You will need a converter kit like this, if you don't want to splice all the wires:
So it looks like I’m splicing. I need to do things quick. Any instructions on which wire I should splice to which and where said wire would be?
The kit has some split adapters to tap the brake lights and blinkers without cutting any wires, but you can do the same thing manually with typical auto-splice connectors. The kit also comes with a power booster to make the trailer lights brighter, but I didn't use it on mine because I found just buying LED light-bulbs for the trailer and replacing the incandescent bulbs worked just as well without putting a big power load on the rear lights themselves. You basically have to take the rear trunk floor apart and the side plastic panels to get to those wires on each side for the tail-lights.
The thing i am looking for is where the wires that is need to connect to are and how to get to them. I take it there is no factory pre wiring and i need to use a 5-4 adaptor. So left & right blinkers, brake, headlights, and ground (which can be anywhere on the frame). The ground is likely easy, but finding the other four is likely a bit complicatedThe kit has some split adapters to tap the brake lights and blinkers without cutting any wires, but you can do the same thing manually with typical auto-splice connectors. The kit also comes with a power booster to make the trailer lights brighter, but I didn't use it on mine because I found just buying LED light-bulbs for the trailer and replacing the incandescent bulbs worked just as well without putting a big power load on the rear lights themselves. You basically have to take the rear trunk floor apart and the side plastic panels to get to those wires on each side for the tail-lights.
I don't have the old wiring diagram that came with my kit, but you only need a common ground to the frame, one wire from the left and right blinkers and a brake light wire to splice into. Basically, you'll need a plug and cable with the colors labeled as to which goes to which.
I ran my wire harness through the already existing but plugged with a rubber stopper middle hole in the rear trunk, so it comes out in the rear air diffuser, then run along to the hitch itself.
The thing I am looking for is wire location and how to get to them. Normally there is a video for a given model, but none for the leaf (of any year) that I can find,or even anything written anywhere (unless someone knows where such might be) so this is effectively exploratory surgery. It seems my best hope is to find the various lights, and look for the wires trailing from them. The leaf like most newer cars needs a 5-4 adaptor, so I need to find the left & right blinkers, brake, headlight (night) and ground (which is anywhere on the frame and therefore pretty easy). I’ll just have to basically take the entire back end of the vehicle apart looking for them. Highly frustrating.The kit has some split adapters to tap the brake lights and blinkers without cutting any wires, but you can do the same thing manually with typical auto-splice connectors. The kit also comes with a power booster to make the trailer lights brighter, but I didn't use it on mine because I found just buying LED light-bulbs for the trailer and replacing the incandescent bulbs worked just as well without putting a big power load on the rear lights themselves. You basically have to take the rear trunk floor apart and the side plastic panels to get to those wires on each side for the tail-lights.
I don't have the old wiring diagram that came with my kit, but you only need a common ground to the frame, one wire from the left and right blinkers and a brake light wire to splice into. Basically, you'll need a plug and cable with the colors labeled as to which goes to which.
I ran my wire harness through the already existing but plugged with a rubber stopper middle hole in the rear trunk, so it comes out in the rear air diffuser, then run along to the hitch itself.
Unfortunately, no pre-wiring anywhere. Basically, after taking apart the rear bottom interior, you'll have to manually figure out which wire goes to which blinker light, brake lights, etc. I do remember that most of those wires are on the "left" side when facing the rear and a single wire was needed to reach the right blinkers, so I think most of your splice will take place on the left side.
You can't be too cheap a bastard if you paid someone to put the hitch on
Out of curiosity, what did the hitch and installation cost? TLDNR: what it costYou can't be too cheap a bastard if you paid someone to put the hitch on
However I just looked at the price of the
Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
Item # C56227
$77, not cheap. And I'm sure more than I paid 3 years ago. But it sure was easy to install, unplug the connector to the light, put the Curt connector inline, done.
Eeeeww. Would rubber tape solve that issue? Or is it an electro negativity thing I can’t avoid?
Found it towed fine. Great even. I can use the trailer as a flatbed during the day as long as my car’s tail lights are visible. It’s when I put the sides on or want to use it at night that I’m screwed.
