| artesian79 |
I have a 2003 Acura MDX with the factory installed towing options. I purchased a Snow Bear trailer at SAMS Club a little while ago and this is the first time I’ve towed anything with the MDX. I keep blowing fuses and the dealer has been unable to help me resolve the issue. To make matters worse, the problem is manifesting itself differently now than it did originally.
When I first bought the trailer the fuse servicing the Dash Lights and Running Lights would blow if I turned on my lights. While I didn’t like this, I was able to use the trailer during the day and did connect the trailer wiring to the MDX so that the brake lights would be seen.
I took both the trailer and the MDX to my dealer for assistance. The dealer told me that the problem was in the trailer’s wiring as they had taken the MDX “down the road” and plugged in another trailer and the lights were fine.
I took the trailer back to SAMS and they hooked up another Snow Bear trailer and the fuse blew. To them this meant the problem was in the MDX.
I then took the trailer to U-haul for a third party testing of the trailer and MDX. They tested the trailer wiring and said it was fine. The employee even hooked the Snow Bear up to his truck and there wasn’t a problem. He then hooked up a U-haul trailer for transporting cars to the MDX and there wasn’t a problem there either. Thinking that perhaps there was not a solid enough ground between the Snow Bear and my MDX, they added a ground which was clipped to the underside of the MDX and the fuse still blew when the trailer was attached and the lights turned on.
At this point U-haul told me that the converter in the MDX was not functioning correctly. The employee’s truck used a single bulb for something to do with the lights (as did both trailers) whereas the MDX used 2 bulbs for that something. The converter is suppose to take care of the switching.
Before I could get back to the dealer, the problem became worse in that I can no longer attach the trailer and wiring without blowing the fuse – whether or not I use the lights. I can attach the trailer (and wiring) and drive around without turning on the lights. The first time I use the lights after detaching the trailer (and wiring) the fuse blows. The time between detaching the trailer and using the lights can be overnight.
When I took the MDX back to the dealer he said that there was no way there was a problem with the factory installed wiring/converter and that the problem had to be the trailer. I explained all the testing but he was not open to there being a problem with the MDX. During this discussion I also described how the problem had changed and he accused me of “changing my story”.
So, I’ve searched here and via google but cannot find an answer. Does this ring a bell with any of you? |
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| phins2rt |
artesian,
I have only used my trailer twice, I think. I didn't have any problems until the last time I used it. I blew fuse 10 on the passenger side fuse box. I know I have used the trailer in the past with no problems. I will be hooking her up again this weekend so we will see how it goes. FWIW, I have a third party electrical harness that I am using. I take it yours is OEM?? |
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| artesian79 |
Phins2rt - I bought my MDX in Atlanta and the dealer there installed the hitch and wiring harness etc. , so it is whatever they use. I live in Cincinnati and one of the dealers here is who I've been working with.
I'm thinking it is Fuse 10 as well. It's on the passenger's side and is 15 amps. I've gotten really good at changing it! :( |
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| frostyra |
The MDX does have a different lighting setup from the trailer -- separate brake and turn lights for the MDX, and combined brake/turn lights for the trailer. How the convertors work, I don't know, although I can guess somewhat. Since (according to the Electrical Troubleshooting Manual) the convertor is on the left side of the cargo area, it shouldn't be too hard to find or check out.
Coming into the convertor from the car are white (ground), yellow (left turn), green (right turn), brown (taillights on), and red (brake) wires. Coming out and going to the trailer connector are white (ground), yellow (left turn/brake), green (right turn/brake), and brown (taillights) wires. A test meter or a test lamp, without a trailer connected, should tell you if the convertor is a) wired correctly, and if it is, b) working correctly. Since I don't have a hitch, I can't help further.
That fuse protects the taillight relay, which controls parking lights, taillights, license lights, and almost all interior lights (the things that turn on when your taillights are on). It does not protect brake or turn signal lights. So it appears to be the taillight part of the harness, convertor, or trailers that is the problem. If it turns out that the dealer's tech wired something wrong, or if the harness he installed was faulty, then try to talk him into replacing the taillight relay, too, as it has probably been damaged.
Good luck! |
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| artesian79 |
| Thanks for all your information! Hopefully this will help me find the problem. |
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| HerbTarlek |
I can't add much but this is my original post.
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...ht=blowing+fuse
since they replaced the wiring I have had no further trouble. The fuse started blowing intermittently but towards the end, it was instantaneous, as soon as I replaced it, poof, it blew....
Good luck.... |
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