Troubleshooting Running Lights Circuit on Factory 4-Pole Wiring on 2011 Ford Ranger  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The best way to evaluate the operation of the factory 4-pole wiring harness on your 2011 Ford Ranger is to use a circuit tester like # PTW2992 but there are also checks you can do without a tester.

It is possible that you may have just a corrosion problem on your 4-pole, and this is easy to check. Inspect the metal contact surfaces for any signs of even slight greenish or whitish discoloration. Pay particular attention to the pin for the brown (taillight) wire. Clean the contacts as necessary.

Another possibility is that your harness ground wire is loose or is attached to a spot on the truck's frame that has dirt, grease or rust that is preventing a solid ground connection. The running light circuit is often where a ground issue will show up, since these lights (unlike stop and turn lights) are on continuously and require more current. Find the harness ground wire where it connects to the frame and either secure, clean or move the connection point to a new clean bare metal surface and securely attach it.

If neither of these checks corrects the problem, then apply your tester to the brown wire that leads into the 4-pole connector. If the brown wire carries a signal when the truck's lights are on, then move on to test the 4-pole's pin for that brown wire. If the pin does not pass the signal that is on the brown wire, then the connector is bad and should be replaced; you can use part # HM48030.

I have linked a demonstration video and a troubleshooting article to illustrate testing procedures.

If the correct running light signal is on the connector's pin, then there may be an issue with your hitch-mount light bar.

expert reply by: Adam R

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