Trailer light problem when I plug into my 2002 Explorer.

allstar · 05-16-2010, 07:55 AM

If anyone has had this issue before or could help me find what the problem may be. I have a 2002 Ford Explorer, all lights on the vehicle work but when I try and hook up my trailer to it the lights come on but it appears that the break lights are being depressed. When I try and use the signal lights they do not work and the lights are always on even when I am not pressing on the break. But when I hook up the trailer to any other vehicle all trailer lights work fine. Help?

bcburlette · 05-16-2010, 09:12 AM

did you install/modify the towing wiring harness yourself(the one in the car, not the trailer)? it sounds like either you or the previous owner did. I would guess that the running lights are mixed up with the brake lights (since the brake lights are also the turn signals)

allstar · 05-16-2010, 09:32 AM

Thanks for replying bc. No I havent modified the wiring harness. I purchased an adaptor where I could connect to my trailer because it wasnt with the vehicle when I purchased it but cant figure out how to fix the problem.

**BrooklynBay** · 05-18-2010, 02:50 AM

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the towing section.

*A Wise Guy* · 05-18-2010, 10:22 PM

Try running a seperate ground wire from the truck to the trailer to see if that cleans things up. A bad ground can cause weird stuff to happen. If not at least you can rule it out.

lindazman · 06-30-2012, 11:01 PM

I have never towed with my 2002 explorer and when I plugged my boat trailer into my factory installed 7 pin adapter the lights didn't work. I have all the required relays and breakers, I have checked the fuses and it still doesn't work. Can anyone help with this problem? The trailer lights work when plugged into a friends adapter? At a loss now and I do not want to go to a dealer to have this fixed if I can help it!

05-16-2010, 07:55 AM	#1
allstar Wannabe Elite Explorer Cedar Hill, Tx. 2002 Ford Explorer Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Trailer light problem when I plug into my 2002 Explorer. If anyone has had this issue before or could help me find what the problem may be. I have a 2002 Ford Explorer, all lights on the vehicle work but when I try and hook up my trailer to it the lights come on but it appears that the break lights are being depressed. When I try and use the signal lights they do not work and the lights are always on even when I am not pressing on the break. But when I hook up the trailer to any other vehicle all trailer lights work fine. Help? Last edited by allstar; 05-16-2010 at 08:08 AM.

05-18-2010, 02:50 AM	#4
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,810 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the towing section. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

05-18-2010, 10:22 PM	#5
A Wise Guy Translator Extraordinaire McHenry, IL. '06 Limited Dark Cherry Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,727 Vehicle Specs	Try running a seperate ground wire from the truck to the trailer to see if that cleans things up. A bad ground can cause weird stuff to happen. If not at least you can rule it out. __________________ '06 Limited V8 Style K&N 77 Series Metal Intake, Magnaflow Cat Back, X-Cal 2, Tint up front... Searching and Posting starts here: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

06-30-2012, 11:01 PM	#6
lindazman Wannabe Elite Explorer Va.Beach,Va. 2002 XLT Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 14 Vehicle Specs	Same problem I have never towed with my 2002 explorer and when I plugged my boat trailer into my factory installed 7 pin adapter the lights didn't work. I have all the required relays and breakers, I have checked the fuses and it still doesn't work. Can anyone help with this problem? The trailer lights work when plugged into a friends adapter? At a loss now and I do not want to go to a dealer to have this fixed if I can help it! Last edited by lindazman; 07-01-2012 at 06:33 AM. Reason: spelling

05-16-2010, 09:12 AM	#2
bcburlette Wannabe Elite Explorer Texas 2001 Explorer Sport 2wd Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 261 Vehicle Specs	did you install/modify the towing wiring harness yourself(the one in the car, not the trailer)? it sounds like either you or the previous owner did. I would guess that the running lights are mixed up with the brake lights (since the brake lights are also the turn signals)

05-16-2010, 09:32 AM	#3
allstar Wannabe Elite Explorer Cedar Hill, Tx. 2002 Ford Explorer Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for replying bc. No I havent modified the wiring harness. I purchased an adaptor where I could connect to my trailer because it wasnt with the vehicle when I purchased it but cant figure out how to fix the problem.