[arctic_front]

Hi all. Just a tip for anybody that has the factory trailer wiring harness and hitch installed.

Dealer installed my trailer towing kit just after i bought it. I have used it a couple of times and found the nifty dust-cap with the LED's in it to look like a good idea. Well.........

I have about 20,000 miles on my truck now, and during a recent 2000 mile road trip, I noticed the interior lights on things like heater controls, window buttons, and steering wheel stereo controls were out. Hmmmmm, I thought. I had it checked at a dealership along the way and they changed a fuse. I suspected the problem was due to the auto-start interface. On the next day, I blew another fuse.

on getting home, I took my truck to the dealer to get it fixed, as they installed both the auto start and trailering kit.

Ok, I was not expecting the fuse issue to be what it turned out to be. Remember the cap on the trailer wiring? I guess that cap is not to be used as a cap at all....but for a test. my question is: why have a cap that can't be used as a cap, and then have it attached to the pig-tail of the harness?
maybe they could have told me?

I'm not making this up, they actually didn't tell me, in my city, in Canada.

P.S. that last bit is a joke the other Canadian members will understand, so don't think I'm nuts or anything...

 

[roatan4us]

That sounds very strange. I do have the factory towing package, and it has no such cap with led, are you talking about the 7 pin connector? The factory tow pck is quite different from what the dealers usually do, ie, a hitch and wiring. I would not have ever gone that way, but since you did, you should make that dealer fix the problem, it is not uncommon here in the U.S. for dealers to send the truck out to a trailer shop for such installations, most service people I have talked to do not know squat about towing features, other than sell you some piece of hardware you can buy for 1/2 the price other places.
Hope you get it fixed.

 

[arctic_front]

Dealer made good

I know this was a factory harness and hitch install. it had toyota written all over it. I have been treated fairly and promptly every single time I've ever been to any toyota dealer....ever. I have been driving new Toyota's since '90, and never once had a problem.

They quickly diagnosed the electrical problem and fixed it right away, and of course, no charge. I kinda feed bad for you folks that get a run-around by Toyota USA.

 

[roatan4us]

No I haven't had any problems with Toyota in the U.S. Your the one that wrote about this crazy dealer installed tow problem, all I am saying is that it is very strange. I have never seen a cap for the 7 pin connector with any test lights, like you call them, sounds really weird, and the thing is blowilng fuses? Your dealer is obviously taking you for a ride. Also my point was to you that dealers like to act as if they can install a hitch and wire the truck for trailer lights, and bingo, you have a truck with towing package. That is Not a Towingn Package.
Did they also wire for brake controller? Change out your stock alternator? Change out the battery with at least a group 27? Install transmission and engine coolers? Thats most of the factory tow package from Toyota. Good luck

 

[arctic_front]

just to clarify,, it was a 4-pin plug. and truck already had bigger alternator and tow package goodies installed, oil cooler ect. as part of TRD off-road pkg. And wire harness is a simple plug-in, no cutting or splicing. I suspect the plug/cap may not have been making proper contact, or was not meant to be installed....either way, no issue with the dealer, vould have been my own fault if cap not properly inserted.

As for Toyota USA, I was referring to some of the poster's here that have been jerked around on the paint issue and other things. was not meant as a slur on Toy USA. just one of those things that make me go ""Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm???"

 

[calicoupe]

Roatan4us - who installed your brake controller? Does it work or compatible with the stock 7 pin connector that came with the tow package?

thank you

 

[roatan4us]

I installed the brake controller myself. It was pretty easy as I ordered the "specific" wire harness with it for my truck. Then just mounted the bracket on the steering column cover. Yes it works great for the 7 pin connector that is stock with the towing package. That is what the 7 pin connectors are for , so the brakes have power, and also for charging the battery that is necassary to operate the brake away switch. Other wise if you have a 4 pin connector they just carry power to the lights period.
You probaly already know that depending on the weight of the trailer you tow it depends if you have to have trailer brakes, or not. The factory tow pck includes all the important equipment that the truck must have if towing anything of any real weight, except the brake controller. If you have any more questions just e mail me, I'll be glad to share what I did, it works like a champ on my 3,000 lb trailer.
Carl