists

• 
  
  • Tow Vehicle (3-Wire System): Many cars, trucks, and RVs—especially imports or vehicles with amber turn signals—have distinct circuits for the left turn signal, right turn signal, and the brakes.
  • Standard Trailer (2-Wire System): Standard flat 4-way trailer wiring combines the stop and turn functions onto a single yellow wire (left) and a single green wire (right). [1]

Why You Need a Converter

• 
  
  • If you plug a 3-wire vehicle directly into a 2-wire trailer without a converter, your turn signals and brake lights will not function correctly.
  • Stepping on the brake might override your flashing turn signal, or turning on your blinker might cause your brake lights to flash.
  • A 3-to-2 Wire Taillight Converter safely merges the separate brake and turn signals from your vehicle into the combined circuits required by the trailer. [1]