Trailer Light Connections

[k4tmc]

Can I connect trailer lights directly to the wires inside the VX tail-lights without concern about affecting some computer function within the VX somewhere?

Some previous vehicles I have owned required trailer light special adapters that protected any potential impact on other vehicle computer-controlled features. At least, that is what the trailer hitch sales person said.

Henry

[mdwyer]

I don't know if it is strictly required, but Tone sells a trailer wire kit at http://www.tonemonday.com/vxparts.html for $24. It appears to involve a mystery black box.

[etlsport]

that sounds like a sales pitch for the adapter to me... i dont have a whole lot of experience with trailer wiring.. but ive wired just about everything else you can think of in a car and well.. brake lights and turn signals are just wires and switches.. no computer interaction that i know of.. the wiring tone offers is just connected in the tail lights and ive had no ill effects from it (of course i also havent hooked it up to a trailer yet) but ill go out on a limb here and say his trailer wiring.. like all of his other products.. works well

[Bulldoggie]

The "Black Box" converts a three bulb tail / brake / turn light to a double lamp trailer light (trailer lamps turn filament is the same as the brake)

[k4tmc]

Thanks for the responses.

Looks like I need to provide more details. The previous owner had already installed Tone's hitch and wiring adapter. However, there is something wrong - not enough voltage arriving at the trailer connector. I have confirmed that the correct wires have the right signals, but there is only around 7-9 volts, which is not enough to get the trailer lights on.

To avoid disassembling the rear bumper clading, to get to all of the wiring, I was just going to go back inside the rear light housings and make some new connections and bring the wires inside the rear storage area. Then, when needed, I could let them hang out through the door gasket. Not pretty - but functional.

Henry

[Ldub]

I'm pretty far from being any kind of expert when it comes to wiring...or anything else for that matter...but it sounds like your current "black box" may be malfunctioning.
If you do as you say, & snip the wires to the existing trailer wiring harness & install a new one, this theory could be proven, one way or the other.

Also, it could be as simple as corroded connections on the one that's there. Maybe a poor ground connection?

[circmand]

I am new here but have owned a 2001 Proton from new. I always wanted the ability to use a trailer but the Owners Manual says the VX is not designed for Trailer use. Am I missing something. Any photos or spec on what people are hauling and weight limits? Where is Tone located and where is St Charles Isuzu they sound like good resources.

[tom4bren]

I'd agree with what's already been said: check the original connections, if they were just pigtailed & taped then you could lose significant voltage across the corrosion - or the black box could be bad (I've experienced both). When you install a new one, remove the old because it could still drag down the voltage if it's bad.

Always, always solder your connections. It's a pain but worth the effort just for the reason you are experiencing now.

I tow a twin pack of SeaDoos with mine and it does great (but then I also tow the SeaDoos with an Eclipse and it does fine so maybe my set up isn't worth mentioning). I'll be towing a utility trailer with a Dingo in it tomorrow. If I run into any problems I'll post.

A lot will depend on what you are towing, not just the gross weight. Trailer length, width & load distrobution will all play important rolls in how it handles.

[Ldub]

I am new here but have owned a 2001 Proton from new. I always wanted the ability to use a trailer but the Owners Manual says the VX is not designed for Trailer use. Am I missing something. Any photos or spec on what people are hauling and weight limits? Where is Tone located and where is St Charles Isuzu they sound like good resources.

Need stock parts cheap with FREE freight?
1-800-727-8066 St. Charles Isuzu - ask for Merlin!

Need mods / accessories? tonemonday.com

St.Charles IL., I think...

Tone is in Austin, TX

[tom4bren]

Didn't tow the utility trailer with the Dingo - they messed up on my reservation. Reserved it for a couple of weeks out so I'll let you know.

[Solitude]

I had a hitch installed and the wiring done at U-haul. now.. the cruise shuts off if I use my turn signal and when its raining the left turn signal stays on.. so much for the mythical black box

[etlsport]

yea spike had his done at u-haul too.. and we have had a crazy time figuring out whats going on with his lights... when he uses his 4 ways the 3rd brake light flashes... and when his brake lights are on his turn signals work like normal, but when the brake lights are off the tail lights flash with the turn signals and the turn signal conversion for the side markers doesn't work at all

[Tone]

Our system (like many newer vehicles) is a five wire system since we have separate tail and brake lights instead of simply making one bulb brighter for
brakes. You can tag the wires outside right behind the tailights. Or, inside the jack compartment on the driver's side and the jack compartlment on the passenger side.
RT Turn Signal Wire Color (only avail on the Passenger Side): Green/Blue
LF Turn Signal Wire Color (only avail on Driver's Side): Green/Blue
Parking/Running Light Wire Color: Green/Red
Brake Light Wire Color: Green

I usually mount the converter on the driver's side and run the long green wire on the converter over to the passenger side light harness. Be sure to firmly ground the White wire on the converter - I include a self tapping screw and star washer - scrape the paint off of the body where you attach it or secure it under an existing stud or bolt that has been scraped.

[etlsport]

figured this was a pretty good place for this question/problem

i got a tester for the trailer wiring lights... hooked it up on my vx's trailer wiring to see how it worked... tail light was fine.. couldnt test brakes because i was alone... turn signals worked ok, but when i turned my headlights on, the turn signals didnt work anymore... is that normal?

[JAMAS]

I searched and found some help in this thread, so I am reviving it for another question....


I have my hitch installed (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK Tom4Bren!!!!) but havent installed a light hookup yet.

Can someone tell me if this will work....
http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-48925-...8&sr=8-1-fkmr1