| NSXBill |
I had asked questions here and got a lot of answers about this subject, but thought I would post a few pics of my experience in successfully changing out the OEM Flat 4-Pin trailer lights connector for a Flat 5-Pin connector.
Background: I have a 2003 MDX that I had installed the OEM towing package on, including the coolers and wiring. I bought a new boat that required a Flat 5-Pin connector instead of the OEM Flat 4-Pin connector to power the back-up lights and to disengage the brakes when backing.
I bought a Flat 5-Pin connector with about 3' of wire on it from a trailer place for about $3.
I cut the OEM wire harness downstream of its connector for the white and brown wires and downstream of the black box for the yellow and green wires. I removed the cut-off OEM harness and then measured how everything was placed on it and made a diagram with dimensions to refer to later.
I striped the vinyle sheathing, corrugated sheathing and two large grommets from the piece I had removed. I then installed those things onto the new 5-Pin harness as shown: |
|
|
| NSXBill |
| Here's some other shots: |
|
|
| NSXBill |
| Measuring to make the new harness just like the OEM one: |
|
|
| NSXBill |
| And the complete NEW OEM-like 5-pin harness: |
|
|
| NSXBill |
I then reinstalled it just like the OEM one using a black tie to hold it in the OEM location on the hitch. I used clips to connect the wires that I got a the trailer place (included in the $3). You can see where the brown and white wires, plus the green and yellow wires are connected to the right.
The OEM snap-connector (shown not connected in this picture) actually HAS the back-up light wire wired into it (its the one that doesn't have a corresponding pin in the trailer light harness. Simply cross the blue wire (this is the wire this whole exercise is about) over and connect it to this back-up light wire as shown. |
|
|
| ygnition |
thanks for the informative post and pics!
I need to do the same for mine - to disable the surge brakes when backing uphill... Just one question - I crawled underneath my 04 and note that the wiring dissappears into the floorpan with that grommet. What did you have to remove to get at the OEM harness connection box? |
|
|
| eurohazard |
| Great post and pics. |
|
|
| NSXBill |
You have to remove the plastic door sill. Open the headrest storage compartment and carefully pry out the two push-pins (you may break one doing this- get a replacement for $1 at AutoZone). Then rotate the sill up and back...you'll have to pull as there are four or so clips holding it in. Once removed, you will have access to the wiring as shown. The carpet shown in the photos above is that in the bottom of the storage compartment.
Good luck. |
|
|
| ygnition |
| Thanks. I figured that was it, but wanted to make sure that there wasn't an easier way. I got it off and will install it this weekend. Thanks again. |
|
|
| Warzau |
| Again which wires are for backup light and ground? Im going to tap into this for my reverse camera. |
|
|
| NSXBill |
| Sorry dude, don't remember the colors exactly. From the photo, the ground is black with silver. The back-up light wire is green with either a brown or yellow stripe. If you have the hitch wire harness, you can easily tell because it is the only wire without a corresponding wire in the hitch wire harness. You can use a multimeter to be sure. I did. |
|
|
| ygnition |
mine was installed a little different from yours. Might be a difference between 03 and 04 MDXs... the trailer lights were tapped directly into the wires and no 'box' as you see in your pics were there. I had a heck of a time trying to figure out which was the reverse light power.. finally discovered that the backup wire is NOT in the set that is in the connectors I have. I'm pretty sure of this 'cause if i disconnect the right taillight connector and have the car in reverse, the backup lights STILL go on (but the taillights and brake lights will not work). Also used my multimeter on all the wires and could not locate a wire that was turned on by going into reverse.. i also don't have a dead-end connector that is in your pics.. along the way, discovered a couple of fuses hidden underneath the third row seats for the trailer lights on a bracket for made for holding the fuses and a mysterious black box ??
.. so finally went the unsubtle way and had to run a tap wire into the tailight itself (BLACK/GREEN) wire and run a single wire directly back to the connector area. a few zip ties, connectors and I'm good to go.. i'll hook up the boat this weekend and find out if i goofed.. |
|
|
| NSXBill |
The picture is a little misleading. There is no dead-end connector. The connector is simply not connected. You can see each end, but they are not connected yet in the picture. Before the trailer light wire harness is installed, there IS a dead-end connector in that area. It has been removed.
I can't believe yours is so different. I originally installed mine EXACTLY as the well-written instructions showed. Maybe your dealer let some U-Haul place do yours? Anyway, glad to know you got it done. Hope it works! |
|
|
| NSXBill |
| Here's a picture of the finished product |
|
|
| NSXBill |
Now I am trying to mount this harness I made into my new 07 PILOT. The wire that used to be the back-up light now is not hot when back-up lights are on. It must be for something else? It's yellow now and substantially bigger than the other wires. Still not used for the stock OEM trailer-light wire harness, but I need it for the above-noted 5-pin conversion. Where to get Back-up light power? The Pilots back-ups are located in the tailgate, not the side, back lights. Looks like a lot of trouble to get to if no easier solution.
Tim, can you provide a current 07 Pilot wire scheme for this connector to determine what the yellow wire (unused for OEM wire harness) is?
Thanks in advance,
Bill |
|
|
|
