Trailer light problem when I plug into my 2002 Explorer.

[allstar]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[A Wise Guy]

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]

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!