Question Regarding Towing Wiring Harness for 99 Rodeo

[mumbles99Rodeo]

I have been trying to add a wiring harness to my 99 Rodeo for trailer lights. I have searched this forum and I found the posts that say there is a connector inside Jack compartment in the rear of the vehicle. I've even seen the pictures that show the connector pulled out from the compartment. But for the life of me, I can not find the stowed coil of wire with connector anywhere in my vehicle. I've reached as far as I can in and around that compartment, but no loose wires. Only wires I've found go to the power outlet above the compartment and to the rear lights. Does anyone have anything to add to the previous post that might help me locate the trailer lights connection? Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, I have already bought the trailer wiring harness that plugs into this connector, if I could just find it.

Thanks,
Marc
1999 Rodeo LS 2WD

[Gizmo42]

Its in between the plastic and the metal inner body part, usually taped into place. It will be somewhere near the power outlet. It just takes alot of feeling around up inside there to find it. I removed the plastic to find it on mine but once I knew were it was I can find it by feel now.

[mumbles99Rodeo]

Thanks. I finally found it. Thanks to your hint, I got the bright idea of using a mirror and flashlight to look up in the compartment and there it was bundled with the the taillight wiring.

Now a follow up, any tips on how to route the wiring outside to the hitch? I don't plan on doing much towing, so I'm leaning towards just routing it out the rear hatch/window whenever I need it.

Marc

[Gizmo42]

It should have a grommet on the wires that plug into the main harness. You pop a grommet out of the body inside the jack compartment then feed the wires up through the hole and the built in grommet goes in place of the old one. I just routed the wiring for the other end along the hitch using some velcro straps.

I use a hitch brake light and keep that plugged in when I'm not towing or offroading. I picked one up at walmart for under $10.