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I keep getting message that trailer is connected and then disconnected on info screen. Gets annoying while driving and not pulling a trailer. Anybody have any suggestions as to why I’m getting this?
Common problem. There's a plug near the spare tire that feeds the trailer plug on your rear bumper. Pop it apart, make sure there's no moisture or debris in there and then pack it with dielectric grease.
The 7/4 pin wire harness that you plug a trailer into has gotten water in the plug behind the bumper. I had to drop down the spare tire, unplug the wire harness and remove the entire part. I was under warranty so I exchanged the part at the dealer and I reinstalled. You can try removing the part, cleaning it, add dielectric grease and reinstall. Cleaning or replacement will solve your issue. If you try to just clean where a trailer plugs in, it will be a temporary fix and the issue will come back. Ford did not make the wire harness water proof and did not add dielectric grease to the trailer plug since the 2015 F-150s and has been a very common problem.
While you have the spare tire dropped, add dielectric grease to the two main wire harnesses that are attached to the passenger side frame rail too.
The photo is the part you have to remove to clean or replace. Dealers choice. (May not be exact part - generic photo used)
Thanks, of course I have 38,000 miles on the truck so I guess it’s just another out of pocket expense. Sad since I have only put 200 miles on the truck
Thanks, of course I have 38,000 miles on the truck so I guess it’s just another out of pocket expense. Sad since I have only put 200 miles on the truck
Mine had 700km on it when the same problem happened. It’s was so annoying but that issue is what made me join this forum and start researching these fords. Ended up being well worth it from the knowledge I gained.
This happened on my 17’ but it was on the main exterior portion of the plug, not at the connection behind the bumper. The female portion of the trailer plug was full of water so when I hooked up the truck and started driving I kept getting the connected/disconnected message, like others I just sprayed dielectric grease into the plug, hasn’t happened since.
I’m having the exact same problem on my 18 F350, towed 600 miles to the U.P. of MI with no issues. All the way home I got left turn, right turn and could see the marker lights going on and off. Anyone else have problems with the 7 way plug fitting loose in the socket module? Rough roads and the lights would flash. It was daytime so I just shut them off. I’m towing an ‘18 Legend trailer that has never had an issue with lights
It seems to always be wet in there, snow, water and salt. How do you get the trailer to stop accumulating miles when disconnected? Is there a setting or is it supposed to know?
It seems to always be wet in there, snow, water and salt. How do you get the trailer to stop accumulating miles when disconnected? Is there a setting or is it supposed to know?
I changed out my 7/4 pin connector for the 7/10pin one that is used for the camera. (I have the camera but have not set it up on the trailer). I like this set up better because the 7pin cover flips upward instead of folding down. It allows for water, salt etc to drain out and the downward pressure on the trailer plug helps keep it in the socket better. It’s still lose and the odd time I get a warning but it has been a lot better.
To stop accumulating miles on the trailer when it’s disconnected, you should be able to go to towing setting on the dash info screen and select no active trailer or something like that. My truck always recognizes no active trailer when I unplug it but others have not been so lucky.
It seems to always be wet in there, snow, water and salt. How do you get the trailer to stop accumulating miles when disconnected? Is there a setting or is it supposed to know?
You have to go into the menu and disconnect it. Its pretty strange as my 2014 F250 used to recognize the trailer automatically on and off. This one is all manual. Further, the plug is up on the instep of the bumper with the cap opening down - I guess that so it can hold more salt and pour it into the connection? I had to rotate it myself...
Update for all...I took my air compressor to the trailer plug in and dried everything out. There was some moisture in there. After that was done I put grease on all the metal connector points. I have since driven a few trips with no trailer connect/disconnect messages. I will update if problem comes back.
Common problem. There's a plug near the spare tire that feeds the trailer plug on your rear bumper. Pop it apart, make sure there's no moisture or debris in there and then pack it with dielectric grease.
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