Trailer Wiring Harness Question...

[SurfXJSnow]

Just installed one on the xj and want to make sure i did it right...

i used the flat 4 plug connector...

I attached the left turn wire to the left turn wire, tested it, works...
Right turn to right turn, tested and works...
Ground works well, tester lights right up...

now my problem is, the running lights AND the brake lights... There are only 4 wires in a flat 4 connector wiring harness... yet I have 2 wires coming out for tail lights. One is the running lights, the other is the actual brakelight that only engaged when the brake is applied.

Now my question is, i went ahead and spliced the brake AND running lights together to the pigtail on the wiring harness labeled "tail lights". Did i do this right? Its beyond me why there was only one wire for "tail lights", and not a running light wire. I just want to make sure that when the trailer is plugged in, the running lights work all the time, and the brake lights only engaged when the brake is being pressed (obviously)... and that i didnt do anything wrong.

Already bothered Frank, Mike, and Chris on this issue with no success. Maybe ill just have to take it up to Uhaul tomorrow and ask if i can hook it up to a trailer to test the running and brake lights.

any help would be awesome.

 

[YELLAHEEP]

I swear, kids these days...... GOOGLE IT!!!!! Wiring diagrams are all over the 'net......... :twak:

 

[SurfXJSnow]

so then i did it wrong. the brake lights go with the turn signals... now i gotta pull the rear panel again and splice into the brake wires for both turn signals. whippie!

 

[SurfXJSnow]

turns out after talking to Troy earlier, we figured out that the XJ's have independent brake light and turn signal circuits. because of this, a basic flat 4 pin trailer connector cannot work with an Xj because they have seperate brake lights and turn signals...

so, following troys advice, i checked pep boys for a converter that opens a new circuit for a brake light. 5 wire instead of 4 (including ground). This adapter has a connection for both left and right turn signals, brake lights, and running lights, and a ground... Compared to the basic 4 pin where it only has left and right turn signals, running lights, and a ground. With the basic 4 pin connection, you are supposed to run the brake lights with the turn signals, but because the XJ has seperate lights, the basic cannot be used. The converter box was about 26 bux, so for future reference, a converter box is the only way to wire up your trailer wiring.

Also, be aware that Jeep changed the side where the wiring comes back for the tail lights often. I originally thought it was all on the drivers side, when in fact it was split, meaning drivers side lights on drivers, passengers side on passengers... just for future reference. I had to run a wire under the hatch covers to the other tail light for the turn signal.

and i am finally DONE!