Hello.
I had Honda install the trailer towing package when I bought my 2011 Honda Odyssey EXL. When I hooked up the trailer - the tail and marker lights go on with the headlights but the stop and turn signals don't work. I used a tester and a trailer quick tester device and have confirmed that there is no power to the left or right turn signal plugs. Only the running lights and the ground is good.
I brought it in to the dealer and the guy told me that it is installed correctly but Honda does things differently and they work on the gorund side of everything. They get universal power and then connec thte ground wires through different modules to complete the circuit.
He said because of this, the main power is through the running/tail light plug which only comes on with the headlights. The ground is a permanent ground and then the left and right turn signals (which when both on are the stop lights) do not get power - instead - when you turn on the turn signal or hit the breaks, the module that came with the towing package, connects the ground allowing the circuit to be completed.
I told him that would mean that no trailer would work on their system. He said - well there isn't a towing wiring std. I told him there abosolutely is and showed him on the internet. White is ground, Brown is power to running/tail lights with headlights on, yellow is left turn signal/stop and green is right turn signal/stop. I told him the entire trailer would need to be re-wired - BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY - MY TURN SIGNALS AND STOP LIGHTS WOULD ONLY WORK IF MY HEADLIGHTS WERE ON.
He printed out a screen shot of the wiring diagram (which I will try to scan and upload). The diagram shows power to a towing module and then the white, brown, yellow and green wires coming out. He ASSUMED that because the power coming into the unit was above and in line with the brown wire for headlights - that the others were using the ground-side methodology for wiring. There is nothing indicating that the wires are ground or have positive voltage. He just assumed that because he got those readings and Honda uses ground-side system and the wiring diagram showed two wires in alignment - that this is how it is.
I asked him if it was wired wrong or the module is bad. His response was - well if I order a new one and that isnt it, are you going to pay for it. I told him that instead - he should look up or ask for tech help in determining if the module is supposed to be outputting power to the brown, yellow and green wires.
His tech support is closed on Saturday so they need to keep my car until Monday. On Tuesday - we were supposed to leave for a vacation.
1. Why don't they have support - they said Saturday is one of their business service days. That makes NO sense
2. Can someone tell me - or better yet show me - whether the towing module outputs power to the yellow and green wires or it makes in a ground?
3. If this is really true - which would be another hugely dumb thing - is there some converter so I don't have to wire my trailer over? IT would be a big pain to do.
Thanks - and sorry for the long post. I'm just very frustrated.
scott
I had Honda install the trailer towing package when I bought my 2011 Honda Odyssey EXL. When I hooked up the trailer - the tail and marker lights go on with the headlights but the stop and turn signals don't work. I used a tester and a trailer quick tester device and have confirmed that there is no power to the left or right turn signal plugs. Only the running lights and the ground is good.
I brought it in to the dealer and the guy told me that it is installed correctly but Honda does things differently and they work on the gorund side of everything. They get universal power and then connec thte ground wires through different modules to complete the circuit.
He said because of this, the main power is through the running/tail light plug which only comes on with the headlights. The ground is a permanent ground and then the left and right turn signals (which when both on are the stop lights) do not get power - instead - when you turn on the turn signal or hit the breaks, the module that came with the towing package, connects the ground allowing the circuit to be completed.
I told him that would mean that no trailer would work on their system. He said - well there isn't a towing wiring std. I told him there abosolutely is and showed him on the internet. White is ground, Brown is power to running/tail lights with headlights on, yellow is left turn signal/stop and green is right turn signal/stop. I told him the entire trailer would need to be re-wired - BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY - MY TURN SIGNALS AND STOP LIGHTS WOULD ONLY WORK IF MY HEADLIGHTS WERE ON.
He printed out a screen shot of the wiring diagram (which I will try to scan and upload). The diagram shows power to a towing module and then the white, brown, yellow and green wires coming out. He ASSUMED that because the power coming into the unit was above and in line with the brown wire for headlights - that the others were using the ground-side methodology for wiring. There is nothing indicating that the wires are ground or have positive voltage. He just assumed that because he got those readings and Honda uses ground-side system and the wiring diagram showed two wires in alignment - that this is how it is.
I asked him if it was wired wrong or the module is bad. His response was - well if I order a new one and that isnt it, are you going to pay for it. I told him that instead - he should look up or ask for tech help in determining if the module is supposed to be outputting power to the brown, yellow and green wires.
His tech support is closed on Saturday so they need to keep my car until Monday. On Tuesday - we were supposed to leave for a vacation.
1. Why don't they have support - they said Saturday is one of their business service days. That makes NO sense
2. Can someone tell me - or better yet show me - whether the towing module outputs power to the yellow and green wires or it makes in a ground?
3. If this is really true - which would be another hugely dumb thing - is there some converter so I don't have to wire my trailer over? IT would be a big pain to do.
Thanks - and sorry for the long post. I'm just very frustrated.
scott
