Tow package, two plugs?

[BRipp]

Long time reader, first time poster. (get it? get it?) I recently bought a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer, 5.0 AWD, Tow Package, Air Ride (bumper fill currently) and a bunch of other stuff I haven't gotten into yet. Right now I'm trying to figure out what all it has wired, and what I need to add. I recently found a second plug for the 4 flat on the passenger side. Well, I think it is for a 4 Flat. Did the Mountaineer come with a pre-wired brake controller harness? I don't see them putting in two plugs that do the same thing. but if they did...well if they did i just have a backup plug i guess.

Also, shackle bushings suck...

 

[BRipp]

seeming to be a unique issue by the silence.

 

[the_don]

if it was prewired for a trailer brake controller, there should be a plug(maybe 2"x2") under the dash, driver side under the radio area, at least thats where it is in the '01 F150. as far as the two plugs behind the bumper, im not sure but i do know the first gens use a 7 pin plug, it takes the ground from the trailer light relays and loops them through the 7 pin round to 4 flat harness and back through the 7 pin to chassis ground so that the relays are inactive unless that short 7 round to 4 flat harness is connected.

 

[jamie3529gq]

two plugs

I just discovered this myself. My 01 Mountaineer has two plugs, one on each side, but they aren't the same. I bought the harness and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't fit, the little pins were in the wrong place. eTrailer comments had the explanation - there are two. Probably the passenger side one is for a 7 pin connector? Anyway, been there, done that. For me the driver's side plug worked for the 4 pin trailer connector harness. That, and making sure there is a fuse in the trailer relay spot. (mine was missing - its a 15A I think)

 

[BRipp]

I seem to recall a square plug under the dash that fits that description, but i can't find a 7 pin adapter that fits that other plug. was this an experiment by ford that was abandoned?

 

[Melon]

I would guess the plug under the dash is there for all Explorers and Mountaineers regardless as to whether they came with a factory towing package or not.

 

[BRipp]

Ok, so I did some digging today while replacing a shackle, (any advice on freeing a seized bolt would be appreciated.) I found that the driver's side plug is a standard 4 wire plug, but the passenger side plug is a 6 wire plug. none of the colors seem to coincide. but i can't find an adapter for the passenger side either.

any ideas?

Edit: apparently i can't post photos from google drive, i'll try and find an alternative.

 

[bill06447]

Ok, so I did some digging today while replacing a shackle, (any advice on freeing a seized bolt would be appreciated.)

$6.99 China Freight air hammer did the trick for me. That's after an overnight soak with Liquid Wrench/Kroil

Bill

 

[BRipp]

Air hammer worked, thanks for the suggestion. However, I am still pulling out my hair over this mysterious plug on my Mountaineer. It is just like the plug for the 4 flat, but has six wires and has a peg in a different spot. Is this even for towing or is it for some totally unrelated use? I can't even find a wiring diagram that includes it.

 

[the_don]

what color wires run to the 6-pin connecter?

 

[BRipp]

purple, green, white, blue, black, and orange.

 

[BRipp]

Never mind, pins don't line up. this is the plug I'm refering to

It looks like it fits into the non-ford end of that plug, but that is the end that is supposed to go to the controller.

This is really starting to eat away at me. I'm a little suprised that there isn't more information on either of these plugs online given the age of these vehicles.

 

[BRipp]

Problem solved, the plug on the passenger side is part of the harness for the rear bumper sensors in vehicles with backup warning. The plug mentioned in the previous post connects to the cab interface. One vehicle harness, lots of options.