[Miata] Trailer lights - splicing wires - Done!!!

Tue Apr 17 19:20:09 CDT 2007

Sort of what I did on mine, the only suggestion I might make is to run the ground wire to the battery.  My adaptor box had a 2 ft harness on it so I just flipped it out of the trunk when I needed it.

Larry

White Knight      1991 Crystal White   #99 CSP
Silver Bullet        1992 Silverstone     #17 SM2  FM I+ Turbo
Honey B             1992 Sunburst Yellow
Whooosh           2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5

LowCountry Miata  http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net
Masters Miata
RAGS 074
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Luis 
  To: miata at fotoveloce.com ; 'NoGood' 
  Cc: 'Miata List' ; 'no To-header on input' 
  Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 8:16 PM
  Subject: Re: [Miata] Trailer lights - splicing wires - Done!!!

  The trailer lights are wired now. But, I did not use the Scotch locks and I did not cut the factory wiring. J

  Miatas require an adaptor box, which requires power and ground in addition to the wiring from the lights. I decided to mount the box behind the trim panel at the back, closer to the taillights.

  1)       For power, I routed the wire to the battery terminal. 

  2)       For the ground lead, I connected to an existing ground screw near the trunk latch, behind the trim panel

  The box uses the lights as a signal only (as far as I know) as the power for the trailer lights comes from the battery power lead. 

  So, what I did was this:

  3)       I stripped a thinner wire about ¾ of an inch. 

  4)       Pulled the factory connector off the tail-light

  5)       Slid the thin wire into the female spade connector

  6)       Bent the end in a "U" and fed it back through the other "barrel" of the spade connector. 

  7)       Then plugged the factory connector back in

  8)       I spliced the thin wire to the (thicker) wire from the adaptor box.

  9)       I did this for each signal; one from the left tail light (left turn), three from the right (brake, tail, right turn).

  I tucked the box in behind the trim panel and left the connector sticking out from behind the panel. 

  Now when I need trailer lights, I plug in a 2.5 foot extension inside the trunk and run it out the under the trunk lid.

  Satisfied with the results (they work), I plan to go back in and solder all my splices and cover them with shrink tube.

  Thanks for everyone's input!

  Luis

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  From: miata-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:miata-bounces at realbig.com] On Behalf Of MX5 Photographer
  Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 10:13 AM
  To: NoGood
  Cc: no To-header on input; Miata List
  Subject: Re: [Miata] Trailer lights - splicing wires

  NoGood wrote: 

  Use the Scotchlocks, there is no reason they won't do the job as long and you make sure you squeeze them completely. 

  Let's see, except for the corrosion factor and the fact that they work their way loose and you will constantly be trying to find the loose wire &/or get stopped by your local constable for a discussion about why your trailer lights aren't working. :) 

  Yeap.   Don't use those damn things.  Cut the wire, splice and heat-shirk or better yet cut splice with solder and heat shrink over them.   Those damn locks are really bad news.  The person that came up with that idea should be forced to chase down electrical problems in Jaguars for the rest of their lives.

  As far as trailer wires in Miata.  When I was towing with mine I stuffed the 'converter' module behind the trim in the trunk.  To get the signals (ok.. power for the lights) I just cut into the harness, I think on the driver side, or whichever side the harness runs down, and did all the splices in the same spot, put heat-shrink over the connections, then taped the harness back up.  If I still had it, I'd take photos.  Worked great, never had trailer lighting problems.  For running the pigtail I left it inside the trunk near the battery, and just ran it out the back of the trunk when I needed to tow.  No holes drilled in the car.  Hell, even the hitch bolted up via existing holes! :)

-- - DavidKitsap County, WA+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+| Photos: http://fotoveloce.smugmug.com    |  Motorsports Photography  || Autos: http://964-Carerra.blogspot.com   | http://www.fotoveloce.com |+------------------------------------------+---------------------------+

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