Suzuki Equator Forum

When I first got my Equator I installed a class III trailer hitch by Valley, which I had ordered with a four pin/post wiring harness that was supposed to plug directly into the factory connector under the truck and supply lights to my trailer.
The hitch install was a snap and the Valley hitch almost disappears under the truck although it is a good looking hitch made from the round as opposed to the square tubing. It took about 15 minutes to install. I then plugged in the four pin/post wiring harness as shown in the directions and routed the wire as directed. Voila! 15 minutes later I was done.
The following week I hooked up the boat for a trip down to the launch and...voila! turn signals and brake lights but no running lights and the turn signals and brakes activated all the lights on the trailer, even the clearance lights on the front and sides
After a little research I discovered that you have to install some relays in order for the lights to work properly. No problem, buy the relays and install them in the under-the-hood fuse/relay box, right? Wrong! There's no empty spot to put them, turns out you have to buy a special "pig tail" which installs under the plastic trim on the front passenger side of the foot well in the truck.
The instructions that come with the pigtail are barely visible so I thought I'd take some pictures and explain the process for anyone else who may want to do this upgrade.
The first thing you have to do is remove the sill plate cover on the front passenger door. (Be careful, there are sensors located in here designed to trigger the airbag.) Pull up/out on the trim at both ends. You don't need any tools just use your fingers. If the little white tabs stay in the bottom of the door pull them off and reinstall them on the sill trim.

Next remove the plastic trim in the foot well. First pull off the black plastic fastener that attaches to the floor, then gently pull off the trim. Again, you don't need tools just gentle persuasion with your fingers.
Now take the pig tail and the three relays you bought and assemble them as described in the directions. You use all three relays if you have a manual transmission and only two if you have the automatic. The following pictures show the assembly of the pig tail. My Equator's an auto so I only used the brown and one of the blue relays. The plug with the white tape on it is used for the third relay if you have a standard, otherwise leave it empty.
The relays have to be wrapped with foam tape. I'd recommend partially exposing the adhesive tape and sticking the relays in place before you completely remove the paper backing on the adhesive tape.
This is what your pigtail should look like all wrapped up. Note the extra relay, because I have an automatic. Now you have to plug this into the wiring harness in the truck. It was a bit tricky to find the empty socket in mine. This picture shows where it was although you can't see it, it is located behind all the wires and sockets you can see. I've put a circle on the photo to show where it was. Once you find the socket, just plug in your pig tail and find a place to put the foam wrapped relays. In my truck they fit behind the existing wiring. Secure the pig tail with the included wire ties and reassemble the trim exactly opposite to how you took it apart and you're done.
I also purchased a small test light that plugs into the 4 pin/post trailer connector at the back of the truck to test the set-up. It's a lot easier than using a meter or hooking up to your trailer. They're about three bucks at your local auto parts store.

Attached Images

	Wiring Harness.JPG (214.6 KB, 12 views)
	CIMG0008.JPG (742.3 KB, 10 views)
	CIMG0003.JPG (712.2 KB, 10 views)
	CIMG0010.JPG (749.8 KB, 6 views)
	Harness Cover.JPG (197.0 KB, 9 views)

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2009 Suzuki Equator JX Radiant Silver
2007 Suzuki XL7 Limited Cobalt Blue
There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.

I just bought an 09 Equator and shortly thereafter bought a little tri-hull bass boat to scoot around the lake with setting trot and jug lines. I found that when I called Suzuki parts and asked for the harness they were on national backorder for about the next 3 months. Next I called Nissan and got the exact same parts for the same price as Suzuki (ask for it as a 09 Nissan Frontier part). However, when I bought the harness from the dealership it came with two pigtails, one for the trailer hookup and the relay pigtail as well for $51. Those directions that come with the harnesses are indeed poor. They've apparently been photocopied a half million times and stuffed in with the harnesses.

Kerry in Dallas

Thanks, I've since installed a 7 pole trailer harness through the bumper. It's a lot neater looking.

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2009 Suzuki Equator JX Radiant Silver
2007 Suzuki XL7 Limited Cobalt Blue
There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.

This is great info. I recently purchased a new Equator with hitch and rear wiring installed. It has the 7 pin round connector with leads going to a pair of connectors on the frame rail. In the glove box was the wire harness and relays with no instructions. I didn't even know what it was. I will have to pull the panel back to see if an assembly is already installed. I doubt it. Mine is automatic also.

Rick

You should consider mounting your 7 pin connector through the bumper. It makes a nice clean install. I have a seperate thread showing that install. Called: Installing the 4 or 7 pin trailer plug.
Good luck and welcome to the site!
Andy

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2009 Suzuki Equator JX Radiant Silver
2007 Suzuki XL7 Limited Cobalt Blue
There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.

So the 7 pin harness that's offered by Suzuki doesn't include the pigtail? Many of the 7 pin connectors have different outer housings. I like the type ambenisar used. Who makes this one? Nice looking set up and installation.

This particular set up comes straight from Nismo. I purchased through Courtesy Nissan on-line. Good price and quick delivery.

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2009 Suzuki Equator JX Radiant Silver
2007 Suzuki XL7 Limited Cobalt Blue
There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.

Thanks for the info ambenisar. Hitch & connector, spray on bed liner, and fog lights are the first 3 add ons I'm researching. We tow a small Coleman tent trailer. Hope to have some pics soon of our new Glacier White Extended Cab - Premium. Just got it last week.