How do I Identify a electrical connector?

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Apr 10, 2006 | 04:58 PM

99F150

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 1,344

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From: Sioux Falls SD

How do I Identify a electrical connector?

I have a 1999 Ranger Super Cab, it came from Ford with a Flat four trailer wire connector. My StarCraft tent camper has a 7 pin round hook up, no adapters are available to go down from 7 to 4.

I took the spare tire down the other day and noticed a round grey connector that was capped. The pigtail it is attached to is about 6 inches long, it comes from the main harness for lights etc. and the connector is located in the spare tire well at the rear. How do I identify it? I would like to know what it is for so That I may get the male end to plug in to hopefully use for power, back up and electric brake wires with out tapping in somewhear or running wires from the front. My local dealer was no help, they farmed me from service to body shop to parts all with a blank stare..
Service says if I can identify it they can tell me what the wires are for.
Thanks

Apr 10, 2006 | 05:21 PM

RangerPilot

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Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)

Our local Walmart has an adaptor that turns 4 to 7 to all the other ones. I can't remember the price off the top of my head. It's in the automotive section near the lights, like the random replacement stock lights, not the bulbs.

RP
Zach

Apr 10, 2006 | 11:02 PM

99F150

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 1,344

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From: Sioux Falls SD

Thanks, I can get one of those kits for $10-14 but you still need to provide a power wire, BAck up light wire and electric brake wire to make the 7 pins. I am thinking that the unused connector may have at least the power wire that would already be fused and at the back of the truck, rather than running a wire from the battery. I don't want to tap into that connector if it is something like a diag. port or abs wires.

Apr 10, 2006 | 11:50 PM

Rangerman Stan

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Joined: Feb 2006

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From: SE Michigan

Wires that far back in the harness shouldn't be part of the diag. system or the abs. The abs runs to the rear differential and the diag port is under the hood. You could use a wire tester with a light to test the plug.

Apr 11, 2006 | 08:09 AM

99F150

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2002

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From: Sioux Falls SD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangerman Stan

I will have to use a tester to check for power, but with out knowing what the connector is used for I cannot get a pig tail to plug into it from Ford. I am starting to wonder if that connector is used on the explorer, since no one seems to know what it is used for on a Ranger?