I have a 2003 E-350 without the towing package. It comes with the standard 4-pin trailer connector. I would like to turn it into a 7-pin so as to add a brake controller.

It appears I am good to go up front as there is a connector for the controller (it's located under the dash, back left-hand side, taped to the big wire bundle.

What should I do in the rear? An article on etrailer.com said to follow the 4-pin wiring back towards the front until you come to a connector. There would be an additional two wires. I see the connector but no extra wiring. Is it just buried? Has anyone done this? I would appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

 

Click on my screen name and find posts by al_e._gator. You'll find much discussion on this subject including directions for install if your van doesn't already have the other two wires. The connector you are looking for are located right behind the rear axle, next to the connector that goes to your four wire pigtail. If you have it there will be a white ground wire leading from the connector to the frame. Not all vans have this connector.

 

the ford tow package comes with the 7 pin i thought?

 

The Ford tow package probably does come with the 7-pin, but I don't have the tow package. All I Have is the 4-pin.

 

Thanks for the pointer to the previous thread. After laying under my van for a while I'm convinced that I don't have the extra three wires running to the rear, and will get some 12 guage wire, etc. to try your advice.

Thanks.

 

Well, I've run into a problem. I wired everything according to al_e.gator's previous posts (connector C110: pin #1 = brakes). I am unable to get the brake controller to signal the trailer brakes.

I pulled C110 apart and used a multimeter on pin #1 but don't see any current when the brake controller is applied. I happened to notice on the front-end of C110 that pin #1 has an orange wire coming in. Don't know if anyone else noticed, or if this even matters. I've got a big blue wire going out from the brake controller connector under the dash, so I was expecting a blue wire coming into C110 I guess.

I've checked under the hood and do have a 20AMP fuse for the brake controller.

I'm running out of ideas as to what is wrong. Any thoughts?

Tom

 

First you should recheck your pin numbers, per the manual pin 1 should be dark blue and pin 9 should be orange and is for trailer battery charge. On the fuse, the 2004 wiring manual says that it should be F10 under the hood and it should be 30A not 20A. Hope this helps get you on the road.

 

Sorry to tag onto such an old post, but this has been extremely helpful for me. I'm having trouble taking apart the C110 connector. I can get the male and female ends separated, but am I also supposed to take apart the male end to punch the holes out? Also, when I take out the red plastic clips, does the connector need to remain with the posts facing up? Any tips would be greatly appreciated, this post is EXTREMELY helpful, thank you so much.