I have a 1998 F150 which I bought new that has a 7 pin towing connector on the back.

I may have to pull a small utility trailer occasionally and wanted to check the connector on the back to make sure it works. I bought a Curt 58270 tester to test it with.

I plugged the tester into the receptacle and the only led that is lit is the 12v led.

I then started the vehicle and tried the turn signals and lights and none of those leds lit. So the only led that lights is the 12v led in any situation.

I am the original owner of the vehicle and have never used the connector before.

Any assistance in finding out why only the 12v is on would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

First, welcome to FTE. We will try to help.


I'd start with the glove box. Do you still have the owners manual? You need to consult the fuse box diagram.


So once you have determined the fuse locations for the towing check those and lets see if you even have a fuse in those locations. You are looking at one in the kick panel inside the truck and also a relay under the hood in the power distribution box.


That is probably what you are missing to activate the rest of the connections at the 7 pin.


Do you have a 4 pin connector also? Usually a really small trailer may use a 4 pin as well.

 

I will see if I can find the owners manual and check to see if I have the appropriate fuses.

In further research I have learned that the owners manual does not show an undocumented fuse location on the 1998 F150.

I will check all locations once I find my owners manual.

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

I could not find a 1998 manual but here is a 1999 and should be good enough.


Owner Manuals | fleet.ford.com


Page 151 indicates your fuse panel in the cab is on the drivers side kick panel.

 

Fuse 23 on the kick panel, likely that one is ok.

 

I did some further checking and sure enough, there are 2 fuse boxes that are not documented in the manual. One is located in back of the Power Distribution Box and the other is located behind that close to the wheel well.

I checked the fuse in the box next to wheel well and it is blown. No idea why as I have never used the towing connector.

I still have to check the one in the Power Distribution Box. It is a 20A fuse in location 1. The manual says not to remove high power fuses without disconnecting the battery. Is this 20amp fuse considered high power?

Images attached

 

I would disconnect the battery for any of the fuses in the power distribution box.

 

many smaller trailers have 4 pins and Reese Towpower 74607 7-Way to 4-Way Flat Blade Wiring Adapter make it easy to convert it