Trailer Running Lights Not Working when 2016 Ford Escape is Running

Question:

When my vehicle is on accessory all lights work. When I start the vehicle my running lights do not work. I test the plug on the vehicle IN ACCESSORY MODE and have 12 volts on the brown wire, green and yellow. When I start the vehicle I have no voltage on the brown wire but 12 volts on the green and brown wire. I tested the input on the modular and get 12 volts.

asked by: Melvin C

Expert Reply:

Do you know which wiring harness is on your 2016 Ford Escape? The Curt powered converters such as # C56335 have be known to have some issues similar to this but not exactly the same. There are ways to test to determine if the wiring harness is the problem.

Using a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 or a meter if you have one first start the vehicle (since the problem occurs when it is running). Then have some one sit in the vehicle and run through the light functions while you test the wires going into the wiring harness converter box from the vehicle. If all of the input wires only have power when the associated light circuit is activated then you can move on to the next step. If the wires do not have power at the right time then there is a problem between the vehicle and the converter. It could be a bent or broken pin in one of the connectors that plugs into the tail light wiring.

If everything is correct going into the converter do the same test only this time on the output wires. If the power output is not correct coming out then there is a problem inside the converter and the whole wiring harness will need to be replaced.

If everything were to function normally then the problem is on the trailer side. Most likely it is a short that is over drawing the tow package wiring. Inspect the trailer wiring and fix any broken or pinched wires. I have included some links that will also help.

expert reply by: Michael H