Hitch wiring: Vehicles produced before Aug 24?

It appears that if your vehicle was made before Aug 24, then you don't have a 4-pin connector that enables current to flow to the trailer 7-pin female plug for the trailer--when using the OEM trailer wiring kit.

If you didn't have the 4-pin connector, how did you wire in your back-up light power to the center pin of the 7-pin female plug for the trailer? Could I tap directly into my tail light or would that suck too much power? I'm not sure how current/fuses/amps/etc. work...

Hi, I didnt need to deal with this issue, so perhaps others who did can chime in, but I did read quite a bit about it on the ROC so its documented here somewhere. I know that some atleast were succesful getting their dealers to make the fix, since it seemed to be atleast implied if not advertised in the sales literature that this wiring was already in place.

I did have a small issue with the oem harness that required it to be replaced with a later version. The older version of the harness made the drive selection indicators display in ways that were unintended. The Honda doc is also posted somewhere here on the ROC.

Hi, I didnt need to deal with this issue, so perhaps others who did can chime in, but I did read quite a bit about it on the ROC so its documented here somewhere. I know that some atleast were succesful getting their dealers to make the fix, since it seemed to be atleast implied if not advertised in the sales literature that this wiring was already in place.

I did have a small issue with the oem harness that required it to be replaced with a later version. The older version of the harness made the drive selection indicators display in ways that were unintended. The Honda doc is also posted somewhere here on the ROC.


Thank you. I'll see if I can't find something here on the forum.

The August 24th date is 2005. RLs built before that date had both the 4-pin and the 7-pin connectors. However, the 7-pin did not have a wire for the reverse light, so only 6 pins were operable. 4-pin connectors don't ever have reverse light power. The 4 pins are ground, taillights, L turn and R turn signals. There is a TSB out that addresses the problem and Honda has made a kit to retrofit the early RLs. It is stated in the TSB that the repair may be done on a "goodwill" basis, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I asume when you say tail lights you are refering to the back-up light circuit.
I beleive that circuit in fused for only 7.5 amps.

I installed a #14 blue wire to the center pin of the 7-pin connector with some great difficulty because there isn't a wire on that pin to splice/tap into.
See photo's below.


I was going to supply power to that wire from a relay contact and energize the relay from the back-up light wire in the left tail light assembly.
The (normally open) relay contact was powered from the B+ black wire on the 7-pin connector which is fused for 20amps.


Later, after many complaints, Honda came out with a "Service Bulletin For Corection"

I would take it to your dealer and get the " Service Bulletin # 07-022 " completed, as I did.

They will install Kit 8552366 (Part # 32108-SJC-306)
Socket 8307027 (Part # 08L91-SJC-1M102)

It's about 2-3 hour job.



P.S. If the dealer won't do the "goodwill" correction that Webwader mentioned you could try my method but Honda's fix is the way to go.
My dealer did the correction with no questions asked.

I'm a little confused.

What is the technical difference between those produced prior to Aug 25th and those after? I know I'm missing one of the 2 4-pin connectors under the dash (the other is wired to my electric brake controller). What would that 4-pin connector that I'm missing do? According to the wiring schematic, it appears it would've sent current back to the center/back up pin of the 7-pin connector.

Can the TSB be completed w/o that connector being present? Can it be completed on a RTL w/ Honda hitch and hitch wiring installed? I read the TSB and although I have the requisite beginning numbers of the VIN I don't have the ending numbers...

THnx.

What is the technical difference between those produced prior to Aug 25th and those after? I know I'm missing one of the 2 4-pin connectors under the dash (the other is wired to my electric brake controller). What would that 4-pin connector that I'm missing do? According to the wiring schematic, it appears it would've sent current back to the center/back up pin of the 7-pin connector.

Can the TSB be completed w/o that connector being present? Can it be completed on a RTL w/ Honda hitch and hitch wiring installed? I read the TSB and although I have the requisite beginning numbers of the VIN I don't have the ending numbers...
I was the one that was confused Grimloktt. I didn't know that you were referring to the connector under the dash. You are right about it being part of the reverse light connection.
Yes, the purpose of the TSB is to fix the problem on the older wiring harnesses without that connector.