Does a 2009 Ford Escape Use Relays and Fuses for the Factory Tow Package Wiring

Question:

Hi Michael .. On the Ford Escape 2009 ... with pre wired back harness ... in addition to the 3 required relay initially missing 5L3T-AA and/or 5L3Z14N089-AA does one need to install additional fuses ? like fuse #8 ? I installed 3 relays .. Tested their functionality ... they click when left /right turn signal engaged but nothing going out to the back connector . Perhaps the relay control works but the actual relay switch does not bring any power to the back ..maybe no power comes to the relay switch unless additional fuses required ? Any advise ?

asked by: Alex

Expert Reply:

If you check the owners manual for your 2009 Ford Escape, any relay or fuse that is associated with the tow package wiring will need to be present for the wiring harness to work. There are many vehicles that take both relays and fuses (Ford is one) to make the tow packages work. So it is very likely that you will need to add fuses if power is not getting back with just the relays.

A relay is more or less a switch. It is doing some regulating but not really doing the same job as a fuse.

expert reply by: Michael H