4 pin trailer connector

tracywilson · 06-28-2012, 01:16 PM

I have a 99 Ford Explorer sport 4x4 and need to replace the 4 pin trailer connector. U-Haul installed it the first time and hooked it up to the tail light wiring in the left tail light. I tried simply replacing it the way they had it hooked up and it just isn't working. Does anyone know the wiring schematic so I can get the boat lights working and legal?

There also seems to be some extra wires in the taillight that might have originally been a plug that somebody (maybe U-Haul ruined/cut off).

From the surfing I've done on the internet, it sounds like there's a plug somewhere underneath if your vehicle came with a tow package. Mine didn't. I had to have it installed after I bought it (used).

Thanks!

Tracy

*IAmTodd* · 06-28-2012, 01:57 PM

Welcome! First off the tow package didn't actually come with a hitch, it was more of a tow prep package. There should be a round connector below the drivers side taillight. You should be able to see it if you look up from the bottom if it is still there. Autozone sells the pigtail for around $15. Otherwise you'll need a controller box that will pick up the signal from your repsective lights, mesh them into the 3 channel connector needed for the trailer.

tracywilson · 06-29-2012, 11:07 AM

So U-Haul DID obliterate the pigtail that was supposed to be there. So you are saying I can buy the plug to replace what's not there? Will I be able to easily figure out which color goes where? That seems to be the mystery here.

*IAmTodd* · 06-29-2012, 01:13 PM

I think you need this if you existing wiring is damaged.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=182754_0_0_

*AJ@AutoAnything* · 06-29-2012, 01:41 PM

Welcome aboard!

rokr1292 · 06-29-2012, 02:51 PM

is the pigtail located in the same place on a first gen sport trac? my 4wire connectors been torn off a few times, and id like to get the factory-looking pigtail if i can

oh yeah, i forgot, Welcome!

tracywilson · 07-02-2012, 12:11 PM

Thanks, Todd. I'll give that a try.

*1ATony* · 07-02-2012, 02:02 PM

Welcome to the site

*IAmTodd* · 07-02-2012, 05:30 PM

Now that the welcome committee is out of the way....

good luck and report back with your findings.

tracywilson · 07-09-2012, 04:22 PM

Instead of ordering the part from the link above, Hoppy's told me to get part # 40315 for my 99 Ford Explorer Sport. Got it from Autozone. I was able to install it very easily on Saturday. All system's go. Thanks for all your help. Nice to not have to pay someone else to fix easy stuff like this.

06-28-2012, 01:16 PM	#1
tracywilson Wannabe Elite Explorer Petaluma, CA 1999 Ford Explorer Sport Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	4 pin trailer connector I have a 99 Ford Explorer sport 4x4 and need to replace the 4 pin trailer connector. U-Haul installed it the first time and hooked it up to the tail light wiring in the left tail light. I tried simply replacing it the way they had it hooked up and it just isn't working. Does anyone know the wiring schematic so I can get the boat lights working and legal? There also seems to be some extra wires in the taillight that might have originally been a plug that somebody (maybe U-Haul ruined/cut off). From the surfing I've done on the internet, it sounds like there's a plug somewhere underneath if your vehicle came with a tow package. Mine didn't. I had to have it installed after I bought it (used). Thanks! Tracy

06-28-2012, 01:57 PM	#2
IAmTodd Explorer Addict Johnstown, PA 1994 Explorer XLT Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,768 Vehicle Specs	Welcome! First off the tow package didn't actually come with a hitch, it was more of a tow prep package. There should be a round connector below the drivers side taillight. You should be able to see it if you look up from the bottom if it is still there. Autozone sells the pigtail for around $15. Otherwise you'll need a controller box that will pick up the signal from your repsective lights, mesh them into the 3 channel connector needed for the trailer. __________________ 1994 Explorer XLT \| M5R1 swap \| 2" Lift \| 32" ProComp Mud Terrains 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero \| 2.8 Full pressure turbo \| 6MT \| 280whp/325wtq

06-29-2012, 01:13 PM	#4
IAmTodd Explorer Addict Johnstown, PA 1994 Explorer XLT Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,768 Vehicle Specs	I think you need this if you existing wiring is damaged. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=182754_0_0_ __________________ 1994 Explorer XLT \| M5R1 swap \| 2" Lift \| 32" ProComp Mud Terrains 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero \| 2.8 Full pressure turbo \| 6MT \| 280whp/325wtq

06-29-2012, 01:41 PM	#5
AJ@AutoAnything EF Vendor + San Diego, CA 2005 Sport Trac Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 133 Vehicle Specs	Welcome aboard! __________________ Click ^banner^ and save up to 15% on Explorer mods and accessories. We price match, simply call 888-591-8563 or Live-Chat and we'll beat ANY price by $1.

06-29-2012, 02:51 PM	#6
rokr1292 Wannabe Elite Explorer richardsville va '01 Explorer Sport Trac Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 304 Vehicle Specs	is the pigtail located in the same place on a first gen sport trac? my 4wire connectors been torn off a few times, and id like to get the factory-looking pigtail if i can oh yeah, i forgot, Welcome! __________________ Gold 2003 Ranger regcab 2.3 xlt. (Old dd, handed off) Silver 2001 Explorer Sport Trac 4x4 (new dd as of 3/7/11) Last edited by rokr1292; 07-02-2012 at 06:44 PM.

06-29-2012, 11:07 AM	#3
tracywilson Wannabe Elite Explorer Petaluma, CA 1999 Ford Explorer Sport Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	So U-Haul DID obliterate the pigtail that was supposed to be there. So you are saying I can buy the plug to replace what's not there? Will I be able to easily figure out which color goes where? That seems to be the mystery here.

07-02-2012, 12:11 PM	#7
tracywilson Wannabe Elite Explorer Petaluma, CA 1999 Ford Explorer Sport Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks, Todd. I'll give that a try.

07-02-2012, 02:02 PM	#8
1ATony EF Vendor mass Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3,555 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to the site __________________ Tony 1A Auto Parts Call Me Direct 1-866-403-3393 Ford Explorer Parts

07-02-2012, 05:30 PM	#9
IAmTodd Explorer Addict Johnstown, PA 1994 Explorer XLT Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,768 Vehicle Specs	Now that the welcome committee is out of the way.... good luck and report back with your findings. __________________ 1994 Explorer XLT \| M5R1 swap \| 2" Lift \| 32" ProComp Mud Terrains 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero \| 2.8 Full pressure turbo \| 6MT \| 280whp/325wtq

07-09-2012, 04:22 PM	#10
tracywilson Wannabe Elite Explorer Petaluma, CA 1999 Ford Explorer Sport Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Instead of ordering the part from the link above, Hoppy's told me to get part # 40315 for my 99 Ford Explorer Sport. Got it from Autozone. I was able to install it very easily on Saturday. All system's go. Thanks for all your help. Nice to not have to pay someone else to fix easy stuff like this.

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