Gauge 10 Amp Fuses blows

I have a 1997 Tacoma truck 2WD 2.4 L automatic. When I have my utility trailer hooked up and I put the truck in drive, it immediately blows the gauge fuse. I can run the truck without the trailer and no problem. I can check the trailer's turn signals, brake lights and tail lights all good and no fuse blows. if I put my foot on brake and the truck in reverse still no fuse blows. I pulled the bulbs out the trailer and that did not change the results. The trailer is brand new so I do not know where to start.

 

Factory tow package? Or home made harniss?

 

Factory tow package.

 

5 pin connector.

 

4 pin flat connector?

 

No, it is a 5 pin connector.

 

Sorry, I checked again and it is a 4 pin connector. It has a Hoppy electronic taillight converter on it.

 

OK that makes sense the 5 pins were designed for boat trailers. If your truck connector is factory 4 pin and you are using a converter it maybe a conflict I do not remember if a 97 had it's own converter built in with a tow package or not the newer ones did.

 

The converter was built in with the tow package.

 

OK so it is not external?

 

Here is a picture of the connector on the truck. Hope this helps.

 

Ok that is aftermarket not a factory thing I'm just trying to find an answer for your rather strange problem. The little box is full of diodes that can produce some strange effects under certain conditions if that thing is connected to one that is already in place it can send voltage backwards. I do not know if the Toyota came with a light converter with a factory package in 97 or not my old 97 had a hitch but had no converter, I have no ideal weather it was factory or not. The converters do go bad but usually cause issues with things like stop lights and signals. The Toy (and others) having separate brake light and turn signal bulbs and has to use a converter to allow the lights on a trailer to work as they only use one bulb, inside the little box is the electronics that allow this. So here is my guess there is an issue with the converter feeding back into the trucks wiring when the trailer is connected. The converters are a common device and even WalMart sells them. However don't call me bad names if that does not fix it! If it were mine I would try one the logic kind of points to that.

 

Ok, thank you so much. I have ordered a light tester and it will be here this Friday I hope. I will try the tester and then if that doesn't tell me anything, I will replace the converter and see what happens.

 

Yes that is aftermarket...had the same one and it didn't work...bought a new plug and play harness on Amazon and everything was good to go

 

Sorry it took me a while to get back to you guys. It was the converter box on the truck harness that was bad. I replace it and now no problem when I put the truck in drive.
Thanks for all your help.