1999 Toyota 4Runner tow plug

Tiny
KATHOLIVER50
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 3.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
Just purchased vehicle 2nd owner first never towed anything. Went to tow our trailer (water toys) and only the running lights work no turn signals or brakes. It definitely appeared that the original owner never even took the cap off the plug is in pristine condition. We tested it and could only get power for the running lights none of the other areas appeared to have power. It does not look easy to get to the main lines to find out why it does not work. The wires disappear into the frame. Is there somewhere to look for the start connection? Thanks
Monday, June 23rd, 2014 AT 9:46 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
I am assuming it's the trailer lights not working. Check ground from trailer to truck and start at tow plug for power for other lights like brake stop etc. Check colored wires at plug pointed out inpic also check your flasher intruck may not be heavy duty enough for a trailer.
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Monday, June 23rd, 2014 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
KATHOLIVER50
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Thanks all the lights work on the 4 runner. No power to any of the wires at the plug except for the running lights and wires before the plug have no power either. Thought we checked all fuses but checking again today.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 7:18 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
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I pointed to the combination meter it may be a problem there although try to see where the tow harness is connected as it may be broken there or the harness damaged there. If all the lights work in the truck then it has to be in the back there or the ground for the trailer isn't that good. If all thetruck lights work then it's not a fuse issue
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
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One other thing if this is not a factory hookup most places use the cheap push to clamp wires and they lose contact. So if you can see where it's bee spliced in then go to there and if they have the cheap push with pliers to connect connectors they should be cut and crimped with good connectors then soldered and have shrink tubing put over it.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 8:15 AM
Tiny
KATHOLIVER50
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Thanks again it is a factory hook up not an add on. Trailer works on other vehicle so we are almost 100% it is 4 runner. All lights on the toyota work fine. I guess we will need to take it in. We have done all you have suggested. Darn all wires into the harness appear to be intact but I suppose somewhere inside the framing there could be a split it just seems so strange. I do believe they have never worked since it came off the lot.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
KATHOLIVER50
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  • 4 POSTS
I wanted to thank everyone who responded and let anyone looking on this site know what the issue was so they could repair themselves. The 4 runner 1999 is notorious for having the trailer light converter go out. Located in the bed behind the drivers side brake light assembly it's not too difficult to get to. Toyota stopped making the part and switched to a different system apparently for the factory set up. Napa Auto parts here in the NW is the only place we could find that had a similar plug assembly without having to put in generic and rewire. Thanks again
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Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 7:17 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Figured it had to be something like that the don't even give a trailer wiring in our manual. Thanks.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 8:01 AM

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