trailer light problems on a couple e350s
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
trailer light problems on a couple e350s
i was recently working on 3 vans for a guy, all had trailer light problems. they were e350 club wagons ranging in years from 98-03.
all of them had problems with power not being provided from the factory wires under the body for this purpose. after following it up to the connector halfway forward and having no power there on the offending wires, i connected directly to the taillights for the offending circuits. is this a common problem with a common "proper" fix?
on all of the vans, the vehicle's own lights worked properly, but on the trailer plugs, one was down one turn signal, another both turn signals, and the other lost the ground.
if it was just one van, i wouldn't have thought twice about it, but working on 3 vans on the same day with the same story just makes me wonder
all of them had problems with power not being provided from the factory wires under the body for this purpose. after following it up to the connector halfway forward and having no power there on the offending wires, i connected directly to the taillights for the offending circuits. is this a common problem with a common "proper" fix?
on all of the vans, the vehicle's own lights worked properly, but on the trailer plugs, one was down one turn signal, another both turn signals, and the other lost the ground.
if it was just one van, i wouldn't have thought twice about it, but working on 3 vans on the same day with the same story just makes me wonder
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 711
Likes: 2
From: Outside of Memphis, TN
i was recently working on 3 vans for a guy, all had trailer light problems. they were e350 club wagons ranging in years from 98-03.
all of them had problems with power not being provided from the factory wires under the body for this purpose. after following it up to the connector halfway forward and having no power there on the offending wires, i connected directly to the taillights for the offending circuits. is this a common problem with a common "proper" fix?
on all of the vans, the vehicle's own lights worked properly, but on the trailer plugs, one was down one turn signal, another both turn signals, and the other lost the ground.
if it was just one van, i wouldn't have thought twice about it, but working on 3 vans on the same day with the same story just makes me wonder
all of them had problems with power not being provided from the factory wires under the body for this purpose. after following it up to the connector halfway forward and having no power there on the offending wires, i connected directly to the taillights for the offending circuits. is this a common problem with a common "proper" fix?
on all of the vans, the vehicle's own lights worked properly, but on the trailer plugs, one was down one turn signal, another both turn signals, and the other lost the ground.
if it was just one van, i wouldn't have thought twice about it, but working on 3 vans on the same day with the same story just makes me wonder
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
i'll have to check that out next time i'm down there. these vans only pull simple boat trailers or a small cube trailer, any of which only have minimal lights, so i doubt overloading would cause it, but its worth checking
thanks for the insight
thanks for the insight
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 8
Yes "Ford vans have separate fuses...for the trailers" but they didn't all have "seperate...relays". These trailer light dedicated fuses are in panel under hood. The relays were reserved for the highest capacity towing packages, to power multiaxle electric brakes, breakaway battery system & many clearance lights. If equipped w/relays they're on an optional bar, on my '92 it's located on radiator support, behind headlight.
The basic towing packages are very basic & support simple flat 4 pin trailer connectors.
IMO it's a very flexible system. Often the wiring is in place allowing you to plug in upgrades. Should have no trouble with "simple boat trailers...minimal lights".
Note that there may be back up light power provided to rear cross member. Making it very easy to add powerful back up light.
The basic towing packages are very basic & support simple flat 4 pin trailer connectors.
IMO it's a very flexible system. Often the wiring is in place allowing you to plug in upgrades. Should have no trouble with "simple boat trailers...minimal lights".
Note that there may be back up light power provided to rear cross member. Making it very easy to add powerful back up light.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,052
Likes: 138
From: Maryville
They are the large blade fuses, you can find them in the box under the hood, only the brakes have relays, and they aren't installed at the factory, but the fuses are there. I find if you have a poor ground, and have the running lights on, then use the signal, it will blow the fuse, very common, you need a good ground on the van, and trailer. I know this from experience, stupid popup I borrowed had a bad ground, only had issues when the running lights were on, got costly at $5 a pop.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 711
Likes: 2
From: Outside of Memphis, TN
They are the large blade fuses, you can find them in the box under the hood, only the brakes have relays, and they aren't installed at the factory, but the fuses are there. I find if you have a poor ground, and have the running lights on, then use the signal, it will blow the fuse, very common, you need a good ground on the van, and trailer. I know this from experience, stupid popup I borrowed had a bad ground, only had issues when the running lights were on, got costly at $5 a pop.
Diagrams from EVSM:
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,052
Likes: 138
From: Maryville
I don't know about relays, I just know about the fuses, was told in a discussion for those adding a brake controller, the harness in the floor is dead without the relay placed in the fusebox.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 8
Don't know if FORD changed them, BUT....
On my E150 both Turn signal (trailer tow) fuses & Running lights (trailer tow) fuse are the small (NOT normal medium size) blade fuses.
On my E150 both Turn signal (trailer tow) fuses & Running lights (trailer tow) fuse are the small (NOT normal medium size) blade fuses.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
New User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I have a 1997 E350 and I have no power to the trailer stop lights or turn signals, is this fuse located under the hood?
Please let me know asap
Majordad01@gmail.com
Please let me know asap
Majordad01@gmail.com
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
iremain69
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Mar 29, 2012 11:21 AM
WB9PRG
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
May 30, 2003 02:59 PM
