Okay... whew. I've read every post in this thread and have a few questions for those of you experiencing this issue. I've had one anomalous signal on the dash like what you've described - I've bought my 2017 F350 Lariat DRW gasser about 6 months ago and want to make sure I get ahead of this. Thanks and good luck. I don't envy you guys being w/o your trucks like that and getting the run around.

1. I've seen 2 different pictures of locations for the connector in question - are these the connectors to remove the tailgate or are they the connectors on the other side (passenger side)?
2. Have any of you having the significant issues ever disconnected/connected these connectors prior to experiencing issues (feel free to PM me)?
3. DiElectric grease - when you say to push it liberally into both sides of the connector, do you mean to get it down into the pins?? If you leave it gooped in, won't it short out between the pins just like water would have?
4. From what I can gather from the pics, it seems only diesels are having the significant issues? Is that true or are any of you getting yanked around by Ford driving gassers like me?
   1. SRW only or DRW's too?

 

Dielectric grease is not supposed to conduct electricity. As long as the contact between the male/female part of the pins is firm the grease will not inhibit the connectivity. Here is a link to more info on dielectric grease: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silico...lectric_grease

 

1) I found the one connector attached to the passenger side frame, just aft of the spare tire. Easy to access. Fortunately it looked nice & clean inside.
Look up behind the rear license plate area and you'll see the big round connector for the trailer plug. I greased that one also.
2) The one on the frame did not come apart easily, but it did come apart. The trailer plug easily popped off after depressing the tab on the side.
3) I've loaded many plugs over the years with dielectric. It's never caused a problem with shorting or current crossing between the wrong connections.
4) I also have a 6.2/F250. As stated, I have had a one day issue with dash messages about trailer connections, but not the big problem with the other plug that others have. Hopefully now the problems will be avoided.

 

Another thread mentioned an additional connector above the gas tank.

 

There are some photos shown where the tank is seen laying on the shop floor. I don't see me dropping the gas tank. Probably no easy way to get at it.

 

My 2018 Raptor which I purchased in September of 2017 has experienced no electrical issues. It's been out 'wheeling a couple of times including crossing some mud holes up to the tops of the tires. The Raptor is rated for 32 inches of fording depth by Ford. Even with nominally 35" tires, that puts water at the top of the rear frame rails, meaning the main body harness would be in water or darn close to it. I don't think this is a widespread issue. The Ford harness is pretty much industry standard with modern connectors and split-shell sheathing. My 2017 Super Duty has the same basic harness. So does a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Having run some additional harness on the Super Duty to power strobe lights and a transfer tank pump, I can see Ford actually took effort to protect the harness from spray in several areas. Perhaps the OP's issue was unique in some manner, or the harness wasn't clipped tight or had some type of manufacturing defect. In any event, hopefully everyone affected can get the problem sorted out quickly.

 

 

 

 

P;ease give us an update on what the outcome was sir. I have a 2017 F-350 Lariat with only 2500 miles. I bought the 1st of August.

 

Please keep us updated on the outcome sir. I have the same truck as you with 2500 miles on it. It is not a daily driver.

 

Don't be naive. I understand the frustration, but your specific problem is not affecting 99.9% of the trucks out there. No automaker is perfect. GM knew about their ignitions that could shut off while driving and disable airbags...rather than fix the issue they chose to hide it. They also installed a transfer case in the GMT-800 trucks (1999-2006, including heavy duty) which had a poorly designed pump plate. Over time (less than 100k miles) the plate would "eat through" the transfer case housing, making a hole and causing the fluid to drain out, ruining the case. Unlike your issue, this is a very common problem on these trucks and GM refuses to even acknowledge it, let alone recall and fix. My 2005 GMC 3500 suffers from this problem right now.

Of course it is up to the dealers to fix the problem. The only responsibility Ford has is to try and get these harnesses in better supply.

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure you're putting your truck in more extreme conditions than others. My truck has been plowing snow all winter and running the heavily salted, slushy roads of new England. It also goes off road. I've got no issues. I'm still chalking it up to yours being somehow defective or poorly assembled at the factory.