06 accessory wiring memo

[vinconco]

While buying a ARE utility top recently, the dealer (ARE) refused to wire the brake and courtesy lights in my 06 3500. They gave me a copy of a memo sent to them by one of their vendors –TAKE 3 TRAILERS, INC of Brenham, TX 979. 337. 9568. The following is a transcription of the memo:



MEMO TO ALL TAKE 3 DEALERS



RE: 2006 DODGE TRUCKS



Please carefully read the attached memo from Daimler-Chrysler. It concerns the new 2006 Dodge trucks.



The term “improperly installed” MEANS ANY INSTALLATION”. Dodge no longer has the standard fuse system. They have one module that will go out any time a fuse would normally blow. The only “proper installation” is using a plug into the factory trailer plug (of course if it’s used for anything besides the trailer, then you no longer have bumper into the bed because you have to splice a wire. )



Special precautions must be taken by your customers. If there is a SHORT in a trailer (any trailer), it will most likely blow the modules. These cost $600 to repair and Chrysler has said it is owner’s responsibility.



Daimler-Chrysler states that all installations must go through “authorized service centers. ” However, they have the same restrictions. They cannot cut or splice into any wire on the truck, and they will not be responsible if a trailer has a short and blows the module on the truck.



SECOND ISSUE: Any trailer (including Take 3) that has LED lights. If the trailer is hooked to a 2006 Dodge (through the factory plug), the “check engine” light will come on and stay on. The LED’s do not pull enough amps to make the plug register correctly. Your customers will assume the trailer is the problem because the light goes out when it is unplugged. Of course, if the light stays on all of the time, the customer has no way of knowing if he REALLY has a problem.



We are currently working with SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association) legal staff to see what can be done regarding this. They are aware of this and other warranty issues that the manufacturers are failing to fulfill.



Currently, our company will not install any auxiliary light or plugs on 2006 Dodge trucks. We are referring them to the local Dodge dealers. We are working in-house on a “work around” system that may allow for some installations but until then, the liability of doing work on these trucks is too high.



2007 Longwood Dr. *Brenham, Tx 77833

979. 337. 9568 * 979. 337. 9122 fax * 866. 428. 2533

www.take3trailers.com

 

[TowPro]

there have been several threads on this. IN 06 they no longer fuse the trailer turn/brake wires between the PCM and trailer connectors.



Myself and several others have wired up a reese adaptor that connects between the factory 7 pin plug and the factory harness, we use this to "T" in the extra connector into the bed for 5th wheel towing. We have cut into this "T" and added fuses on the trailer turn/brake wires that protect both the bed connector as well as the factory connector. This way if you connect to a trailer with a short, the fuses we added blow and not the PCM.



I used to work for the company that writes the electrical sections for DC, I still have a friend who works there. We checked this out on the 05 and 06 drawings and had discussions with the engineers, yes it changed for 06! Now I do not use the factory 4 pin because its not protected by my fuses, I just use the old 7 pin to 4 pin adaptor that came with my 02.



Did DC make a mistake doing this? I think so, but until they fix it, or start paying for PCM's they don't think its a problem.

 

[Doughboy21kd]

I don't completly understand? I have a raider canopy and they tapped in at the trailer wiring harness underneath the truck for the 12v lighting inside the canopy and also tapped in down there for the 3rd brake light in the back of the canopy... ...



Also as far as the trailer goes, all my trailers have L. E. D lights in them and not once has my engine light come on... . Everything works just fine and normal...

 

[vinconco]

I stopped by the dealer (5 star) just as they were closing and talked to a service rep about this. They knew about the problem but said none of their mechanics knew enough about wiring to hook up the lights in my top. My look of stunned disbelief must have jogged his memory a little because he then remembered about a connector that DC sells that plugs in between the harness and the trailer plug with adapters for cap lighting and brake lights. The parts dept was closed so I didn't get to buy it yet. If I can get this part I will post the part #. If anyone else knows this part # please post it so I can avoid the hassle of explaining it to parts dept.



thanks

 

[klenger]

This would work: http://www.klenger.net/dodge/7-pin-connector-installation/index.html

 

[Oblander]

Towpro, What Amp fuses do you install in the T-harness? Hard to believe that Dodge would not have a fused system for the trailer wiring. I will stop and pick up a T-harness today. Just want to make sure that the fuses go before the module.

 

[TowPro]

I think I put a 10amp on each turn light. If you look at Klengers drawing link, I cut the turn/brake wires right after the connector that his B arrow points at. I soldered in these water proof in line fuse holders that take the small blade fuses ($4. 00 at walmart) inline into the turn/brake wires. I had to splice other wires because the reese "T" is only a 4 wire output and I needed 7. The fuses protect both the wires coming out of the "T" as well as the factory 7pin connector. the factory 4 pin is spliced into the wire harness before the Reese "T" so its not protected. I just use a 7 pin to 4 pin adaptor that I plug into the factory 7 pin when I only need a 4 pin trailer connector.



I have not looked at the drawings for a couple months, but I think only the Turn/Brake wires are not protected by a fuse in the 06.



If you use the factory tow to wire in the high mount stop light on a cap, keep in mind it will flash with the turn signal depending on which wire you use. I thought there was a wire run somewhere under the truck just for the addition of a cap High mount stop light?

Towpro, What Amp fuses do you install in the T-harness? Hard to believe that Dodge would not have a fused system for the trailer wiring. I will stop and pick up a T-harness today. Just want to make sure that the fuses go before the module.

 

[vinconco]

klenger;

I looked at the link and it looks a lot like what is already on the truck. There is a 4 pin connector pigtail built into the harness just before it plugs into the the trailer plug on my 06. The 4 pin connector as described in the owners manual has leads for Right stop/turn, left stop/turn, park and ground. I do not see a lead that always stays hot for the courtesy light that I would have in my ARE utility cap.



Also, according to the memo I posted above there is no traditional fuse for the tow circuit. I looked under the hood and found the fuse box and there is a 20A fuse for "trailer park lamps" and a 30a fuse for "trailer tow". Now I am confused. Can anyone explain this?



thanks



Steve

 

[klenger]

Use the battery charge wire for the courtesy light. I do not show any fueses in my drawings because I did the mod on my 04. 5 truck, which has a full complememt of fuses already installed.

 

[vinconco]

Klenger;

To tap into the "battery" wire you must make a splice and that is the catch. No splices on the 06's. I don't see a "battery" line in my 4 pin connector. I know that anyone with basic elec. knowledge can make this work but the point here is to avoid having to pay for a $600. module by voiding the warranty with an unauthorized "splice". I don't think the no splice rule applies to any other models prior to 06.

 

[seemore]

Vinconco,



Please fill out your user profile when you get a minute so we know what kind of truck you have.



On my 2006 Ram there is a small wire under the back of the truck that is factory wired for the High Mounted Brake Light. It comes out of the wiring harness for the trailer tow package. My dealer hooked it up there. I ran a 10 gauge wire from the battery back myself and protected it with a 20 amp breaker or you could fuse it for whatever gauge wire you use.

 

[KennethS]

When I installed the lights on the front of my 06 truck

Here what I done. I mounted the lights and hook up the ground wire then went down to the dealer and ask the service mgr. where to hook up the hot wire. They showed me how to trip the fuze box and lift it up and the they splice It on a gray and white wire. I thank them and drove off. They are good to help me when I need It. Between you fellows and them I keep my head above water most of the time. :-laf

 

[klenger]

Klenger;

To tap into the "battery" wire you must make a splice and that is the catch. No splices on the 06's. I don't see a "battery" line in my 4 pin connector. I know that anyone with basic elec. knowledge can make this work but the point here is to avoid having to pay for a $600. module by voiding the warranty with an unauthorized "splice". I don't think the no splice rule applies to any other models prior to 06.

Using the scheem shown on my webpage, the splice is actually in the adapter cable, not in the truck harness. Adding a fuse at the splice should reduce the problem of a short causing any problems with the truck's systems. You could skip the whole adpater harness by just plugging into the 7 pin connector directly, but then you wouldn't have anything the plug a trailer into when you tow. Even this could be fixed by fabricating an external 7 pin to 7 pin extension harness that is used only when you tow.



I find it hard to believe that the battery charge line to the trailer is not fused in the truck on the 06's. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[KennethS]

I have got a lot to learn about this wireing system

I have done a lot of wireing In the past but I got to study about this system. What tha advanage of this wireing system anyway?Any of you bought the repair book from Dodge on the 06. I have one for the 99 but not the 06 as yet. Does the book explain the wireing system?

 

[abrankod]

I dont know which brake connector they're specifying, but in the 2006 dodge upfitter/bodybuilder guide page 8W-91-79 they specify an "aftermarket CHMSL" pigtail near Splice 325. It is on circuit L50 its 18 gauge and the color code is White/Tan. This line is able to supply one 912 11. 6W (ONE AMP @ 12V) bulb. As for other power, I'd get a fused terminal block and run new wires back to be on the safe side.



-Dan

 

[Doughboy21kd]

Just wondering if anyone has read my above post? They installd my Cap and spliced into the trailer wiring harness for the brake light and spliced into the hot wire that charges the trailer battery for the inside cap lights..... everything seems to work just fine..... Should i undo it?... . What happens or how do you know if a module go's out?... . If everything works should i even mess with it?

 

[TowPro]

There is not really a "brake only" wire in the trailer tow harness, does your caps high mount stop flash with one of the turn signals?

 

[Doughboy21kd]

no it does not..... It only comes on when the brake light comes on..... My bad... . I took out the rear taillight and thats wear they tapped in at... . SO is that a problem?

 

[BGott]

have done a lot of wireing In the past but I got to study about this system. What tha advanage of this wireing system anyway?Any of you bought the repair book from Dodge on the 06. I have one for the 99 but not the 06 as yet. Does the book explain the wireing system?

http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/index.html



If you go to this site and look at the lower right corner of the page, there are links to download wiring diagrams.

 

[vinconco]

BGOTT;

Great link. How did you find it on the Dodge site? I know there are more manuals but I cannnot find the links ... .