4Runner/Trailer wiring issue

[jamesewells]

I have a 2003 V8 with the factory 7 pin trailer plug. My trailer has the 7 pin plug as well. I installed separate, amber turn signals on my trailer. I purchased the Draw-Tite #118158 to convert the L and R stop/turn wires coming from the 4Runner to LTurn, RTurn and Stop, so I could wire the amber turns on the trailer separately. The trailer brake lights work fine and when I use the left or right turn signals, the amber turns on the trailer work fine. (Amber only flashes on 4Runner and trailer) However, when I turn on the 4 way flashers, both ambers flash on the 4Runner(as they should), but on the trailer the ambers flash dim for a split second and the brake lights flash full on. This alternating flashing continues. It would seem if the work individually with the turn signals, they should work with the 4ways. I'm stumped. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jsmarine]

I have a 2003 V8 with the factory 7 pin trailer plug. My trailer has the 7 pin plug as well. I installed separate, amber turn signals on my trailer. I purchased the Draw-Tite #118158 to convert the L and R stop/turn wires coming from the 4Runner to LTurn, RTurn and Stop, so I could wire the amber turns on the trailer separately. The trailer brake lights work fine and when I use the left or right turn signals, the amber turns on the trailer work fine. (Amber only flashes on 4Runner and trailer) However, when I turn on the 4 way flashers, both ambers flash on the 4Runner(as they should), but on the trailer the ambers flash dim for a split second and the brake lights flash full on. This alternating flashing continues. It would seem if the work individually with the turn signals, they should work with the 4ways. I'm stumped. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

The 4 way flashers must be wired differently than the turns on your 4runner, must be wired to the brakes or tails somehow.

Any reason why you want amber lights on the trailer? No trailer is every wired that way from the factory, they all use a dual filament bulb in the taillights to operate stop/tail and turn, and my guess is if you ever tow another trailer (a friends or uhaul, etc) you will have trouble since you changed the wiring on your 4runner.

 

[jamesewells]

I didn't rewire the 4Runner, I installed the convertor box in the trailer. The strange thing is that there's a dim, milisecond blink on the amber turns before the brake lights blink (at full on), and this only occurs with the flashers. This pattern alternates between the "dim blink" and the brake lights with the 4 way only. BTW, on the 4Runner, the turns blink with the 4way, the turns just don't blink on the trailer. Everything else works fine. Thanks for the reply!

 

[scottm]

This box has to employ some logic to figure out which bulb to light, there's probably some delay. Take it back, maybe try another brand.

 

[ALLEGRO]

I would just re-do the trailer lights and go with the interface (plug) from a 7 wire to a 4 wire. You can even get those a WalMart.

 

[gm350reratliff]

This box has to employ some logic to figure out which bulb to light, there's probably some delay. Take it back, maybe try another brand.

I agree with scottm on this one.

I've never been real impressed with those converter boxes. Not to rain on your parade but I would just run the regular stop/turn signal setup on the trailer. That way I could be more sure that they are working as I am driving down the road.

However, if you are dead-set on having the trailer this way I would recommend not using that converter. Tap into the 4runner's seperate turn and brake signals. Use a relay for each circuit. You will have to run a power wire from the battery to power the relays (or, depending on the power needs of your trailer, use the existing 12v charge line in the 7-way plug to power the relays-either way make sure the power wire(s) is fused). You will also have to either re-wire the 7-way plugs, go to different plugs altogether, or use additional plugs (leaving the 7-way intact for different trailers).

 

[jamesewells]

What kind of relays? I could mount them in the trailer and use the backup line on the 7 way for stop, route the L/T turns to the current L/R Stop/Turn...You may be right, sounds like a pain. Or, I could use the existing setup w/the converter. It woks fine until you turn on the 4Ways, and the tails still flash, just not the amber ones...

 

[scottm]

You could have some electronics person build you a relay logic box. Before computers, that was how a lot of devices worked. Modern computers are really a ton of very small and fast relays.

If both left and right brake/turn lights are commanded on from the 4R wiring, that would send power to both the power and switch circuits of a relay, sending power to both trailer brake lights. That's an "and" circuit. You can also wire them for "or", and "not". If only one brake/turn light is commanded on, logic would have the corresponding amber light come on. It would be fairly simple and rugged. Probably not real expensive, but not cheap, kind of a fun project for an electronics geek.

But I'd just rewire the trailer myself.

 

[gm350reratliff]

What kind of relays? I could mount them in the trailer and use the backup line on the 7 way for stop, route the L/T turns to the current L/R Stop/Turn...You may be right, sounds like a pain. Or, I could use the existing setup w/the converter. It woks fine until you turn on the 4Ways, and the tails still flash, just not the amber ones...

Relay - with mounting bracket

Use three of these relays. Tap into each lighting circuit you want to use. Check with a volt meter before you tap into any circuit. One relay for LT, one for RT, and one for brake lights only. Run power to each of these. I would recommend hiding them in the 4runner (somewhere dry is your best bet). Rewire your 7-way (you may have to purchase a new 7-way in order to wire it yourself) like you said in the above post. That should get you where you want to be. The lights on the trailer should now mimmick the lights on the 4runner.

The reason your 2 to 3 wire converter box isn't working is because it is built like scottm said. It consists of "and", "or" and "not" switches. When your 4-ways are on (flashing), there is power going to both RT and LT circuits in the 7-way. The converter box sees this as: RT "and" LT have power therefore it lights the brake lights just as if someone were to be stepping on and off the brake pedal.

 

[jamesewells]

That makes total sense. Thanks for the explanation!