Need help w/ '03 Sequoia Trailer Light Wiring!!!

[DaJudge]

Hi-

I just bought a used '03 SR5 Sequoia this week. It doesn't have the tow factory option. I was planning on just getting an aftermarket Class III hitch and a wiring kit. I had done this on my '99 Trooper and it was a very basic "plug-n-play" type of arrangement with the trailer connector plugging into a wiring harness that was under a grommet behind the rear driver's wheel well.

Apparently, this may not be so simple with '03 and newer Sequoias. I'm having some real trouble trying to figure out the right way to do the trailer lights on this Sequoia. Seems like the simple plug-in, 4-connector assembly (like those from Draw-Tite or Hoppy) show that they're for 2001-02 models only.

I crawled underneath and spotted some wiring connections (4 on one connector, 3 on the other) that are plugged into a plastic deal that's mounted ahead of the rear bumper and slightly to the drivers side. Is the plastic thing just a device they've used to anchor the connectors or is it something else?

I called a local hitch shop. They referred me to the Toyota dealer. The guy at the Toyota parts desk had no clue as to what I needed to do about this.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Sanchez]

If I am correct the Seq. has all the needed wiring even if it did not come with a tow package.
On my 2001 -Under the rear bumper (driver side) there is a CONNECTOR that is plugged into a Plastic Holder. I guess similar to what your explaining. There is a clip that you press to unplug/disconnect this.
Then you can simply plug this into a Wiring Harnes and that harness should plug into the trailer.
I got my Hitch and wiring from E-Trailer
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...egory_Code=VWH

[-=tg=-]

This is a WAG, but since the Sequioa supports a full 7-pin harness, I suspect that the 4-wire is the standard 4, and the 3-wire is for the other three.

Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler?

[DaJudge]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to try to take and post a photo of the connection in question.

If it's indeed for trailer lights, a simple 4-plug kit from Draw-Tite or Hoppy should do the trick. That would be sweeeeeet.

[DaJudge]

Here's one with the connector still plugged in.




And another with it unplugged



Both photos are taken from underneath.

Thanks for all your help!!

[Sanchez]

YUP thats the one I was talking about...
Just plug in the wire harness and your ready!
Like I said I purchased one from ETrailer.com.
Cheap, fast and just a plug and play..
I was aboout to take a photo of the same thing.

[DaJudge]

Excellent. Thanks again for your help with this.

[DaJudge]

Well, I got the Draw-Tite trailer wiring harness in today.

Unfortunately, the connector on the harness doesn't match the plug on the 2003 Sequoia. It's smaller and the leads don't line up. I did a bit of surgery on the harness connector and I'm hoping that I can get it to work. Maybe I'll just have to remove both connectors and attach the wires to the 4 leads that come to the plug on the vehicle.

On top of that, I ordered a Hidden Hitch from J.C. Whitney a couple days ago. It shipped very quickly (direct from the factory), but the warehouse guys at Hidden Hitch pulled and sent me one for a Suburban. At least JCW customer service was nice about it. They re-ordered the right hitch and e-mailed me a return shipping label for FedEx Ground.

[sgt schultz]

I have the exact same problem with my '03 Sequoia I bought w/o trailer tow package. Short version of the story involved a couple of hours at the dealership with service writers, parts counter and the shop supervisor before a p/n for the harness was identified and ordered. I forget how much but it seemed very expensive.

Your dealer can order a harness if they can figure out the p/n (same as Tundra) or you should be able to tie in with what you have already purchased. I will see if I can dig up the number if you want to purchase the harness. You may still have issues though - after I got the proper harness from the dealer and a hitch installed, I borrowed a buddies trailer and found out that the tail lights do not work, turn and brake lights are fine. I found the pin for the tail light was dead. I started checking for blown/missing fuses and found that a couple of relays are missing from one of the fuse boxes under the hood. Open the smallest of the 3 fuse boxes under the hood and see if it appears a couple of relays are missing. There is a label on the underside of the lid to the box to help you.

I am trying to find out how to ID and get the proper relay to install. The mystery continues...

UPDATE: 9/23 - Ordered a relay, Toyota PN: 9008087010, to hopefully provide power to trailer tail lights. Will post again once I try it out.

[sgt schultz]

Update. The relay did the trick. Good luck.

[Denhunter]

Does anyone know if the 2004 is the same part number? I am at my wit's end with this. The dealer knows nothing, says that I need a wiring harness that runs from the block to the rear bumper. Electrician says that the plug and play harness for the 2001-2002 (and 2004 Tundra, by the way) has different fittings, and can't get it to connect...what a stupid way to run a railroad...wish they had told me that it was this much trouble to add-on when I bought the SUV...grr...

[sgt schultz]

One trick I learned in looking for the relay to make the trailer running lights work - find the same vehicle with the wiring harness installed and get the VIN. If your dealer will cooperate, they can look-up all the parts installed on that vehicle and find the part you need.

I agree, pretty rediculous way to run an operation.

I would be willing to bet that if you were buying a new vehicle and asked them to install a hitch and wiring, they would sure find the parts.