Troubleshooting No Power to Pair Curt Echo on 2021 Ford Explorer

Updated 11/14/2024 | Published 10/15/2021

Question:

Hello, I bought the Curt Echo from you a few years ago and it has worked great with our older Ford Escape after we installed your ETBC7L kit to go from 4 way to 7 way and add 12v power. We recently upgraded to a Ford Explorer that came with the factory towing package, which includes a 7 way outlet. When I tried connecting the Curt Echo to the Explorer the app said to check my trailer wiring, and it always applies the trailer brakes at a low level. I checked the pins on the tow vehicle 7 way with a multimeter and found that there was 0v on the pin that should be providing 12v power, even though the vehicle is running and in towing mode. I had the Ford dealership check it out and they said that the 7 way passes their diagnostics, but they couldnt tell me if it should be providing 12v. Is it necessary for me to run a wire to the battery with a circuit breaker to use the Curt Echo on this vehicle?

asked by: Bryan

Expert Reply:

Running your own 12V power wire for the 7-Way on your 2021 Ford Explorer would give it the constant 12V power that the Curt Echo # C51180 needs, but I'm pretty sure we can remedy this problem without you having to splice into the wiring on your new vehicle.

It sounds like your Explorer has the same wiring setup as the new Ford pickups (which makes sense) where the vehicle won't sent power back to the 7-Way until it senses a load. Since the Echo needs power to pair to your phone you will need to plug in the Echo and then plug in your trailer wiring prior to pairing the Echo with your phone via Bluetooth.

Attached is a clip from the installation instructions where it talks about the F-150 wiring for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G

Instructions for Installing Curt Ehco Brake Controller to Ford F-150
(click to enlarge)

Dean

11/9/2024

Good morning Jon, I have a similar issue with my 2021 Ford Explorer, The Explorer has the factory installed Class Iii Trailer Tow Package and everything works but I the 12 volt led does not light when I use the Curt 7 way tester. My concern is that my trailer battery stay charged since I have an electric trailer jack. The instructions indicate that the 12 volt led should light when the tester is plugged in. Am I correct that the vehicle senses the tester as a load or do I need to connect the vehicle to the trailer with the trailer battery connected? If so, how do I confirm that the 12 volt is working?

Jon G.

11/11/2024

@Dean The newer Fords can be a pain when it comes to activating the 7-Way, and I think you're correct that your tester just isn't putting enough of a load on it for the 7-Way to send back 12V power. When you plug your trailer 7-Way into your Explorer you should see that the 12V power is going out like it should be.

Dean

11/11/2024

@JonG Thank you for the follow-up. When I connect the Explorer (7 way) to my trailer will I be able to measure the charge voltage across the trailer battery?

Jon G.

11/11/2024

@Dean Yes, you can use a circuit tester like part # PTW2992 to determine how much voltage is coming through the 7-Way.

Dean

11/14/2024

@JonG Good morning Jon, I thought you might be interested on what I found testing my 7 pin connector. If you remember all functions on my seven pin connector were working except I could not confirm if the 12V line was since the LED on my tester did not light. I was able to test the 12v line by going through what I'm going to call the start up / trailer connect calibration process. After connecting my Curt tester and with the engine off, I had my son confirm all functions worked on the tester, left right stop, hazard, running lights. My 2021 Explorer has a factory installed trailer package that includes a transmission setting for towing. After starting the engine I put my foot on the brake and without taking if off selected the tow setting. After a few seconds the in dash trailer connected indicator came on. At that time my son said that the 12 volt line LED was lit. When I took my foot off the brake the LED turned off. In layman terms, that make sense since the Explorer no longer sensed a trailer was connected (no load) and realizing there was nothing to charge opened the charging circuit relay module or whatever. I turned off the engine and followed the same process a second time with the same results. Mystery solved. Thanks for your help.