Troubleshooting Trailer Wiring Harness on 2005 Ford Escape

Question:

I have a 2005 Ford Escape. I bought a trailer wiring kit from your company last year. Lights worked fine all of last year. Went out today and plugged the trailer connector into the vehicle connector after the winter. I did not get any lights at all. I tried it with another trailer and had the same results...no lights. Im not getting any power to the vehicle plug itself. Some of the reviews said that the wiring harness would only last a season. I hope this isnt the case.

asked by: Steve B

Expert Reply:

It is absolutely not true that the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # 118426 you ordered from us should/would only last one season. That wiring harness should last for years without issue if it is installed correctly and properly stored. It sounds like you may have a fuse that has blown, so I recommend first checking the in-line fuse of your power wire to your battery and then checking your owner's manual for other fuse locations for trailer lighting.

To test your wiring, I recommend disconnecting the trailer and using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to test each function of your 4-way. It is possible that you have a bad connection at the contact points of the harness, but I recommend checking the ground wire first. The white wire with the ring terminal needs to be connected to bare metal without rust or corrosion. I've attached an article to assist further.

expert reply by: Jason S