Converter for Tailgate Light On 2025 Ford Maverick XLT throwing Codes  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Howard, I totally get what you’re running into here, and you’re not alone, this is a common headache on newer Mavericks with BLIS. The issue isn’t the light bar itself, it’s that anything plugged into the trailer connector tells the truck a trailer is attached, which is why you’re getting warnings and seeing BLIS shut off. Even a powered harness like the Curt part # C59DR still creates a 4-way trailer plug, so as soon as your light bar is connected there, the truck reacts the same way.

The fix is to take the trailer plug out of the equation completely. What you want instead is to tap into the taillight wiring directly so the light bar follows your running lights, brake lights, and turn signals without ever signaling to the truck that a trailer is present. This is done by accessing the wiring behind the tail lights and connecting the light bar’s wires to the matching circuits for running, brake, and turn signals, along with a solid ground. On a newer truck like yours, using a powered converter in that setup is the safest route since it pulls power from the battery and only reads the signal from the truck, which helps protect the factory wiring and keeps everything stable. You can use this universal Curt Powered Tail Light Converter w/ 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector and Install Kit Part # C59496, cut the trailer plug off and hardwire directly to your tail lights.

I have heard of people using the OPT7 Redline harness. While we don’t carry it, that style of harness is designed specifically to filter out the trailer detection signal, which is why people have had success with it on trucks like yours when they want a more plug-and-play option. If you do a quick google search, you can find it.

If you want, I can help you dial in the cleanest way to wire it based on how you want it installed so you can get this done once and not have to mess with warnings again. What do you use the Maverick for after dark, camping, hauling, or tailgates, and do you power other gear from the Flexbed outlet or plan to add a topper or roof tent?

expert reply by: Heather A

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