install trailer wiring harness

[garybart]

I found the instructions for installing the wiring http://www.handa-accessories.com/crv/07hitch.pdf (very involved) Would like to know what tool is best to use to remove side panels without damaging panels and if you have any hints.

Garybart.

[Black Pearl]

Wow! I took a look at those instructions and I have to say you have more courage than I do. I think the dealerships have special tool kits for removing interior panels which I believe are for the most part thin plastic prybars. I don't know this for a fact, it is just from reading a lot of posts. I should imagine that if you use thin tools with a lot of care and patience, you will be OK. But check it out thoroughly. We have some members who get into this sort of thing with hitches and stereo installations and hopefully someone can give you more specific information.

Not knowing your level of skill, I would highly recommend that you read those instructions thoroughly and make sure you are comfortable performing them. There is a warning on the instructions about do it yourself. That is pretty generic, but if you have never done this sort of thing before I would try to find some experienced help. Again you got more guts than I have, but I am pretty lilly livered.

Welcome to the club and good luck with your trailer hitch.

[gary696]

I found the instructions for installing the wiring http://www.handa-accessories.com/crv/07hitch.pdf (very involved) Would like to know what tool is best to use to remove side panels without damaging panels and if you have any hints.

Garybart.

I found a set of variously shaped plastic tools for panal removal at my local NAPA parts store. You will probably end up breaking some of the panal clips, so you may want to pick up some spares before hand. I didn't, and ended up reinstalling my panals shy of a few clips but have not experienced any signs of vibration buzz or loosnes.

[garybart]

The hitch install will be snap, per previous post the silicon spray will be great. Going to stop at a auto store for tools. My wifes new car and she is, well you know. Thanks for the the info.

GB

[jpod]

As the link below shows (if I can make it work) even an experienced careful installer with access to lots of specialized tools can miss something. http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/post19753-15/

I don't know what is behind the left cargo area side trim panel where the rip occurred, but I looked at the Curt installation instructions and did not see anything. And I don't see anything in the instructions you posted. There is not a clip like the others around the edges of this panel. But there must be something connecting the panel to the frame where the rip is.

Anyway proceed with care.

JPO

[garybart]

But there must be something connecting the panel to the frame where the rip is.

Anyway proceed with care.

JPO[/QUOTE]

I have attached a micro file of the parts for that area, I don't see a clip in that spot also. This material is very strong, have no idea what could have caused your rip. I will take picture when I do this wiring install to help others.

GB

[garybart]

As the link below shows (if I can make it work) even an experienced careful installer with access to lots of specialized tools can miss something. http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/post19753-15/

I don't know what is behind the left cargo area side trim panel where the rip occurred, but I looked at the Curt installation instructions and did not see anything. And I don't see anything in the instructions you posted. There is not a clip like the others around the edges of this panel. But there must be something connecting the panel to the frame where the rip is.

Anyway proceed with care.

JPO


After taking a second look at the take apart instructions http://www.handa-accessories.com/crv/07hitch.pdf Look again at page 4 paragraph 8, (eight retaining tabs and one bolt). That looks to be in the same spot as your rip.
OOps.

gb

[jpod]

Below are some photos I took this morning. Required 30 seconds to remove the trim panel cover and taking the pictures was about two minutes. Getting the pictures resized on the new Vista machine took two hours.:mad:

I didn't want to remove the cargo area left trim panel and didn't need to. Removing the trim panel cover was enough to figure out how the rip might have occurred.

Top picture shows the rip in the cargo area left trim panel. To the right is the trim panel cover.

Bottom picture shows that area with the trim panel cover removed.

Don't ask me what the number 72 and the line below it are about (weld inspection? punch list item?) In any case above and left of the number 72 is a dark metal flange, secured by a bolt that disappears behind the trim panel then turns northwest and ends right underneath the rip. It appears that at the end of the flange there is a screw attaching the flange to the trim panel right under the rip. But I could not see the entire connection.

So to get the larger panel off, it is necessary to remove the bolt at the east end of the flange. This is the bolt/"vehicle bolt" referred to in paragraph 8 on page 4.

So I agree with you garybart, the #%*&^%! vehicle bolt has to be removed. And if it's not the @#$%**! cargo area left trim panel might get torn.

I understand how someone might miss it though. Seems like removing the bolt should be called out in paragraph 9 along with the other instructions for removing the cargo area left trim panel.

I wanted to get this posted earlier this morning so if anyone was undertaking this project today they would have this info. Hope it helps somebody.
JPO

[garybart]

[QUOTE=jpod;23039]Below are some photos I took this morning. Required 30 seconds to remove the trim panel cover and taking the pictures was about two minutes. Getting the pictures resized on the new Vista machine took two hours.:mad:

JPod,

Thank for the effort, thats the bolt for sure. Sorry about the resize you would think that would be easier by now. I use iPhoto its very easy (a apple program). Try Picasa from Google, it free and very similar to iPhoto I'm told. Picasa - free photo editing and photo management software (http://picasa.google.com/#utm_source=en-all-more&utm_campaign=en-pic&utm_medium=et)

What tools did you use to get that panel off, did you start at the top or bottom. I have yet to order the hitch, or wiring as were in between trips. doing this pre plan first. Did you see any wiring behind the panels?

garybart

[garybart]

Etrailer sure is fast, I order hitch and wiring on sunday got everything on Tue.

The lub spray worked wonders on the tailpipe hangers, turned out that was the easiest part. Working by my self it took longer to attach, about 45 min, had some difficulty lining up bolts. Using the ramps helped a lot as you can see in the pics.

Hope these pictures help someone else. http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif The wire harness next.

garybart

[jpod]

The "trim panel cover", the small panel that covers the bolt, comes off very easily. It is held on by tabs and you can see the tab locations very clearly. I just pried gently at the top two or three tabs and the panel came right off.

Good Luck

JPO

[Swiftone]

Thanks for the pics! I don't have an 08 myself, but I will pass along the details to my friend that does.

It's a shame that the wiring harness isn't set up like my Gen1. Wiring is all spliced for me and is coiled up inside the left-side covered well beside the tire well. Not sure if that is factory or if the prev. owner put it there himself. It's handy though!

[mszumins]

[/QUOTE]

I have attached a micro file of the parts for that area, I don't see a clip in that spot also. This material is very strong, have no idea what could have caused your rip. I will take picture when I do this wiring install to help others.

GB[/QUOTE]

where could I find more parts files like this one?

[garybart]

I have finished the wiring. It was easier to take apart than to reassemble, the weather stripping is a pain. I stoped at paragraph 9 in the instructions I found from honda. http://www.handa-accessories.com/crv/07hitch.pdf I store the wiring in the spare wheel well rather than mounting the connector out in the elements. Hope the images help. The single bolt in the middle of the large plastic panel was sleeper for me. I was looking for plastic clips after undoing so many.

Garybart

[fredq2]

Gary et. al.

Thanks for all of the advice. Just finished installing a class III hidden hitch on my 09 CRV.

A couple of observations:

1. Installing the hitch was easy - no issues

2. Installing the wiring kit was harder - those push button clips on the trunk lip are fragile (2 on my 09 CRV) - be carefull putting them back in (push the pin back in by easing the pin over the indentions on the bottom before snapping it back down)

3. After getting the push button ones off - gently pry the threshold off with your fingers so as not to break the 4 clips underneath (straight up would be best)

4. I didnt need the tool to pull back the plastic parts.

5. I drilled a hole for the ground since I couldnt get the common ground bolt off.

6. I only peeled back the side panel enough to get to the connector which was taped to the cable near the wheel well. I didnt need to take the whole thing off.

7. The weather stripping is pretty easy if before reinstalling the side and threshold you use your index finger and run along the stripping to lay it on top of the plastic. thats it.

thanks again - off to find a trailer

[brenakie]

Gary,

Thanks for the posts! I'm going to order the hitch and wiring gear this week!

Bren