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Topic: No Toad Brake Lights (Read 841 times) previous topic - next topic

No Toad Brake Lights

Gary's thread (about diodes) has reminded me of a nagging problem that exists when towing our Honda Accord.  When Smitty's (in Houston) set up the tow bar receiver on the Honda (7 years' ago), they installed a separate bulb in the tail lights.  At the time, we had all functionality: turns, running, and brake lights.  However, within the past 2-3 years, the light does not come on when the brakes are pushed.  I replaced the "converter" box connected to the inside of the bumper, whose wires go to the 5-pin receiver on the rear end of the coach, thinking that would solve the problem, but no change.  Since I use a Brake Buddy, when the coach decelerates enough to activate the auxiliary brake, the regular brakes on the Honda do light up. 

The harness that plugs in to the 5 pin receiver "necks" down to a 4-pin plug that inserts into the front of the Honda.  However, I am fairly certain that we initially had toad brake lights for the first few years.

I have had auto mechanics "look" it over, but none really wanted to delve into it, once they realized that separate wires and  bulbs had been installed.  Both bulbs work fine for the turn signals and running lights.

I am open to all suggestions, however, I am fairly "electrically challenged".  I do know how to use some aspects of my digital volt meter, but not all.

Re: No Toad Brake Lights

Reply #1 –
Don,
Make sure you have lights off and take a small screwdriver or even a pen knife and spread the pins in the connectors at the front of the honda.  Also do it on the motorhome end.  Check and make sure you have power on each circuit at the socket on the motorhome (you should have a helper to do this, but it can be done alone).  Then the other end of the cord where it plugs into the car.  If that does not help, my next guess troubleshooting area would be the grounds, inparticular, the light socket end.  If you still don't have lights after all that, I would be checking the connections in the connectors/sockets. 
 

Re: No Toad Brake Lights

Reply #2 –
If you do not have one, get a 12V test light.  Have some one step on the MH brakes and verify that you have power to the wire that supplies the extra lights.  If that works, then follow the path to the bulb.  Conversely you could work your way back from the bulb to the connector on the MH.  I did not like adding the extra bulb to my truck so I just used one of those magnetic sets of brake lights.