Problem with Snapping Female 7 Pin Trailer Connector to the Male 7 Pin Vehicle Connector

Updated 10/22/2012 | Published 10/20/2012

Question:

On my truck, I cant get the female 7 pin connector to snap together with the male 7 pin connector that is mounted on the back bumper. Is there a trick to this?

asked by: Brett

Expert Reply:

If the cover on the vehicle side 7-Way has broken off, it will not hold the trailer end in place. Check to see if the spring that holds the lid closed is in good working order and if the cover is broken off then the mechanism that normally moves out of the way when the cover is lifted could be blocking the trailer side connector.

Other times there is a lot of force required to connect the first few times if parts are new. And there is also the chance that the openings on the trailer side connector are not as wide as the blades on the truck side.

Make sure that the trailer side is oriented with that square piece in the right spot (usually at the top). If you have it in all the way and there is no power getting to the trailer lights it could be that on the trailer connector you will need to flex its pins in towards the center a little. I have seen that a few times as well.

expert reply by: Michael H