Trailer lights

[Glen24]

I have a 24 wildrltrak. I installed a hitch and plugged in a wiring plug into the 7-pin connector under the car. But when I turn on my trailer lights all I get is running lights. But NO turn signal or brake lights. Do I need the controller to get all the light funtions? I dont need a brake controller....

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[RagnarKon]

Yes you do, you need something called the Trailer Tow Module, which gets installed and programmed in the cargo area on the driver's side of the vehicle behind the trim panel.

Ford sells a kit.

You can do the programming step yourself, but most people just have their dealer do it.

 

[Headsong]

WTF??? Really? So we get the factory hitch and wiring installed and THEN need something else to actually use it? I towed my boat a very short distance and saw that I didn't have lights like it should, but again, it was short, so thought nothing more about it....until now. HOW FREAKIN' STUPID IS THIS???

Well, now chasing that link, confused. I have the connectors...it is factory. Am I missing something else? And now I see OP says "I" installed....so maybe not factory stuff included.....

 

[RagnarKon]

WTF??? Really? So we get the factory hitch and wiring installed and THEN need something else to actually use it? I towed my boat a very short distance and saw that I didn't have lights like it should, but again, it was short, so thought nothing more about it....until now. HOW FREAKIN' STUPID IS THIS???

Well, now chasing that link, confused. I have the connectors...it is factory. Am I missing something else? And now I see OP says "I" installed....so maybe not factory stuff included.....

Oh, no... hold up. You're in a different situation as a 2022 Bronco owner.

Just to clear it up...

For 2024 and later vehicles....

IF you buy the Bronco with the Trailer Tow Package from the factory... your Bronco will arrive at the dealership without any of the towing equipment pre-installed other than the wiring harness. It is then on your dealership to take the towing kit (the same kit I linked above) and install it prior to you taking delivery. It is what is referred to as a DIO or Dealer-Installed Option.

If you do not buy the Bronco with the Trailer Tow Package from the factory, then your vehicle will be delivered to you without the trailer towing equipment. If you decide later that you want to install it, you just have to buy the kit and get it installed.

For 2021-2023 vehicles only....

If you bought the Trailer Tow Package, it was installed by the factory.

If you did not buy the Trailer Tow Package, you have to buy a separate kit that includes the wiring harness, the module, etc. In addition, you also have to buy the hitch receiver and get that installed along with the wiring and the module.

----

The biggest difference between the 2021-2023 parts and the 2024+ parts is the fact that on 2024+ Broncos, the wiring harness is already installed by the factory, making the entire installation process MUCH more simple. It's largely plug-and-play with a quick programming step. For 2021-2023 Broncos you have to run a whole new wiring harness from the engine bay to the back of the vehicle.

But again, if you bought the trailer tow package from the factory, none of this should have mattered to you because all of it should have been installed either by the factory or the dealer before you took delivery.

Edit: In @Glen24's case... it sounds like his Wildtrak did not have come with the trailer tow package. And rather than using Ford's kit, he just bought an aftermarket hitch and wiring connector online without realizing that a trailer tow module was also required.

 

[Headsong]

Oh, no... hold up. You're in a different situation as a 2022 Bronco owner.

Just to clear it up...

For 2024 and later vehicles....

IF you buy the Bronco with the Trailer Tow Package from the factory... your Bronco will arrive at the dealership without any of the towing equipment pre-installed other than the wiring harness. It is then on your dealership to take the towing kit (the same kit I linked above) and install it prior to you taking delivery. It is what is referred to as a DIO or Dealer-Installed Option.

If you do not buy the Bronco with the Trailer Tow Package from the factory, then your vehicle will be delivered to you without the trailer towing equipment. If you decide later that you want to install it, you just have to buy the kit and get it installed.

For 2021-2023 vehicles only....

If you bought the Trailer Tow Package, it was installed by the factory.

If you did not buy the Trailer Tow Package, you have to buy a separate kit that includes the wiring harness, the module, etc. In addition, you also have to buy the hitch receiver and get that installed along with the wiring and the module.

----

The biggest difference between the 2021-2023 parts and the 2024+ parts is the fact that on 2024+ Broncos, the wiring harness is already installed by the factory, making the entire installation process MUCH more simple. It's largely plug-and-play with a quick programming step. For 2021-2023 Broncos you have to run a whole new wiring harness from the engine bay to the back of the vehicle.

But again, if you bought the trailer tow package from the factory, none of this should have mattered to you because all of it should have been installed either by the factory or the dealer before you took delivery.

Edit: In @Glen24's case... it sounds like his Wildtrak did not have come with the trailer tow package. And rather than using Ford's kit, he just bought an aftermarket hitch and wiring connector online without realizing that a trailer tow module was also required.

Great clarification! Thx. So glad you experts are here.

 

[Glen24]

Yes you do, you need something called the Trailer Tow Module, which gets installed and programmed in the cargo area on the driver's side of the vehicle behind the trim panel.

Ford sells a kit.

You can do the programming step yourself, but most people just have their dealer do it.

Does any one have just the trailer tow module for sale.... I already have the hitch and wiring plug

 

[Go_UL_Cards]

I also had only running lights without the TRM. My question is how is that even working? Seems like you would get no lights at all - turns signals, brakes or running lights - without installing the module.

Glen24 - i had to buy mine on-line - it was around $100 but did not come with the mounting plate. Not sure if i didn't order exactly the right part or have to buy that separately. The module i received has no way to mount to a plate without double sided tape or glue. I used zip ties to anchor it.

One other comment - the dealership i bought it from told me i was buying the wrong thing. They said i needed to buy the Brake Controller Kit - I don't need that - not planning on pulling anything with electric brakes. On line often directs you to the brake kit when you google for Trailer Control Module.

This the part number i ordered ej7z19h332e from Ford Discount Parts | OEM Ford Parts & Accessories | Manufacturer Warranty

 

[RIDE]

I also had only running lights without the TRM. My question is how is that even working?

Good question and thinking about it, there might be (maybe?) a life hack here to get it working for free. I mean, if clearance lights work, that should mean ground wire to trailer works also (?). So you’re only then needing your green and yellow trailer wires to work to get brakes and signals. Theoretically you should be able to splice only those two wires into those corresponding circuits on your rear tail lights (which BTW this used to be protocol to add trailer lights to pre-‘90 trucks). Only thing I don’t know is whether or not the signal modulators on current vehicles might pick up on the increased resistance and disallow it as circuit protection …
Regardless, if it works, get familiarized with where both the signal and brake fuses are in fuse box and carry a few spares on hand just in case. You may need to bump up the fuse amps slightly to accommodate, but other than that, theoretically it should work. Oh, and MAKE SURE to do splices properly with waterproof elec grease inside of sealed shrink tube or equivalent.

 

[Squatch]

Does any one have just the trailer tow module for sale.... I already have the hitch and wiring plug

I used the generic version of a Curt 4-pin which has some black box that takes the LED taillights signals/current and effectively transfers it to the 4-pin and trailer lights and signals work.

~$40-50 on Amazon; ignore the Sport in some pics, lol.

https://a.co/d/9nXSkfj

 

[Go_UL_Cards]

I posted above about the trailer tow module i bought. Having issues with Right turn signal - working with RoverDude (really knows his stuff) and i might have the wrong module. He sent the correct one to me. Haven't had time to do any on-line shopping yet for prices.
---

(M2DT-19H378-AB) # listed on actual part (see link below)
BUT
Fords number for ordering: M2DZ-19H332-A

Module Trailer Brake M2DZ-19H332-A | OEM Parts Online
---

I have a little continuity testing to do this weekend. If that works then i'll be replacing the module. In ForScan i don't have the same lines as RoverDudes spreadsheet. Make the module suspect.

 

[Noconer]

Oh, no... hold up. You're in a different situation as a 2022 Bronco owner.

Just to clear it up...

For 2024 and later vehicles....

IF you buy the Bronco with the Trailer Tow Package from the factory... your Bronco will arrive at the dealership without any of the towing equipment pre-installed other than the wiring harness. It is then on your dealership to take the towing kit (the same kit I linked above) and install it prior to you taking delivery. It is what is referred to as a DIO or Dealer-Installed Option.

If you do not buy the Bronco with the Trailer Tow Package from the factory, then your vehicle will be delivered to you without the trailer towing equipment. If you decide later that you want to install it, you just have to buy the kit and get it installed.

For 2021-2023 vehicles only....

If you bought the Trailer Tow Package, it was installed by the factory.

If you did not buy the Trailer Tow Package, you have to buy a separate kit that includes the wiring harness, the module, etc. In addition, you also have to buy the hitch receiver and get that installed along with the wiring and the module.

----

The biggest difference between the 2021-2023 parts and the 2024+ parts is the fact that on 2024+ Broncos, the wiring harness is already installed by the factory, making the entire installation process MUCH more simple. It's largely plug-and-play with a quick programming step. For 2021-2023 Broncos you have to run a whole new wiring harness from the engine bay to the back of the vehicle.

But again, if you bought the trailer tow package from the factory, none of this should have mattered to you because all of it should have been installed either by the factory or the dealer before you took delivery.

Edit: In @Glen24's case... it sounds like his Wildtrak did not have come with the trailer tow package. And rather than using Ford's kit, he just bought an aftermarket hitch and wiring connector online without realizing that a trailer tow module was also required.

@RagnarKon thanks for the great info. My '22 WT is at the dealer right now for other minor issues, and I wanted them to address the trailer kit issue. They installed what was supposedly the correct trailer kit at the time back in 8/2023 when I bought it; this gave me just a 4-pin connector and worked correctly as far as trailer lights, but the computer does not recognize when a trailer is connected, so I do not get info on my screen. Also now I need the 7-blade connector for a new trailer.

So I told them about the Ford kit you mentioned above for 2021-2023 Broncos (SKU: VP2DZ15A416A). They said they have another '23 Bronco in the shop that has the same need and had just ordered that part and would make sure it works for them before doing mine. Today they called and said nope, it did not work, there is just no way to put a 7-blade connector on a '23 Bronco, sorry.

I think they are wrong, and besides the Ford website selling the part says it is for 2021-2023 Broncos! They are wrong, aren't they? Anyone have additional info that could help me get this done?

Thanks!

 

[RoverDude]

They are incorrect with statement, or unwilling to do it because it is not worth what they will paid.

The the evidence or proof is that.
(1) They literally sell the parts to do that.
(2) It's been done before, other people have done it.
(3) It's programmable by FDRS.

Soooo.

 

[RagnarKon]

@RagnarKon thanks for the great info. My '22 WT is at the dealer right now for other minor issues, and I wanted them to address the trailer kit issue. They installed what was supposedly the correct trailer kit at the time back in 8/2023 when I bought it; this gave me just a 4-pin connector and worked correctly as far as trailer lights, but the computer does not recognize when a trailer is connected, so I do not get info on my screen. Also now I need the 7-blade connector for a new trailer.

So I told them about the Ford kit you mentioned above for 2021-2023 Broncos (SKU: VP2DZ15A416A). They said they have another '23 Bronco in the shop that has the same need and had just ordered that part and would make sure it works for them before doing mine. Today they called and said nope, it did not work, there is just no way to put a 7-blade connector on a '23 Bronco, sorry.

I think they are wrong, and besides the Ford website selling the part says it is for 2021-2023 Broncos! They are wrong, aren't they? Anyone have additional info that could help me get this done?

Thanks!

I suspect they are very mistaken, but without seeing what they're doing it's hard to know 100%.

What they likely did for you was install the 4-pin connector.

 

[Noconer]

I suspect they are very mistaken, but without seeing what they're doing it's hard to know 100%.

What they likely did for you was install the 4-pin connector.

I need to have some facts on hand when I talk to the dealer Friday...

- Anyone who has had the Ford 7-blade trailer connector (this part) installed on a 2022 by a Ford Dealer, please reply here with dealer name/location

- Especially in North Texas, please tell me who did it and I will just switch to that dealer

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