Trailer Towing Relay: Service and Repair

WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, IMPACT SENSOR, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

CAUTION: Be certain any removed trailer tow relay is replaced with the same relay size and type that was removed.

NOTE: The trailer tow relay bank contains four relays. The service procedures for each relay are the same.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove the trim from the right side quarter inner panel.

Trailer Tow Relay Wrap:

3. Reach through the access hole in the quarter inner panel behind the right rear wheelhouse to locate and retrieve the trailer tow relay connector bank, which is wrapped within a foam rubber envelope and placed on the top of the right rear wheel-house between the quarter inner and outer panels.

CAUTION: Use proper precautions to protect your skin and the rear body wire harness from cuts or scrapes caused by contact with the sharp edges of the quarter inner panel sheet metal while servicing the trailer tow relay connector bank.

4. Pull the trailer tow relay connector bank into the cargo area far enough to access the relays for service.
5. Carefully remove the trailer tow relay connector bank from the foam wrap.

Trailer Tow Relay Remove/Install:

6. Remove the appropriate relay by grasping it firmly and pulling it straight out from the connector bank.

INSTALLATION
1. Position the trailer tow relay to the appropriate connector in the connector bank.
2. Align the relay terminals with the receptacles in the connector.
3. Push firmly and evenly on the top of the relay until the terminals are fully seated in the connector.
4. Carefully restore the foam wrap around the trailer tow relay connector bank.

CAUTION: Use proper precautions to protect your skin and the rear body wire harness from cuts or scrapes caused by contact with the sharp edges of the quarter inner panel sheet metal while servicing the trailer tow relay connector bank.

5. Reach through the access hole in the quarter inner panel behind the right rear wheelhouse to place the relay connector bank on the top of the right rear wheelhouse between the quarter inner and outer panels.
6. Reinstall the trim onto the right side quarter inner panel.
7. Reconnect the battery negative cable.