Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Tuesday March 19, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Electrical & Lighting

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-30-2008, 10:58 PM   #1
Mojambo
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 102581
Join Date: Dec 2005
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Vehicle:
2006 STI-USDM
SGM

Default trailer wiring w/module: 12v or not?

Hey,

I was looking at posts about the trailer wiring. I see that some run a 12v assisted module. this Module would have 6 wires coming IN(one is 12V) and goes out to a 4 pin trailer connector.

no 12V:
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/ part #119130
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/fitguides/pdf/N119130.pdf

12V:
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/ part #119186
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/fitguides/pdf/N119186.pdf

I've found 2 kinds of boosters/modules, some have a 12v source and wires for lights. Some have no 12v and only 5 wires into a 4 pin connector.

Question is:

Can the stock wiring handle 2 more lights from a trailer? do you need the 12V assisted module?


I looked at the wiring diagram for the WRX wagons, I do see the 6pin connector that comes stock on it. I can't remember if this 12v in the 6 pin is seperate from the other wires in the OEM rear harness and has its own fuse(I don't think it does)

if there is no seperate 12v wiring with fuse for the Wagon trailer harness, that means that we can tap the wires at the light and take the power from the tailights.

Of course the added 12v won't hurt, but it seems to me that it's not needed.

Can someone pls confirm or deny this?
(I can't see the rear tails/wiring harness diagram right now)

Thanks,

Eric
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Mojambo is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 05-30-2008, 11:12 PM   #2
Cougar4
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 53443
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Vehicle:
2001 LL Bean Outback
Winestone

Default

If you are just tieing to a couple of 25 watt lights on the trailer then you should be ok just using the stock wiring to drive the extra lights.
Cougar4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2008, 03:16 PM   #3
Mojambo
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 102581
Join Date: Dec 2005
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Vehicle:
2006 STI-USDM
SGM

Default

bump- Anyone try this with a non 12v boosted module?

E
Mojambo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2008, 03:35 PM   #4
Mojambo
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 102581
Join Date: Dec 2005
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Vehicle:
2006 STI-USDM
SGM

Default

OK,

so I looked at the wiring diagram and compared the sedan to the wagon. You can see that the wagon has the extra connector and pin 6 and 3 are used for the power to the connector. If you look back down the line, they hit an intersection where the sedan and wagon wiring is the same. From there, they are both sharing the same fuse. (#16?)



I do believe that there is no supplemental 12v powering the rear trailer connector. It all comes from the same source(fuse).
Mojambo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2008, 04:53 PM   #5
jdubya301
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 139076
Join Date: Jan 2007
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Scranton PA
Vehicle:
2002 stg2 wagon
03 suzuki sv650s

Default

i am gonna bump this up... i just got a trailer and i am trying to figure out what i need.

i would rather install a non 12v system so that i dont have to run a wire all the way up to the battery.

any help would be appreciated guys
jdubya301 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2008, 08:51 PM   #6
Cougar4
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 53443
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Vehicle:
2001 LL Bean Outback
Winestone

Default

I'll repeat my first reply on this:

"If you are just tieing to a couple of 25 watt lights on the trailer then you should be ok just using the stock wiring to drive the extra lights."

If you need to run more lights than that, I would recommend you get the module to drive the trailer lights.
Cougar4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2008, 09:26 PM   #7
jdubya301
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 139076
Join Date: Jan 2007
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Scranton PA
Vehicle:
2002 stg2 wagon
03 suzuki sv650s

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cougar4 View Post
I'll repeat my first reply on this:

"If you are just tieing to a couple of 25 watt lights on the trailer then you should be ok just using the stock wiring to drive the extra lights."

If you need to run more lights than that, I would recommend you get the module to drive the trailer lights.

o ok, i didnt catch that cougar.. thanks
jdubya301 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2008, 01:40 AM   #8
Cougar4
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 53443
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Vehicle:
2001 LL Bean Outback
Winestone

Default

You're welcome for the help.
Cougar4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2008, 01:48 AM   #9
jdubya301
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 139076
Join Date: Jan 2007
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Scranton PA
Vehicle:
2002 stg2 wagon
03 suzuki sv650s

Default

would i need one of those modulator boxes, or can i just tap the corresponding wires and connect them to one of the trailer plugs? sorry i know nothing about trailer wiring.

all i know is some cars require those modulator boxes because of the way the ecu's control the taillights. that was how all of my families' vehicles were, just wondering if the wrx will be the same way.
jdubya301 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2008, 02:26 AM   #10
Cougar4
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 53443
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Vehicle:
2001 LL Bean Outback
Winestone

Default

The ECU controls things for the engine and doesn't have any control of the taillights. The flasher unit needs to be able to supply the power for the trailer lights. Maybe you are thinking of a box for the brakes on a trailer.
Cougar4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2008, 09:32 AM   #11
rkramer
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 118209
Join Date: Jun 2006
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: North Dakota
Vehicle:
2015 WRX Limitec

Default

You DO need one of those modulator boxes... it has nothing to do with the ECU, it is to convert the lighting scheme used by most imports into something that a 4 wire trailer will handle. (blinking the brake light as a signal) You can build one with a couple diodes, or just buy one of the sealed ones fairly cheap. (I installed the walmart one that is around $10 IIRC a month ago, works well, but you need to use an extension with it, I wouldn't recommend putting the converter box outside the vehicle)

http://www.ontheball.com/taillight_convert.htm
rkramer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2008, 12:45 PM   #12
jdubya301
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 139076
Join Date: Jan 2007
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Scranton PA
Vehicle:
2002 stg2 wagon
03 suzuki sv650s

Default

Thank you for clarifying that rkramer.. thats exactly what i wanted to know.

yeah i had a late night i wasnt thinking properly... haha i know the ecu is for the motor.. lol. i think what i was trying to refer to was the fact that most vehicles have complicated (and almost always computer controlled) lighting systems, that need decoding for the 4 pin trailer harness.

thanks guys. walmart, here i come
jdubya301 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2008, 03:02 PM   #13
Mojambo
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 102581
Join Date: Dec 2005
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Vehicle:
2006 STI-USDM
SGM

Default

I did end up finishing this last week. I used a non 12V assisted module. Works great! Lights are nice and bright and everything works perfectly.

As cougar stated. if you are using many lights on the trailer, a 12V assisted module is a great idea.

As I see it, an Impreza probably shouldn't be pulling a trailer that is so big/heavy load capacity that it has many lights.(there are always exceptions)

thanks for the help guys!

Eric
Mojambo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2008, 12:25 AM   #14
jonney_boy
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 28747
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region: VIC
Vehicle:
06 WRX

Default

another option, LED trailer lights are now VERY common and cheap. They draw WAY less power than even a 25w bulb. just something to consider

led indicator lamps on my trailer at home are like $5 each.... led signal lamps (turn signal + brake lights) are like $20-25 each.....
jonney_boy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2008, 03:43 AM   #15
jdubya301
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 139076
Join Date: Jan 2007
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Scranton PA
Vehicle:
2002 stg2 wagon
03 suzuki sv650s

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jonney_boy View Post
another option, LED trailer lights are now VERY common and cheap. They draw WAY less power than even a 25w bulb. just something to consider

led indicator lamps on my trailer at home are like $5 each.... led signal lamps (turn signal + brake lights) are like $20-25 each.....
good point.. i love the look of led tails on trailers. i am converting my jetski trailer to serve as a motorcycle trailer. leds would be nice.... no burning out hot bulbs when they hit the water. i may just have to suck it up and spend the extra few bucks!
jdubya301 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
08 taillight wiring colors - or, installing a trailer wiring harness Must@ng Electrical & Lighting 1 08-25-2009 09:36 PM
Upgrading sound system: Use stock speaker wiring or not? ryanjg11 Car Audio, Video & Security 11 08-10-2009 01:56 PM
HELP-Need to find a wire for switched 12V inside the cabin....anyone know? dchou Electrical & Lighting 2 02-07-2007 09:13 PM
what does the subaru world want? Show or go? trailer queen or not? deathinacan Member's Car Gallery 28 10-21-2006 07:44 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.