Expert Answers about Ford Explorer

• Diagnosing Trailer Wiring Problem When Horse Trailer Lights Work With One Vehicle, But Not Another
• Your most likely culprit would be the ground connection on the horse trailer. Make sure that the grounding point on the trailer is securely fastened, and is free of corrosion. When this trailer is being used on the Suburban, it is probably getting a ground connection through the trailer ball. The boat trailer will work fine with the Explorer because it most likely uses a continuous ground circuit instead of using the trailer frame as a portion of the ground circuit. Trying different...
  view full answer...


• What to Test When a Brake Controller Blows a 30A Fuse on a 2017 Explorer
• I did find one other instance where this fuse was blown before a controller was installed. However, if your Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 is blowing the brake controller fuse, there may actually be an issue with the controller. I do not suggest installing a higher amperage fuse as there is the possibility of damaging the vehicle. What I suggest doing is unplugging just the controller, leaving the pigtail # 3035-P installed, and then replacing the 30A fuse. From there you will need to test...
  view full answer...


• Hopkins Reliance E1 Error Code Appears After Display Ramps Up Power to Trailer Brakes
• The E1 error code on the Reliance brake controller indicates that a trailer is not connected. If the trailer IS connected and you get the E1 code, a probable cause is a dirty trailer connector. Check the trailer connector on the trailer and on the vehicle. Clean out any dirt or corrosion. Corrosion can build up behind the connectors where the wires attach as well. The numbers counting up is normal on a time-delay brake controller. It is counting up to full power. It can be adjusted how...
  view full answer...


• 118540 Trailer Harness on 2019 Ford Explorer Causing Blind Spot/Cross Traffic Monitor Malfunction
• Per our records, you purchased the # 118540 harness. I checked with my contact at Tekonsha, who tells me that it sounds as if you have the # 118540 harness you purchased plugged into the wrong connector under the vehicle. There is a gray connector and a black connector. The # 118540 should be plugged into the black connector. If it's plugged into the gray connector, it would cause problems such as those you described.
  view full answer...


• 1998 Ford Explorer or Expedition Trailer Wiring Not Working
• I would start out by testing the vehicle wiring connector. Disconnect the trailer and use a circuit tester, like part # 3808, to test the 4 way wiring on the Explorer or Expedition. You should see an exposed male connection point that is the ground circuit. Next to the exposed terminal there is a female connection that is the taillight circuit. Next to that is the left turn and brake circuit. Finally on the far side is the right turn and brake circuit. If all of the circuits are working...
  view full answer...


• Lamp Out Warning on 2020 Ford Explorer when LED Hitch Cover Attached
• I have a solution for you, so never fear-we've actually seen this before on the newer Ford trucks, which will have the same lamp out detection system. If you are getting an error code on your 2020 Ford Explorer when using the Ford LED Lighted Trailer Hitch Cover # CR-007F it's most likely reacting to the lower amp draw from the LED light and the computer is sensing that a lamp might potentially be burnt out, but it also could just be corrosion on the 4way. I would start by making sure...
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Dim Lit Optronics LED RV Interior Light # RVILL34
• I attached a picture of how bright the Optronics LED RV Interior Light # RVILL34 should be. As dim as your are in the picture you submitted makes me think that you either have a bad ground on your assembly or the power source you are using isn't 12 volts. Is it possible your trailer is 6 volts? I kind of doubt it is since you said it was made in 2007. Use a volt meter # PT89ZR to test the power wire you are using to verify that you are getting full 12 volts at the lights. You could even...
  view full answer...


• Battery Draining When Flat Towing a 2014 Ford Explorer Behind a Motor Home
• There isn't a fuse bypass that is confirmed to fit your 2014 Ford Explorer. The owners manual does state that having the vehicle in the accessory mode can drain the battery. It mentions that you will need to start and allow the vehicle to run for 5 minutes at the start of the day and at 6 hour intervals. This should allow the alternator to charge the battery. You may find that you will need to do this more frequently than every 6 hours if you continue to have issues.
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Tekonsha T-One Harness 118540 In 2016 Ford Explorer Only Powering Trailer Tail Light
• The Tekonsha T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118540 you installed in your 2016 Ford Explorer without the factory Tow Package is compatible with trailers that have incandescent or LED lights so that will not cause any issues. On some Explorers there are two connectors, a grey one and black one. When you installed the # 118540 did you notice if there was more than on connector? If there was you will need to connect into the black connector. Installing the connector in the wrong factory connector...
  view full answer...


• 2015 Ford Explorer Exhaust Hanger Makes Contact with Trailer Hitch
• If there is no noise from the contact between the exhaust hanger and the hitch then you don't have to do anything. If there is noise or you just want some more space then there are some things you can do to create more space. I have included a link to a help article that covers the different methods you could employ. If all else fails then a muffler shop would be able to take care of the issue pretty easily since they have the tools and the know-how to work on exhaust systems. I doubt...
  view full answer...


• Trailer Right Turn and Brake Lights Not Working When Connected to 1997 Ford Explorer
• Since you have indicated that the right turn and stop light circuits work on the vehicle the next step is to test the connector on the vehicle side using a circuit tester like # PTW2993. If the circuit is working there as well, then the problem is on the trailer. If it is not, then the problem is on the vehicle. If it is not working on vehicle connector and the connector is factory, then you may have some relays or fuses blown or missing that need to be replaced. Check your owner's manual...
  view full answer...


• Improper Ground Connection Causing Lights to Malfunction on Utility Trailer
• Have you grounded the white wire to the tongue of the trailer? Check that connection, if it is loose or the point where the ground is connected is corroded, you will not have a sufficient ground connection which can cause the problems you are describing. The white wire from the trailer connector should be grounded to the trailer, and the light fixtures themselves are grounded by their physical connection to the trailer frame.
  view full answer...


• Not Getting Running Lights to the Trailer Connector on a 2001 Explorer Sport
• Though we will not have factory wiring diagrams, I am pretty sure I know what is going on and this should be a quick and easy fix. In the passenger compartment fuse box of your 2001 Ford Explorer, there should be a 15A in position 30. This port will handle the park lamp / trailer tow relay and should be all you need to get everything up and running properly. However, in the off chance this does not get you power to the running lamps, let me know and we can try a few other things.
  view full answer...


• Recommended Lube for Pop & Lock Power Lock Conversion Kits
• I spoke with Pop and Lock about the Pop & Lock Power Lock Conversion Kit for Truck Caps part # PAL9772 and they as well seem to think the issue was with a lack of lubrication. The recommended type of lubrication is graphite compound.
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Radiator Leak in my 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0
• It's tough to pinpoint an exact leak in your radiator, but it could be the fluid return line. If anything, it may be leaking in the radiator. The factory cooler is inside the radiator. Transmission coolers such as # D13503 will not be inside a radiator. They attach in-line with the transmission fluid return line. The usual spot a supplemental transmission cooler is mounted to is in front of the AC condenser or at least in between the air conditioning condenser and the radiator itself....
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Dragging and Overheating Disc Brakes on Trailer
• Your trailer's disc brakes will certainly warm up with use but the type of dragging and heat you're describing is definitely not normal. When this type of problem occurs it's typically the result of a bad brake caliper on one or more of the assemblies. I recommend removing the caliper and rotor and taking the pads out from the caliper for inspection. If you find they are in need of replacement I will be happy to make a specific recommendation if you can tell me the brand and weight capacity...
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Trailer Passenger Side Stop Turn Circuit Not Functioning
• First thing I would do is ask your buddy what all he messed with, if you can get him to undo the damage he did to your trailer you will be in better shape. It sounds like the original problem you had was just a bad ground on the passenger stop/tail light. Typically light assemblies ground through their mounting hardware so ensuring this light is attached to a clean metal surface would be a great place to start and would most likely fix the problem. I attached a trailer wiring diagram for...
  view full answer...


• Trailer Brakes Get Stuck and Overheat
• The P2 # 90885 has not been around for 15 years. You might have the original Prodigy # 90185. The sure way to know is the display. If the display is blue, its a P2. If the display is red, it is a Prodigy. There are a lot of moving parts in electric drum brakes. They could get stuck if the return springs are bound up or corroded or if something needs some lubrication. Nine times out of ten, it is a brake issue. But it could be electrical further back than the brake controller. The first...
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Trailer Lights That Dont Work
• In many cases a bad ground is to blame for this type of issue, but in order to determine the specific problem you'll need to use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the connector on your Explorer after disconnecting it from your trailer. Check the wiring going into your harness from your taillights to see if those wires are carrying the correct signals, if not then the issue is with the vehicle wiring. If the signals going to your harness are okay, you'll need to test the signals...
  view full answer...


• Troubleshooting Curt Wiring Harness # C56172 Installed in 2013 Ford Explorer
• You can check your engine compartment fuse box to see if any fuse/relay locations labeled trailer or towing are blown or just missing and install as needed with the value specified. According to my research there are left and right trailer tow relays required; these are installed near the center of the box. The Curt 4-pole wiring harness # C56172 is a confirmed fit for your 2013 Ford Explorer and its installation is shown in the linked video. You need to ensure you have fully seated the...
  view full answer...