Wiring Harness Connection Location On a 1999 Ford Explorer Limited with Tow Package

Question:

I have a 1999 Ford Explorer Limited that came with the towing package. I am unable to find a wiring harness that fits the female OEM connector located on the passenger side, next to the rear bumper. One of the plastic tabs on the coonector does not line-up and there are 6 female pins and 6 wires going into the back of the connector. The plastic tabs are at 12 oclock locking tab, 9 oclock and 4 oclock, the same as shown in the picture of the underside of the vehlcle for item 188241. The part 188241 wire harness has a male connector with plastics tabs at 12 oclock locking tab, 9 oclock , and 2 oclock not 4 oclock and it has only 4 male pins not 6 pins. I ordered the part from the local Ford dealership and it did not fit either. Any assistance you can provide to obtain the correct wiring harness/connector would be helpful.

asked by: Lee

Expert Reply:

I see exactly what you are talking about. I checked the stock we have on hand and all of the # 118241 wiring harnesses have the pins in the 3 O-clock and 10 O-clock positions with the locking tab up. I then spoke with our installation tech and he feels that the directions for the 1999 Explorer are wrong. He says that he remembers having to use the connector that is on the drivers side and that the picture on our web page was taken following the manufacturers directions and never got corrected. Check under your vehicle again, you should have a connector on the drivers side that will be very similar to the one on the passengers side but will have the pins in the correct position and only 4 pins. The tow package connector should fit this connector. Our video for the 1996 Explorer even states that the correct connector can be found on the drivers side on some vehicles (see link).

If you do not have a connector on the drivers side then the only other option I see is to use the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4 Pole Trailer Connector, item # 118345, which will work on your vehicle whether it has the tow package or not. With this harness you will need to run a 12 gauge wire to the positive post of the vehicle battery through the included inline fuse.

expert reply by: Robert G