First post! Just got my 2003 Excursion 2WD, 7.3 with 204000 last Wednesday. Drove it home from Houston, TX to Fallon, Nevada - about 2000 miles. All went well. First tank gave me 25 MPG, calculated. Needless to say, miles to go. I understand that the factory prewired the X for a trailer brake controller. That has to be one of my first projects - after I fill everything up with synthetic fluids.

Where will I find the wiring?

Thanks,
Roland Hyatt
Fallon, ,Nevada

 

This is the thread you want. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ller-plug.html

Had mine in in a few minutes

 

Thanks! I'll find it now. It looks like there's a plug and Tekonsha includes an adapter, at least with the Prodigy units, which is what I'll use.

Roland Hyatt
Fallon, Nevada

 

No problem. It's a bit hard to plug into if you have big mitts like mine.

 

Just a thought, I have a terrible short on my brakes. If I plug in the brake controller I loose running lights and AC. They do not connect anywhere in the system but still it kills me. As I tried to trace the short I found several rubs that did not cause a short yet. I will be running a new set of wires to the back. With the new wires I am also installing a newer controller. With all new wires and controller I can again tow and not carry a box of fuses.

So the short version is factory wiring may not be all that great 15 years later. It is so easy to run fresh wires I would do it again if I had to.

 

Well, here's hoping that I don't have any sort of problem. My X, although 206K, is pristine, like it lived in a garage, except when driven high miles by a woman. We'll see. I'm tracking down, probably a P3 Prodigy, for the best deal. It looks like $139.95, shipped, with the Ford adapter cable.

Roland Hyatt
Fallon, NV

 

I unplugged my controller in my wrecked 2000 and plugged it right into my 2002 without any issue, it works great!

 

Usually the issue lies in the back of the 7pin under the truck. It's pretty much open to the elements and can get corroded easily. Then the circuits are connected there.

 

In 18 years of being in the Hitch & Wiring business I've never seem those symptoms. I'll be curious to see what fixes that.

Is this in an Excursion and without doubt is it plugged into the correct connector?

Lastly, other than the ac / lights not working doest the actual brake controller read out and power up the electric brakes?


Joe

 

The wires rubbed a short near the gas tank. So I have no brake controller to the rear plug and yes I did plug it in the very hard to reach plug meant for toddlers hands. It is not a normal fail.

The original owner of my Ex was heavy into camping and towing. The plug end was replaced immediately as it was worn and sloppy. The wire harness I would still like to get to but I need to drop the gas tank and I cannot do that by myself right now. That is why I pulled new wires. Better to be sure the brakes not fail then take a chance.

My point with the posting was if never used check the wires going back to be sure they are still good. I have seen 3 trucks with the same problem all heavy on the camping or off road. My guess is the extra dust and dirt up there wore off the shielding, but until I can drop the tank I will not know for sure.

Still my truck is the best truck I have owned in 30 years. After I get a new hip from the VA I will be doing much driving and towing with it as we had originally planned.

 

Thanks for the explanation, that surely is am uncommon deal.

Glad you got it all sorted.

 

This plug doesn't exist in my 05 limited. Could it be plugged into another harness elsewhere in the system, or was it ommitted?

 

It might be hidden.

Take the knee panel off under the steering wheel and look toward the middle of the dash, under the radio/climate control, which is the perspective of this picture.



The grey plug is the one you need to look for.

Stewart

 

Got it. I'll be in a neck cast for the next 10 days, but I got it!