Tapping into 7 way trailer plug

[Gambitl7]

Maybe I’m just not doing something correctly but I’m trying to connect a hitch light up and I tapped into the black, yellow and red wires of the 7 way plug but nothing happened when I tested the trailer lights off the Ford app. The hitch light runs both backup lights and break lights. Here’s the wire harness it came with.

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[PWillette]

Is there a wiring diagram identifying the wires in your picture? Are you properly grounded?

 

[pillar406]

This is the wiring diagram from the 7 pin connector. I did not see a black or red so did you tap into the correct circuits?

 

[grtharris]

The wires on the add on light are not going to match the Ford wires. When do you want the light to come on and need more info on the the light.
By the way how did you get the trailer lamp test to work. It does not show up in my Ford Pass app?

 

[RagnarKon]

By the way how did you get the trailer lamp test to work. It does not show up in my Ford Pass app?

It's on the Sync screen in the Towing section. Not in the app. (Link to a video I did)

Doesn't appear to work with the 4-pin connector... or... at least it didn't for me. Haven't tried the 7-pin.

 

[Gambitl7]

I have it in the app.

 

[PEGB]

I’m not sure if this will be of any help, but I was installing one of those third brake light/blinker lights behind the spare a couple of months ago. Their instructions directed you to tap into the 7way plug wiring. I live in New England and tapping into wires exposed to the elements and salt is a no go for me. That and they had a contrived way of keeping the “trailer plugged in” notification from happening. What I did instead was tap into the 7-way tow module installed in the cargo area (behind driver side panel) instead. No trailer warning, and everything is contained within the safe confines of the cabin.

Good Luck!

 

[Brian_B]

Doesn't appear to work with the 4-pin connector... or... at least it didn't for me. Haven't tried the 7-pin.

Odd. Mine works just fine with 4-pin, using the Ford 4-pin adapter kit - I just don't have reverse lights but everything else works. Mine does not show up on FordPass app either though - just Sync - maybe because I don't have the Tow package from the factory.

To the OP - if you have a multimeter check for voltage on the internals of your connector, make sure those are getting hot when they are supposed to. The wire colors going there may not be standard, but the pinout on the connector definitely will be. That at least gets you a starting point without needing to cut any more wires.

Even if the Trailer Check thing isn't working, you should still be able to get the signals the old fashioned way. All that does anyway is push the buttons/pedals for you to check the lights.

You should also be able to check your lights by going to a 12V source and making sure it turns on. I'm sure one is brake line, one is reverse, and one is ground - just connect them right to 12V somewhere and make sure the lights work as you expect too.

 

[RagnarKon]

Odd. Mine works just fine with 4-pin, using the Ford 4-pin adapter kit - I just don't have reverse lights but everything else works. Mine does not show up on FordPass app either though - just Sync - maybe because I don't have the Tow package from the factory.

Alright well now I'm just straight up confused hah.

I DO have the tow package from the factory and I definitely don't have it in the app like @Gambitl7 does.

 

[RoverDude]

Alright well now I'm just straight up confused hah.

I DO have the tow package from the factory and I definitely don't have it in the app like @Gambitl7 does.

I'd like to know how to enable this ( ie though app)

Even enabling towbar via FDRS. I still never have the light check enabled in sync.

I can turn it on via Forscan.
But it never worked, I got the same error as you.

Any insights /tips would be helpful.

 

[C6ZZGT]

It is on our app, we got ours in Aug.

We went with this light though,plug and play .......... https://www.diodedynamics.com/hitchmount-led-pod-reverse-kit-for-2021-2023-ford-bronco.html

 

[Gambitl7]

So I’ve got the light working but I keep getting errors because it thinks there’s a trailer. The errors are cross traffic sensors turn off and the rear parking sensors turn off. They don’t stay off they intermittently come on and off. Any ideas?

 

[RoverDude]

If you're tapping into the trailer wiring for lights. It thinks those lights are the trailer.
Specifically, what wires did you use / what wires are connected to what?

 

[Gambitl7]

If you're tapping into the trailer wiring for lights. It thinks those lights are the trailer.
Specifically, what wires did you use / what wires are connected to what?

I’m tapping into the ground, reverse lights both turn/brake lights.

 

[RagnarKon]

So I’ve got the light working but I keep getting errors because it thinks there’s a trailer. The errors are cross traffic sensors turn off and the rear parking sensors turn off. They don’t stay off they intermittently come on and off. Any ideas?

Yeah as @RoverDude mentioNed, it thinks you connected a trailer.

There is a Trailer Control Module that detects if there is a power draw on any of the trailer wiring. Since that’s the wires you’re tapped into it’s detecting that power draw and turning off the safety systems. Basically operating as designed.

The best you can do is add a load so I thinks the trailer is connected all the time, which will permanently disable those safety features. Probably best to wire it to something else other than the trailer tow wiring.

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