Troubleshooting Trailer Light Functions After Trailer Connection Pulled Apart

Published 08/07/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Ford Replacement OEM Tow Package Wiring Harness, 7-Way (Super Duty)

(423)

$66.37

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(14)

$25.11

Hopkins Plug-In Simple Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(3)

$17.39

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(61)

$13.33

Question:

my plug for trailer was not disconnected and pulled apart, i have front headlights, but very very dim rear run lights, no emergency lights, no turn signals, no stop lights,no flashers, i checked connections on vehicle they seemed to be find, i unhooked old trailer receptacle, with new one but when i hooked everything up just flashers were working, going from white wire to orange wire, thats as far as i got, now lost flashers

asked by: Vance F

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have the factory wiring harness, but the # 118243 is not a fit for your vehicle. It is only a fit for 1999 to 2001 models.

You would need either the Hopkins Plug-In Simple Wiring Harness # HM40165 or Curt # C55265. If you test your factory wiring connection with a circuit tester like # PTW2993 prior to connecting a harness, you will be able to determine if the issue is the harness or prior to the harness.

If you are only having connection issues on the trailer side, then you most likely have a bad ground connection. You can test each trailer wire individually using that circuit tester to see if you have a short somewhere in your wiring that a strong pull could cause. You can probe the wires every few feet to check for this and replace the wire as needed.

expert reply by: Jason S