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ToothlessJoe
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2004
12:54:49
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 Subject: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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I just bought an 04 quad cab Dakota and have already gotten some good info from this site. But I havent been able to find an answer to this - I do not have the towing package but I need to wire up the truck for trailer lights. Where do I connect the plug-in wiring I got from the Dealer? I dont see any possible place it can connect. The parts guy told me he thought it would work, but I noticed the package said it was for the 95-up Ram.
The owners manual was no help either. Thanks.
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AJA
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2004
13:27:42
| RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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I believe it just tees in at both tail lights. I've bought the same kit, but I haven't installed it. It seems to be a "universal" harness for several different models, including Dakota. As a result, there's an extra few feet of wire you're gonna have to ty-wrap up someplace. Just need to find the connectors from the the tail light assemblies to the main harness and plug in. I think it's about 12 or 18 inches from the tail lights, on the frame rails.
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ZenDak
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2004
15:21:38
| RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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I have one of those kits on my '01 Dakota - works well - and very simple. Like AJA said it just tees in between the harnesses for the rear tail lights.
Cost a few dollars at autozone, and takes about five minutes to connect.
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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2004
10:08:29
|  RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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If you have the factory version, it also comes with a set of wires that go into the cab (for electric brakes) and a set of wires that go to the engine compartment (with a fuse). There is a relay mounted in the wire harness near the back that will run the trailer lights (brake, turn, running). Evidently the Dodge relay that runs the tail lights can be overloaded by the trailer lights.
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AJA
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2004
17:47:55
| RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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There's two different factory harnesses. The cheaper one (#82204641) doesn't have the extra stuff for electric brakes. The instructions state " A HEAVY DUTY FLASHER IS REQUIRED FOR 1997 AND PRIOR WHEN TOWING A TRAILER...DUE TO AN INCREASE IN CURRENT LOAD IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A HEAVY DUTY ELECTRONIC FLASHER BE USED" For 1998 and later (Ram & Dakota), this is not required.
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jEFF b
Dodge Dakota
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2/29/2004
18:03:10
| RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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I CANNOT FIND WHERE TO TIE INTO EXISITING WIRING HARNESS ON MY 04 qUAD CAB DAKOTA
I HAVE LOOKED ALL OVER AND CANNOT FIND ANY PLUGS THAT MATCH
ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED
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R/TBlues
Dodge Dakota
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2/29/2004
18:41:29
| RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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Just crawl under the rear of the truck, grab the wiring harness where it connects to the tail light (either one or both). Then slowly follow the wiring harness down to the frame rail. Just above the bumper on the inside of the frame rail is a rectangular shaped connector. You have to pull it apart. Be careful, it has a locking tab on one side of the connector. It isn't one of those that requires a small screwdriver to unlock. The tab is on the outside of the connector and it is easily pulled back with one hand while you pull the connector apart with the other. Then you do the same on the other side and connect your new trailer harness in between the existing connector.
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dwh
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2004
12:48:23
| RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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I'm in the same boat. I crawled under my 2004, and the only plug from the wiring harness I could find was to the licence plate lights on the bumper. The traced the wiring harness from the lights back and could not find a plug, I went as far as infront of the spare tire before giving up and trying the board here. So has anyone actually solved this dilema, and yes I'm kicking myself for not insisting on having it done by the dealer. Although the hitch itself was a piece of cake to install.
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2004
13:58:03
|  RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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Hi i just went through this on my 04 Dakota,The factory wiring harness has to be soldered into each taillight.as per instructions that came with the harness for the Dakota.
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Timberwolf
GenIII
3/25/2004
14:18:50
| RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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If you can't use a T, just find the + wire to the brake, left turn, right turn, tail light and one ground wire (or ground to frame)and use wire taps(available at autoparts store or hardware). It's a little more work than a kit, but costs around $5 to do. You don't even have to do any cutting, the taps pierce the wire for you. Should only take about 15-20 minutes. I've been doing it this way for eons and it works like a charm. You may have to use an adaptor with amber turn signals, but those are generic and still cheaper than a factory kit. I know I had to use one on my wife's van, but can't remember on the truck.
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tel
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2004
16:09:48
| RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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If your trailer has to many lights, it will keep blowing the fuse, and can destroy the the light switch.
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dwh
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2004
16:47:43
|  RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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Thanks for the info, I know how to install the Generic type, but was hoping for an easier plug and play type. Was not aware of the soldering required for the factory setup so will visit my local Auto store. Thanks again for the quick info!
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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3/26/2004
07:58:36
| RE: Is there a plug-in for trailer lights?
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Tel
The problem with blowing a fuse with too many lights on a trailer was with earlier models of Dakota,It should not be a problem on the 2004.
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