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Nevadastars's avatar
Nevadastars
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013

Need help wiring Sidekick for flat towing

I figured this would be easy, but it's got me puzzled. My 97 Suzuki Sidekick already has a hitch and 4 flat plug. So, I assumed I could just run another 4 flat plug underneath it, plug it in and be done, I was wrong. After getting everything wired up and plugged in, I have running lights, but no turn or brake lights. It has the splitter box that early Japanese vehicles with separate running and signal lights need.

I am getting power, so I assume it needs a ground. Why would the white wire ground the running lights but not the turn/brakes? Any help is appreciated.

10 Replies

  • Ha, you are right! The guy told me they could no longer get the red butt connectors, but here they are....

    http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Performance/Electrical-Wire-Connector/_/N-25oe?filterByKeyWord=red+connector&fromString=search
  • Yea, those diodes had great reviews and were half the price of the Roadmaster diodes, so it was a no brainer. I was trying to find red but connectors at the local AutoZone when I was making up the four flat plug, they they said they cannot get them anymore. I thought that was kind of weird since I have been using them for years. I will go to Napa and see if they have red females. I have a bunch of blue male/female connectors, but no red.
  • Those diodes will work.
    You may need to get "red" 1/4 inch female connectors. The wire in the Suzuki is smaller then the "blues" will properly crimp to.
    Suggest putting electrical grease on the wires prior to crimping.
    I also instelled the diodes in the tailight harness not in the main harness. When you pull the tailight, you will see a harness connector about 12 inches from tailight assembly.
  • Fireup, thanks for the help, but I decided not to keep the converter as I wont be towing anything with the Suzuki since I have a Ram 2500 as well. So, I will be wiring it like the second link enbethlen suggested. I wasn't sure on the diodes and ordered some from Amazon last night like these....

  • Nevadastars,
    You have been given some good advice and, some diagrams that may work just fine for you. I would like to offer another alternative if I may. Now, you say in your original write up that, you have "separate running and signals lights" correct? I'm assuming you mean, you have a running light, a brake light and, an "amber" turn signal on the back of your toad, correct?

    If your coach is a "two filament" system, that is, a running light and, a "combo" brake and turn light, (no amber turn signals), then yes, IF you want your toad lights to be wired in such a manor that the lights on the toad act exactly the same towing it, as they do driving it, then yes, you will need a "tail light converter". And, like Mr. enblethen suggests, you will need the "two wire to three wire converter. They are simple to install and serve a very specific purpose. They will allow for a "combo" system, like what's on your coach, to activate a non-combo system, like what's on your toad.

    Those little boxes are amazing. But, they work and, that's all you care about. I'm going to send along, another wiring diagram that I drew up just after wiring one of our recent toads, a 2011 Honda CRV. You'll have another choice in the way you can wire it. The diodes I used are not the expensive ones from Camping World or any RV supply outlet. I used some from Radio Shack, a three pack for about $2.89. A diode is a diode so, you an pay a lot or, not much at all.

    On our CRV, it has the "three filament system" with amber turn signals and, when towing it, and the lights are activated, it looks just like it does when driving it.
    Scott

  • Ok, I will toss the Hoppy out. It was installed by the previous owner and I have no reason to tow with the Suzuki. Thanks again, you have been very helpful.
  • Correction:
    You need this diagram.
    Correct
    drawing

    The Hoppy unit is to tow a trailer withe Suzuki. It has diodes that prevent the combined signal backfeeding through the filaments of the trailer lights.
    The second diagram using the diodes connects right at the Sidekick lights. Closer to the lamps the better.
  • Yes, red signals in the MH. Thanks for the diagram, I will give it a shot! I appreciate the help. Oh, and the converter is a Hoppy, but has no model number on it.
  • Your MHs ground needs to be connected to the ground adjacent to the battery in the Suzuki.
    You need to put in some diodes to block the MHs power from going back into the Suzuki's system.
    You converter may need the same ground. What is make and model of the converter?
    I am guessing you have red turn signals on MH. The converter should be a two to three not a three to two.
    I installed the converter on the back of MH. Then ran four conductor to the rear of the Suzuki into the void behind the tailights.
    This is the way I did mine:Roadmaster diagram

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