Toad Power Connection

traveler of california · 05-29-2012, 11:53 AM

After several years, my toad power connection does not seem to work. I've tried two cords and this is what I get.

Operates the left blinker
Operates the right blinker
Does not operate the brake lights

All of these work on each vehicle independently so I'm at a loss as it does not appear to be a vehicle issue or a power cord issue. I've checked the connection ports and there don't appear to be any loose wires.

Help!

Nick

HD4Mark · 05-29-2012, 01:11 PM

It is almost always a corrosion problem on one of the connections. One time with ours even though I could read 12V on the connector, the brake lights would not work on the toad. Some sandpaper and a little time fixed it. You can buy little LED testers that plug into the flat 4 prong female cable ends for about $5 at Harbor Freight.

You may also have a trailer brake light fuse on the RV depending on the model. Good luck! Trailer lights are a PIA.

Dave78Chief · 05-29-2012, 01:37 PM

2001 Journey is on a Frieghtliner DP chassis. Most likely You have to find the Tow Control PDM box. Used to isolate the tow vehicle from coach circuits so a tow vehicle problem will not prevent coach system from working properly.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f101/no-j...ml#post1179095
There are several example pictures on those pages and links to pages with pictures to assist you.

Set ignition key ON in quiet environment, place either TURN signal ON, then walk around rig till you locate the faint clicking of the PDM relay. Most likely will be hidden behind a false wall in a lower compartment. Access the PDM and see if the brake fuse is blown. Otherwise, the brake circuit relay in the PDM has gone bad.

Dave

FIRE UP · 05-29-2012, 03:14 PM

Travler of California,
The answers you're getting so far are good and most likely one them will help you. One more thing to think about. In order to help analyze this situation we might like to know some details of each unit. That is, does your coach have a "two filament" system in the rear lights? That is, are there only "Red" lenses back there?

Second, do you utilize the factory bulbs for your toads lights when towing? If so, does your toad have a two or three filament system? That is, are there only red lenses back there or, is there an amber lens too?

You see, depending on who wired it, (the total towing setup) and, how it was done and, what types of lighting you have, you might have a "converter" box that's interpreting signals from the coach and changing them around so that your toads lights do what they're supposed to. That converter box, has a very definite job of deceminating between turn signals and brake lights. If, you've got one, it's possible that box went bad. Just an idea.

Just as an example. We have an '04 Itasca Horizon with a two filament light system and the toad we have is a brand new, 2011 Honda CR-V with a three filament system. I wanted to utilize the Hondas tail light bulbs for toad lights. So, I had to install a converter box so the turn signals, brake lights and even the third brake light on the Honda, all worked correctly as we were traveling down the road with CR-V in tow.

From behind, that CR-V looks like some one's driving it, based on how all the lights work.

Anyway, just something to think about. Hope you get it fixed.
Scott

FIRE UP · 05-30-2012, 07:48 PM

Hello! Are you there? Did you figure it out? What was the answer?
Scott

traveler of california · 05-30-2012, 09:28 PM

No, haven't yet. It has not been a good week as the MoHo is now at a truck center for some significant repairs to correct a condition that resulted in the rig having difficulty climbing grades. Will get details tomorrow.

Then I will have to deal with the "minor" toad connection issue.

Nick

traveler of california · 06-05-2012, 05:41 PM

Looks like a converter box. Thanks for all of the replies.

Nick

FIRE UP · 06-05-2012, 09:56 PM

Nick,

Well Sir, glad you found the culprit. Can you confirm? This is interesting to me because I have one. it doesn't mean mine will quit anytime soon but, I just like to know how well they perform over the years.
Scott

traveler of california · 06-06-2012, 10:04 AM

Will do, I'm going to get to it on Saturday. Busy week.

Nick

FIRE UP · 06-06-2012, 11:11 AM

Nick,
Roger that Sir, take your time, I'll keep an eye out for your responce.
Scott

Dave78Chief · 06-06-2012, 01:38 PM

When you say converter box, do you mean something like a 3 wire to 4 wire Stop/Tail/Turn converter module or something else?

Dave

FIRE UP · 06-06-2012, 06:58 PM

Dave,
I don't know how much you know about "converter boxes" but, there's at least a half dozen out there in the RV-towing world. I explained one of them in my previous post to the OP. It's the one I'm using. This is the one I have:

Vehicle to Vehicle Taillight Converter Tow Ready Accessories and Parts 118158

If you have a two filament RV, that is only red tail light lens's back there and, like the OP and myself, I have a 2011 Honda CR-V and it has separate turn signals from the brake lights so, it's called a "three filament system". So, now you need a CONVERTER that handles the combo brake/turn signal going into the box but, on the output side, it's separated into a brake light and a turn signal on two different wires. That way you get to use the original lights of your toad. By the way, it's called a "2 wire to three" wire and the ground on the input side does not count.

You may have already knew this but, I thought I'd throw it at ya just in case you didn't .
Scott

Dave78Chief · 06-06-2012, 07:48 PM

Thanks for the reply Scott. I am familure with them. I just wanted to confirm that a 2 to 3 or 3 to 2 wire converter is was what was being reffered to.

Dave

FIRE UP · 06-08-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave78Chief

Thanks for the reply Scott. I am familure with them. I just wanted to confirm that a 2 to 3 or 3 to 2 wire converter is was what was being reffered to.

Dave

This probably doesn't need to be said but, the "3 wire to 2 wire" is for the exact opposite situation. That converter is way more available than the 2 wire to 3 wire and, many parts counter people will think, it's what you need instead of the 2 wire to 3 wire. And, I've even almost argued with them because they "thought" that's what I REALLY needed. I calmly explained the system to them and they saw the "light" so to speak. Just thought I'd throw this at ya.
Scott

traveler of california · 06-09-2012, 08:36 PM

Scott, Put the new converter box on today and all is well.

FIRE UP · 06-09-2012, 11:53 PM

Roger that Sir.
That's great. Glad you got if figured out and came up with the remedy. Now, You can go on with life, and or other issues you may have. Or, head out and use that setup and enjoy life.
Scott

lalj621 · 06-13-2012, 08:19 AM

no power on 2004 winnebago vectra model ad

please help, my husband is so stressed because high winds and unable to put in the awning

traveler of california · 06-13-2012, 10:59 AM

Is your question regarding toad power or coach power?

Nick

FIRE UP · 06-13-2012, 02:31 PM

Well,
Base on her post saying "no power" and the awning won't retract, I'd guess that there's no power to the electric awning. Depending on certain circumstances, she should or could, have a "Weatherpro" awning control in the basement compartment, just behind the right front wheel. There is a fuse in there too. Not sure if this helps or, if it's the problem she's (him too) having.
Scott