Factory Tow Package 7-way Plug Without Power on 2010 Ford Explorer

Updated 04/01/2019 | Published 03/30/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Tow Package Wiring Harness with 4 Pole Trailer Connector

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$19.95

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 7-Way and 4-Pole Flat Connectors

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$33.78

LCD Digital Circuit Tester

(23)

$26.25

Question:

My 2010 Ford Explorer has factory towing. But there is no power to the plug and the wires look good. Where else should I look?

asked by: Tim B

Expert Reply:

The first step is to check the fuse panel below the instrument panel on the driver's side of the 2010 Ford Explorer. If you are not getting any power to any of the pins of the plug, check the fuse location 7 for trailer stop /turn and fuse location 25 for trailer tow park lamps. These two fuse locations protect the running light circuit on the 7-way. You can also check fuse location 16 for the trailer reverse lamp that protects the back up circuit on the 7-way.

If all of the fuse panel fuses are in good working order, check the power distribution box in the engine compartment. Check for location 13 for the trailer tow battery charger and make sure it has a 30 amp fuse. This location protects the break away kit or battery charger circuit on the 7-way. Also check location 17 for trailer electronic brakes that protects the electric brake control power circuit. If any of these fuses in the fuse panel or power distribution box are blown are missing you may not have power to the plug.

If all of the fuses in the panel and the power distribution box are okay, it is a good idea to check all of the ground connections on the vehicle and the trailer. Make sure the ground connections are grounded to a clean bare metal surface.

The next step is to check the actual factory connection of the 7-way plug. Since your vehicle has a 7-way factory towing setup there is a round connector port at the rear of the vehicle that the 7-way is plugged into. You can remove the plug from this round port and check that there is power to the round factory connection point with a circuit tester such as part # PTW2992 the same way you checked the 7-way plug for power. I attached a photo that shows you what the factory connection point looks like.

If you are getting power at the factory connection point and not the 7-way plug then the harness needs to be replaced with Curt 7-way plug part # C55774 for the 2010 Ford Explorer. If you do not have power at the factory connection point then there is an issue with the factory tow package wiring somewhere deeper in the vehicle. If that's the case I recommend taking your explorer to a mechanic.

expert reply by: Heather A