Aftermarket Vehicle Harness Only Running Lights Work On 2011 Ford Escape

Question:

I went to order one of these as I have a 2011 Ford Escape that didn’t have the “tow package”…I then realized my vehicle had already been outfitted with this exact harness. No lights worked with trailer. I changed the fuse in the yellow sleeve next to the battery and the running lights came on, but the brake and signal lights did not. I replaced and re-soldered the end connector because the old had corrosion to no avail. I have power going into the control box on all fronts but the only power coming out is for the running lights. Can I replace just that part? How do I test it?

asked by: Nick

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have done all the testing that you can do. You have proven that you have power going to the converter from the battery and power coming from the taillights into the converter. With having power going into all the correct circuits and only the running lights coming out on the 4-way it has to be a bad converter. It is an electrical component and may have become overheated or damaged internally for a number of reasons.

I recommend replacing the entire T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118551 with a Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness # HM11140495. I have personally had better experience from Hopkins wiring than Tekonsha with the vehicle wiring harnesses. Both these kits use the same connections and it should be very easy to swap out your damaged harness.

expert reply by: Bud M