Trailer lights not working

[admsbmr]

I have a 06 4.0 with the factory class III tow package, just bought this last month and it looks like it never towed a thing in its life (no paint scuffs or rust in the hitch) I hooked up my trailer and the lights didn’t work, the brake controller I installed did work however. I have checked all the fuses and they are all good it looks as if the relays are there and intact, I know it’s not the trailer because I tried the my other one and came out with the same result. Any help on this will be much appreciated.

 

[edwx]

I tow next to nothing, but the one time I needed to tow something with my last Explorer, the inside of the electrical plug-in for the trailer was caked with white powdery junk. It took a little time to clean it out, but it worked after that. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Sounds like a bad connection on the 4 pin connector, maybe the ground.

 

[admsbmr]

Here is what i have at the plug I have trailer brakes, battery charge and reverse lights. What I don't have is left and right turn, brake and runing lights. all the connecters are clean and tight at the rear of the truck, I have power to the fuses and relay under the hood and under the dash, is there another relay that is "hidden" somewhere that controls the actual lights? Thanks for the help so far, I am looking forward to getting this thing worked out.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Are you using the 4 pin connector on the hitch or the 7 pin (I have never used the 7 pin on the front of the hitch only the 4 pin mounted on the bottom)? Honestly, I think that the guys over in the towing section will be able to help you out the most.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Just quickly looking over in the tow rig section it sounds like the problem might be the at the factory brake controller adapter. The vehicle came with an adapter for hooking up a trailer brake controller and if that was not used then that is where your problems are. The adapter is not installed from the factory, but left in the vehicle jack compartment in the rear for the owner to install if they decide to use the 7 pin connector.

 

[admsbmr]

after i removed the panel that covers the subwoofer I discovered one of the connections was never plugged in. now its connected and everything works like a charm, I guess it was someones day off the day my Explorer was made . Thanks for all the help and suggestions on what it could be you guys are the best.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Glad you were able to track it down... wow, that connector is the last spot I would have thought to check.