LED Trailer Hitch Cover Sending Turn Signal Light Bulb Is Out Message On 2016 Ford F-150 Lariat

Question:

I have a 2016 F 150 Lariat and when I have the light plugged in the truck tells me I have a trailer, and it turns off the backup assit then tells me the turn signal light bulb is out then it goes for a few stops then tells me the trailer is disconnected, the back up assit works then it starts all over after breaking a few timesI have a trailer..... this is driving me nuts!! any suggestions other than a trash can???

asked by: Bob L

Expert Reply:

On your 2016 Ford F-150 Lariat, the problem you are referencing with your Brake and Tail Light L.E.D. Trailer Hitch Cover # FHG72VR is only seen on certain vehicles. We normally see this issue with German vehicles when they try to tow a trailer with LED lights. The issue is that the lower amperage draw of the LED lights is just enough to confuse the vehicle that it is drawing too much and because of that it wants to tell you that you have a bulb out on your vehicle, then with no amperage for a little while that your trailer is disconnected.

Normally the fix for this is to use the # C35FR which has resistors in it that increase the amperage draw to what an incandescent bulb would draw on a trailer which eliminates the error message.

expert reply by: Jason S