Notices
Excursion - King of SUVs 2000 - 2005 Ford Excursion
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Towing light issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 06:49 PM
  #1  
BassFantasizer's Avatar
BassFantasizer
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,950
Likes: 5,076
Towing light issue

The tail lights on my trailer don't work when it's hooked up to the Ex.

All of the other trailer lights work fine, just not the tail lights. I've verified that there's no power on that circuit at the plug.

Anyone seen this before or know where to start looking?


Thanks,
~Bass
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 08:54 PM
  #2  
Stebs's Avatar
Stebs
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 575
Likes: 1
From: Eastern KS
Originally Posted by BassFantasizer
The tail lights on my trailer don't work when it's hooked up to the Ex.

All of the other trailer lights work fine, just not the tail lights. I've verified that there's no power on that circuit at the plug.

Anyone seen this before or know where to start looking?


Thanks,
~Bass
Check all your fuses. There are several for the trailer connection... Brakes, left turn, right turn, running lights, battery charge, and possibly reverse light...

Edit: on my 02, it appears fuse 38 is for "trailer tow park lamps and backup lamps"
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 08:58 PM
  #3  
JWC 3's Avatar
JWC 3
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 49
From: Tennessee
X2 on fuse ck . See that a lot . Also ck the truck plug for loose wires , bad connections ect .
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 11:23 PM
  #4  
EXv10's Avatar
EXv10
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Fuses, then take a little sharp pointed light tester and stick it in the trailer plug to check each circuit one at a time and match them up to the trailer circuits. You will need someone (with some patience) to work the controls up front. I labeled all mine with a marking pen; LB RB ST TA GR etc.
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2013 | 01:22 AM
  #5  
Stebs's Avatar
Stebs
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 575
Likes: 1
From: Eastern KS
Originally Posted by EXv10
Fuses, then take a little sharp pointed light tester and stick it in the trailer plug to check each circuit one at a time and match them up to the trailer circuits. You will need someone (with some patience) to work the controls up front. I labeled all mine with a marking pen; LB RB ST TA GR etc.
I guess I'm having a hard time following this... Ta? Gr?
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2013 | 07:13 AM
  #6  
BassFantasizer's Avatar
BassFantasizer
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,950
Likes: 5,076
Originally Posted by Stebs
I guess I'm having a hard time following this... Ta? Gr?
LB RB ST TA GR - Left Blinker, Right Blinker, Stop, Tail, Ground.


I know it's in the Ex, and that the fuses are good. Guess I'm going to have to start tracing a wiring harness issue.


~Bass
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2013 | 09:43 AM
  #7  
EXv10's Avatar
EXv10
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Originally Posted by Stebs
I guess I'm having a hard time following this... Ta? Gr?
Short for taillight ground left blinker etc
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2013 | 04:52 PM
  #8  
Stebs's Avatar
Stebs
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 575
Likes: 1
From: Eastern KS
I follow ya now... I figured out the first 3 but the last 2 threw me off.... They're actually already labeled on the spring loaded cover that protects the 7 pin plug when its not in use...
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 19, 2013 | 11:22 PM
  #9  
Nicmike's Avatar
Nicmike
Veteran/Sheepdog
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
Club FTE Silver Member

Bass, I had the same issue when I bought mine. Went to tow a trailer...and no tail lights. I had blinker on one side and one stop lamp. It was three of the fuses under the hood blown. Right next to the brake master cylinder. Not sure if the 00 is set up the same way...
 
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2013 | 11:59 PM
  #10  
EXv10's Avatar
EXv10
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Fuses under dash and under hood but the OP probably already knows that.
 
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2013 | 05:13 AM
  #11  
Jmatthews's Avatar
Jmatthews
is a BAAAD MAN
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 5
From: Winston Salem NC
Club FTE Silver Member

It wouldn't hurt to add an extra ground from the harness on the Ex to the frame and an extra ground on the trailer side too. Most of the time it seems like a ground issue in these cases.

Another thing to check is the pigtail on the truck, unplug it and look for corrosion on both sides.
 
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2013 | 08:29 AM
  #12  
Scuds ion's Avatar
Scuds ion
5th Wheeling
10 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Yep, me too.

Just found same issue on my '05...

Fuse is fine,(fuse 38) but no power at the 7 pin plug.

Probably a broken wire.........

look up Bargman or other company to find a diagram of the 7 pin.

That will help with tracking........

I am doing a little rigging for this weekend's tow. Fix it next week.
 
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2013 | 08:54 AM
  #13  
BassFantasizer's Avatar
BassFantasizer
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,950
Likes: 5,076
Last night I learned that the Ex was previously tagged in the right rear. There were a couple of indications that something wasn't quite right, but the paint match was excellent so I didn't think about it. Then I saw something in the right rear wheel well and realized that the repair was sub-standard. Now I'm wondering if the trailer light issue and the rear-end vibration are due to getting hit???
 
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2013 | 12:42 PM
  #14  
Nicmike's Avatar
Nicmike
Veteran/Sheepdog
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
Club FTE Silver Member

Certainly could be. Mine was rear ended a month ago, and the wiring harnesses behind the bumper were crushed.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gbkeith
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
5
Apr 16, 2018 08:57 PM
mrblonde108
All Things Towing
7
Dec 21, 2011 01:33 AM
2kcrewcab
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Apr 7, 2011 06:04 AM
lilpro
All Things Towing
2
Jul 6, 2009 01:35 AM
jake00
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
7
Jun 11, 2006 11:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:11 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE