Trailer wiring harness

lotsajeeps · 05-02-2008, 05:38 PM

Just got a Hopkins plug in kit for trailer wiring. Instructions tell me there is a plug
behind the drivers side rear wheel well that the harness connects to. I can't see it because there is a plastic plate blocking the view. The plug on the drivers side doesn't have the right side stop/turn wire in it. Has someone installed this kit? If I need to remove the wheel well liner I will but if there is no point I would like to have that information. I suppose the left side plug could be used and splice into the right side stop/turn wire but what is the point of spending the big bucks for the kit if it isn't plug and play? Any help is appreciated.

**Jerry Bransford** · 05-02-2008, 06:18 PM

Try removing the RR tail light, you might be able to pull enough of the tail light wiring harness out to get to the plug the adapter plugs into. It's only held in place by two (three?) screws once you remove the red plastic cover.

xtremelx88 · 05-02-2008, 06:31 PM

the plugs are behind the plastic wheel well just pull it out of the way and they are up there, use a flashlight they are hard to fing without one

lotsajeeps · 05-02-2008, 06:31 PM

Thanks, didn't work not enough wire and hole too small.

lotsajeeps · 05-02-2008, 06:34 PM

Xtreme There is a plastic plate blocking access to the area where the plug should be. Maybe need to remove the wheel well liner.

jStein · 05-02-2008, 06:55 PM

That's unfortunate. I think we have the same model TJ and I got the hidden hitch with wiring kit which plugged into one of the tail light harnesses. I've never seen that harness of which you speak.

jeep'd · 05-02-2008, 07:33 PM

I've installed the plug in harness on my '03 TJ and didn't have any problems.
I removed the rear tail lights and the little black plastic plat in both rear corners. The plug you are looking for is wrapped in a black sticky foam tape that is designed to keep it water tight. Carefully remove the tape and unplug the connectors. You plug in the "T" connector in and then plug the tail light plug back in and wrap it back up. Next you run the wire to the other side(right) and repeat the process for that side as well. The biggest problem I had was grounding it to the frame. The metal compound of the frame is so hard that it kept braking the drill bits and the supplied screw.

good luck

redsoxski · 05-02-2008, 09:28 PM

On the later model TJs (04 and up) the OEM trailer wiring harness plugs into the drivers side. The earlier ones plugged into the passengers side...

**militiamedic** · 05-02-2008, 09:43 PM

I have an 04 TJ you have to plug it into the passenger side. I was able to reach up and feel around until I found the harness. I pulled it apart and just put the T in between the two halves, I did it by feel. If you put it on the drivers side it will not work correctly trust me I hooked it up this way first and had to switch it. I grounded it on the cross member behind the gas tank and then covered the screw and ring terminal in liquid electrical tape. No problems.

redsoxski · 05-03-2008, 09:08 AM

I guess I was given some bad info by the dealer (go figure). Anyway, on my 06 its on the drivers side for sure but I'll defer to militiamedic on the passenger side location on an 04. Also, not sure if the different harnesses on the market hook up to different locations, I'm only talking for the OEM one...

lotsajeeps · 05-03-2008, 12:50 PM

Got the wiring installed. The plastic plate that is showing from below when the wheel well liner tab is pulled is the canister for the gas tank. It totally obscures the plugs with no chance to reach in. I installed the Hopkins #42615 on the drivers side and tapped into the passenger side stop/turn wire (brown/red) and connected it to the yellow wire on the plug set. The right side S/T terminals are missing in the OEM plug. A little more work but a lot less than removing the wheel, take out the entire wheel well liner, and removing the canister to get to the plug. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

rockmtn · 07-21-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotsajeeps

Got the wiring installed. The plastic plate that is showing from below when the wheel well liner tab is pulled is the canister for the gas tank. It totally obscures the plugs with no chance to reach in. I installed the Hopkins #42615 on the drivers side and tapped into the passenger side stop/turn wire (brown/red) and connected it to the yellow wire on the plug set. The right side S/T terminals are missing in the OEM plug. A little more work but a lot less than removing the wheel, take out the entire wheel well liner, and removing the canister to get to the plug. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

New to the Forum and format I hope this reply works. Your discussion helped me very much. I called Hopkins tech support. They said the wiring is out of view but up there, just reach around and find it (passenger side). They were right. It was out of sight and reach when following the wiring harness that was furthest back. I found the connector tucked out of sight btn the fuel tank and the bracket that blocks sight of the connection. It was difficult to undo the connection because there's little wire to work with and its all out of sight but its up there.

Your discussions helped me. Thanks! hope this helps someone else. The kit does work.

themcfarland · 05-10-2010, 07:54 PM

I drive a 99, and it was there.. Thanks this was a very easy deal.. The hard part was taking the plug apart..

AFD113 · 06-26-2010, 12:26 PM

I have an 03 TJ, bought the "plug in simple" Hopkins wiring it. Easily found the plug that need to be split. If you look inside the cab, you will see the wire loom, this is what led me to the drivers side where the plug to separate was. I easily plugged in the harness by just moving the plastic out of the way. Hooked up my Willys Overland trailer with new LED lights, and.....no L turn signal. Checked w/test light, no power. Running lights good, good ground, traced all the way back to new plug in harness, no power to the L turn lead there. Bought replacement Hopkins wiring harness & plugged in...STILL no L turn. I then started looking at the plug closer, there are only 3 wires in the factory plug....running, brake & R turn..but NO L turn! ARG!!!

Had to find the correct wire, use one of those cheap inline blue slice connectors & pull a separate wire, tap into the new harness L turn lead and PRESTO! I have a L turn!

Not quite a plug & play, a little PITA, but it works now. I'm a little closer ready to trip to Tybee Island next week! My new black denim top for the trailer is almost done too!

Noob-Jeeper · 10-11-2011, 05:34 PM

http://www.etrailer.com/tv-wiring-install-2000-jeep-wrangler.aspx
VERY straight forward tutorial