Adding a towing hitch, question on wiring

[The_Head]

I was wondering if I would need to buy this kit when I add a trailer hitch to my car.

http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-V...cleid=19901495


I have searched on this before and someone said theres a harness (4 pin, I believe) in the trunk just waiting to be hooked up to a trailer. Just wanted to make sure so I don't buy something I don't need.

[wherm]

that kit seems a little overkill seeing that you could just tap directly into the taillight harnesses. You need to tap into the brake light wire, left turn, and right turn. The fourth wire is ground. I am almost certain there is no 4 pin harness prewired into our cars. Lots of trailer wiring diagrams online, but should also be included with the plug pigtail you buy.

[cp[mike]]

There is an extra connector in the CB trunk that I believe is intended for this very use. It is in the upper driver side, don't remember if its visible or behind the side panel but its an extra connector taped to the harness loom that I'm nearly positive has all the connections you need broken out right there. Definitely not a traditional 4pin jack (its a honda block) but its worth looking for. I don't have experience using it so I don't know the pinout but as far as I have always understood, that plug should be there on all CBs

[Accrdwgnguy]

There is an extra connector in the CB trunk that I believe is intended for this very use. It is in the upper driver side, don't remember if its visible or behind the side panel but its an extra connector taped to the harness loom that I'm nearly positive has all the connections you need broken out right there. Definitely not a traditional 4pin jack (its a honda block) but its worth looking for. I don't have experience using it so I don't know the pinout but as far as I have always understood, that plug should be there on all CBs

Yea its blue, same as a rear defogger switch plug. You may still able able to order the adapter harness from honda. If not, test the pin outs with a test light and build a harness.

EDIT: That box is to convert the separate brakelight, left + right turn signal curcuits, into a left brake/turn, and right brake/turn light curcuits, which is how the 4-way trailer light function, without back feeding into the car's curcuits. The brown wire on the 4-way is just for running lights. So yes, you would need one of those convertor boxes for an import.

Ebay for $28

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hitch...item3a6463a9f0

[The_Head]

Thanks Accordwagonguy. I was reading my owners manual and it mentions the plug in the back somewhere and that you had to get the adapter harness from Honda. Looks like the Ebay item will work if Honda no longer carries this harness for our ancient vehicle.

[The_Head]

Looks like Honda no longer carries the conversion harness for our car. Would a conversion harness from a later model Accord still work though? Seems like trailer wiring wouldn't change much over time but I could be wrong.

BTW I did a little towing test run last weekend and the car did ok. I took my Honda '81 CM200T on a 40 mile trip to see how the car would do pulling a load. The total weight was about 675 pounds. The car did ok. You can tell there is something back there because you have more understeer than usual. I got about 25 mpg pulling this load and fighting a 25 mph wind. I did 60-65 mph.

[CB9]

There is an extra connector in the CB trunk that I believe is intended for this very use. It is in the upper driver side, don't remember if its visible or behind the side panel but its an extra connector taped to the harness loom that I'm nearly positive has all the connections you need broken out right there. Definitely not a traditional 4pin jack (its a honda block) but its worth looking for. I don't have experience using it so I don't know the pinout but as far as I have always understood, that plug should be there on all CBs

Yea its blue, same as a rear defogger switch plug. You may still able able to order the adapter harness from honda. If not, test the pin outs with a test light and build a harness.

EDIT: That box is to convert the separate brakelight, left + right turn signal curcuits, into a left brake/turn, and right brake/turn light curcuits, which is how the 4-way trailer light function, without back feeding into the car's curcuits. The brown wire on the 4-way is just for running lights. So yes, you would need one of those convertor boxes for an import.

Ebay for $28

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hitch...item3a6463a9f0

Thread resurrection... this is basically the only helpful source of information I can find about trailer hitch light wiring for a '90-93 Accord anywhere on the Internet!

I just put a Curt 11800 trailer hitch on my '92 Accord LX wagon... I'm going to be taking my CBR600RR to the track this year and the trusty wagon is the best vehicle I own for doing that.

Can someone confirm if this OEM-provided trailer wiring pigtail that cp[mike] and Accrdwgnguy described also exists on the 4th-gen wagon? And if so, where is it?

Either way, can I simply splice the OEM parking light, brake, and turn signal wires into a four-wire flat connector to hook to my trailer light connector, or do I also need an adapter?

I've used this cheap IIT 16690 5-4 wire adapter successfully on my '03 AP1 S2000 (I tow a trailer that carries my wheels/tires, fuel jugs, and tools when I go to the track with my S2k)... will it also work on my '92 Accord?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EKW0DC

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Jarrett]

The connector is there on the wagon. The only issue is that the accessory harness is not produced anymore so you'll have to make your own with an aftermarket harness like you've shown and a spare female connector that matches the male connector on the chassis.

Many CB9s have tow hitches on them already, though most I see are aftermarket. I want to get a hitch for mine as well so I've been looking around the junkyards for OEM stuff. I'll eventually just do what I described and make a harness.

[CB9]

The connector is there on the wagon. The only issue is that the accessory harness is not produced anymore so you'll have to make your own with an aftermarket harness like you've shown and a spare female connector that matches the male connector on the chassis.

Thanks for the reply Jarrett!

I'm sorry, I'm still not clear though: can I just tap into the existing OEM wires to run my trailer's lamps to have them operate as running lights and indicate as brake indicators and turn signals; or do I need to buy and use a five-wire to four-wire convertor box like this?

[H311RA151N]

Didn't know people pulled trailers much with their Accords. A little off topic and not my pic but I ran across this image a few weeks ago.

[illinois_erik]

Thanks for the reply Jarrett!

I'm sorry, I'm still not clear though: can I just tap into the existing OEM wires to run my trailer's lamps to have them operate as running lights and indicate as brake indicators and turn signals; or do I need to buy and use a five-wire to four-wire convertor box like this?

[CB9]

Thanks for the factory wiring diagram illinois_erik, that's very helpful.

So, based on the fact that there are FIVE OEM wires for the tail light functions on the Accord (not counting the reverse/backup lights):

Green/blue: left turn
Green/yellow: right turn
Red/black: parking lights
Green/white: brake
Black: ground

Green/black: reverse

- I gotta assume I do need a five-wire to four-wire trailer wiring converter.

A little off topic and not my pic but I ran across this image a few weeks ago.

^ That looks like a really bad idea... the Curt hitch I just installed is only a Class I, which means a towing capacity up to 2,000 lbs GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) and 200 lbs TW (Tongue Weight). Same for the Draw-Tite 24639, the other popular trailer hitch specifically made for the '90–'93 Honda Accord.

Really doubt that car/trailer combo is 2,000 pounds or less, even if that trailer is all aluminum (looks to be galvanized steel) and that car is 1,800 lbs or under (unlikely).

Could still probably get away with it for a slow and careful, short-distance tow across town... but I certainly wouldn't go highway speeds with that rig.