Trailer Towing Relay: Service and Repair
TRAILER TOW RELAYWARNING: 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:
- 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.
- 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.
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 at the end of a take out of the rear body wire harness (2), which is wrapped within a foam rubber envelope (1) and placed on the top of the right rear wheelhouse between the quarter inner and outer panels.
4. Pull the trailer tow relay connector bank envelope into the cargo area far enough to access the relays for service.
5. Carefully remove the trailer tow relay connector bank (1) from the foam wrap.
6. Remove the appropriate relay (3, 4, 5 or 6) by grasping it firmly and pulling it straight out from the connector bank.
INSTALLATION
1. Position the trailer tow relay (3, 4, 5 or 6) to the appropriate connector in the connector bank (1).
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 (1) around the trailer tow relay connector bank on the rear body wire harness take out (2).
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.