Troubleshooting Brake Lights and Turn Signals on 2000 Ford Excursion With 7-Way

Question:

when i hook -up 2000 ford excursion to rv, i have tail lights,but no brake turn signals. the ford has 7 prong connector,which i had checked for power.i was told it has power. bought adapter so i could hook it up to rv. but still only have tail lights. i have 2000 ford excursion v10. ihooked rv to another car and everything worked.

asked by: Charlie

Expert Reply:

Since everything worked when you hooked up your trailer to another vehicle we know the issue is with your 2000 Ford Excursion. The most likely issue is that you have a blown or missing fuse so check Fuse Location 13 in the Passenger Compartment Fuse Panel and replace as needed. I do recommend checking your owner's manual to confirm this is the location.

You will also want to check your Excursion's plug for corrosion, which can be green or white in color. A build-up of corrosion can interfere with the signals getting through the connectors so if it is present you will need to either replace the plug or clean the corrosion and be sure to use Dielectric Grease # LT37534 in the future to help stop any future corrosion.

An important issue you will also want to take a look at are the ground connections, as they can be the cause of numerous lighting problems. You'll want to make sure your grounds are securely attached to bare metal surfaces free of any paint, dirt or corrosion of any kind. Also check your wiring thoroughly to ensure there are none that are crimped, broken or otherwise damaged. I've added links to a pair of help articles on trailer wiring that you may also find useful.

expert reply by: Kyle S