Question:
when I plug in my trailer plug to connector it doesnt light up connected but all lights work when try to drive brakes are locked took it to trailer place they say theres hot wire in connector that s hot wire is messed up I have 400 miles on mdx 2016 this is a dealer installed option I you ever heard of this?
asked by: Tom L
Expert Reply:
If electric trailer brakes lock up as soon as the trailer is connected to the tow vehicle that is an indication that something is pinned out wrong or there is a short somewhere.
We usually see this problem when someone is using a 7-Way to 6-Way adapter such as # 47549. There are 2 ways that a 6-Way can be wired. The center pin will be either 12 volt power or electric brakes. If the trailer side connector is wired opposite of how the adapter is wired then the brakes will receive 12 volts of power all the time. An adapter such as # HM47570 will allow you to switch between the 2 different ways a 6-Way is wired to solve this issue.
If the trailer is connected directly to the vehicle and no adapter is being used then it is still possible that the trailer connector is not wired up to match the vehicle side. I have included a picture that shows how a vehicle and trailer side 7-Way are wired. Ignore the wire colors and focus just on the functions and their associated pins.
And finally, a short could cause this issue. Since the vehicle side connector is new check the trailer side connector. It will need to be clean and free of corrosion inside where the wires attach and outside on the pins.
If there is something wrong with the 12 volt power wire on the vehicle side then Acura should take care of that for you under the vehicle warranty.
Adapter 7-Pole to 6-Pole - Universal
Hopkins Endurance Multi-Tow Trailer Connector Adapter - 7-Way to 6-Way, 5-Way or 4-Way
Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Right Hand - 6,000 lbs
