Trailer Wiring Harness for 2018 Ford Escape Draws Power Without Trailer Hooked Up

Question:

My new AGM battery is going dead, especially when it is cold. The ford dealer traced it to the trailer harness. They remove the fuse and there is zero draw on the battery, they put it in and there is a spike. Any idea what is wrong or what is going on or how to stop the draw on the battery when the car is off? The harness is a Curt. Thanks

asked by: Bruce H

Expert Reply:

The trailer wiring harness, if functioning correctly, will not draw power from the battery on a 2018 Ford Escape until a trailer is attached with the signals activated. If you find this to be incorrect then there's an issue with the converter box on the trailer wiring harness. Therefore it would need to be replaced and I recommend the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector part # 118715 for this as it's our most reliable option for this vehicle. This harness does attach to the battery for powering the trailer tail lights but there should be no draw on the battery unless hooked up to a trailer with the lights active.

expert reply by: Conner L