Trailer wiring

Tiny
JIMBOB
  • MEMBER
  • FORD EXPLORER
I have a 2000 Ford Explorer with 74,000mi. My wiring hookup for towing has never worked. I have tested all of the wires and none of them work. I suspect that one of the connections is simply unplugged but I do not know where to locate them. Where are the locations of the plug-ins for the trailer wiring harness as it travels from the front of the vehicle to the back?
Thursday, January 4th, 2007 AT 6:07 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
HEAVYDUTY
  • MEMBER
  • 60 POSTS
Does it have a trailer light pigtail by the hitch? Trace that up to where it plugs in behind the bumper
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Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
JIMBOB
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The plug originates under the car, and is wired in with the wires for the taillights. It is a plug that had a red cap in it. It is taped in as a factory wired assembly. These wires disappear into the body of the car. So, I cannot follow them any further than where they go into the body.

I was hoping that someone had a dealer quality repair manual. These usually tell you where the various wiring harness connections are made.

I have done some research since my original post and it appears that Ford pre-wires these so that you won't burn out your electrical system when you back a trailer into the water. The entire circuit is separate from the rest of the electrical system and requires plugging in to ground it. If I have a voltmeter, is there any way I can test if this sytem is operational?

If you could tell me how to test the circuit, or where to find the electrical connectors, that would be most useful. Thanks.
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Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
MBOROKI
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  • 14 POSTS
Check the connector connecting the utility trailer from the tow vehicle. Use a screwdriver to pop open the connector on the latching arm.
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Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 AT 11:18 AM

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