12volt pin has no power
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4th Gear
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 4
12volt pin has no power
So I have an electric hitch jack that I put a 7way plug on that would run off my truck plug. I have no power to my 12 volt pin on outlet. Checked every fuse I could and all are good. Any ideas why I don’t have power to that pin?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 695
The short answer is, the 12 volt power pin does not have power until certain actions are taken. I don't recall all the actions but it is something like engine running and brake pressed once. I think the engine has to remain running for the 12v power to remain active. You can search this forum for the exact details or maybe another member will chime in with the details.
Edit: if you are just using a 7 pin connector to power the jack only and no other trailer circuits, you may not be able to get the 12v pin to energize.
Edit: if you are just using a 7 pin connector to power the jack only and no other trailer circuits, you may not be able to get the 12v pin to energize.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 568
From: Black Hills of SD
If you're using a hitch jack, wouldn't you have 12v power from your camper/RV battery? Unless you do not have it installed. what year truck do you have? I know my 2022 needs certain tasks in order to send power back to the camper. Like shawnee1 mentioned, there's posts here that explain this.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 546
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The trailer jack should be powered by the trailer batteries. The truck will not provide enough power to work the jack. Check the batteries
I believe the enegine has to be running and the truck in gear to send juice to the trailer and then it's barely enough to charge the batteries.
I believe the enegine has to be running and the truck in gear to send juice to the trailer and then it's barely enough to charge the batteries.
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4th Gear
Joined: May 2025
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Yes it is just a jack not connected to a trailer (the jack is removable) so it can be used on different trailers. My truck is a 2021 f450. I had a 2013 250 and it worked just fine. Didn’t know if ford changed something in the wiring or what
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,653
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From: Itinerant
I use my 4 pin connector at the rear bumper to power my 12v water pump and the running lights need to be on to give power.
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4th Gear
Joined: May 2025
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yes, truck is running, lights on, doors shut, you name it have done it
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Itinerant
Then it sound a multimeter is needed to insure power is live at the truck and then make sure the same plug connection is good.... continuity.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
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Just a thought, look at the size of wire coming off jack. Consider the size wire going to truck plug. My bet is, jack wire is much bigger, hense truck wire is not sufficient to carry the rated load. It might work, but yikes the consequences. I'd run a separate line from a better source for many reasons.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 908
Likes: 290
From: E TN
I don't know how your truck is wired, have an owners manual?? My F350 has to have the key on or be running to get 12v to the tailer connector and it is fuse protected and relay activated. I have a trailer with an electric jack and no battery and my trucks work it with no problems.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 546
Likes: 461
You need to pump the brakes or squeeze the brake controller with the engine running to activate the circuit. I think they do this to prevent the truck batts from being run down if you keep it plugged in overnight while not using it.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,739
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I'd be scared to run a jack directly from that source. That's more to replenish the battery that runs the jack than it is to run the jack by itself. On the older trucks it was easier to get away with if the wiring was up to it. Since this is controlled by logic, I'd be scared to ruin something expensive. Might be worth running a large (fused) 12V power connection to the back.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 908
Likes: 290
From: E TN
Most trucks have 100+ amp alternators, if your trailer battery is low how many amps are going to flow through the 7 pin connector to charge the trailer battery? I'm not scared of running my jack from my truck, circuit is fused at the trailer and fused at the truck.
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