Does a 2009 Ford Escape Use Relays and Fuses for the Factory Tow Package Wiring

Updated 11/24/2025 | Published 10/07/2014

Question:

Hi Michael .. On the Ford Escape 2009 ... with pre wired back harness ... in addition to the 3 required relay initially missing 5L3T-AA and/or 5L3Z14N089-AA does one need to install additional fuses ? like fuse #8 ? I installed 3 relays .. Tested their functionality ... they click when left /right turn signal engaged but nothing going out to the back connector . Perhaps the relay control works but the actual relay switch does not bring any power to the back ..maybe no power comes to the relay switch unless additional fuses required ? Any advise ?

asked by: Alex

Expert Reply:

If you check the owners manual for your 2009 Ford Escape, any relay or fuse that is associated with the tow package wiring will need to be present for the wiring harness to work. There are many vehicles that take both relays and fuses (Ford is one) to make the tow packages work. So it is very likely that you will need to add fuses if power is not getting back with just the relays.

A relay is more or less a switch. It is doing some regulating but not really doing the same job as a fuse.

expert reply by: Michael H

Jacob G.

5/19/2025

Michael, Similar situation -- i have a 2009 escape, and there IS a factory harness that was under the driver's side of the rear bumper (and plugged into that little dummy thing with the white plastic screw thing. I plugged it in to the 4 pin flat adapter i bought from e-trailer, but then i realized that the relays in the engine bay box don't have pins inside, so the relays don't actually plug into anything. Have you seen this before? I haven't followed the factory wiring yet to see how far it goes. I guess my question is from your experience will i be able to get the relays working in the fuse box by 'finishing' the wiring to the box? Does my question make sense?

Riley H.

11/24/2025

@JacobG I came across the same problems the pins in the fuse box are not there … did you figure out what to do from there I’m not sure what to do

Jacob G.

11/24/2025

@RileyH So it's not worth trying to make the firebox connect, I got the harness that connects to the tail light, and ran a 12v power line from my battery (with an in-line fuse close to the battery). I went through the existing grommet hole in front of the driver seat. Then ran it under the panels along the floor on driver side all the way back, which is where I attached the black power thing to an existing hole with screw. It was surprisingly simple to do, and I haven't had an issues with my brake lights.

Jacob A.

11/24/2025

That firebox connect was autocorrect, I meant to say fuse box. Anyway you get the point.