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Trailer Brake Wiring

25K views 17 replies 6 participants last post by  cozzb 
#1 ·
1996 XLT

I have an aftermarket plug and play kit to give me a 4 pin connector. I've installed a 7 blade RV connector. There is a plug on the frame for a brake controller, but I cannot locate any aftermarket plug that allows me to use the factory plug and then run the wires down to my new 7 blade RV connector.

I'd rather not splice into it, its there, might as well do it correctly. Worst comes to worst, I'll find a factory RV connector in the yard and cut off the plug end I need, but I thought a cheap aftermarket solution might exist.

I would just find a stock connector to use, but I already have a 7 blade RV AND 4 pin together with no adaptor, which is pretty convenient.
 
#2 ·
You got me lost. You have a plug on the frame for a brake controler or is it under the dash?



Just use your plug for the 4 pin connector to get your tail and brake lights, then run a wire for the brakes, accessory and reverse lights if you want them. Use a heavy ground wire too since you have the brake wire. The ground wire for the 4 pin is not heavy enough.
 
#3 ·
If it came with the "Trailer Package", there is a plug for the brakes under the center of the dash, and there should be a pigtail that plugs into it that came with it. The loose ends of that connector go to your vehicle trailer brake unit (not supplied).
It that pigtail is missing, I think the easiest way to get it would be to go new Ford part. Can't be that expensive.

As far as at the back, all the lights and the brake control wiring should be going into one, 7-blade connector from the truck and plug into a matching 7-blade connector at the trailer.

Or am I not understanding something?
 
#4 ·
yo,

As Treeline cited;
from; 1996 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-Super Duty Chassis Cab, Motorhome Chassis, and Bronco Workshop Manual

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Trailer Towing Package Wiring
Vehicles equipped with the trailer towing package have the following additions to support the trailer wiring:

A set of relays in engine control sensor wiring (12A581) (Bronco) or engine compartment (14A346) (F-Series) and connector on the rear lamp wiring (14405), located in the rear bumper area.
The trailer feed wiring (13A576) is supplied with the vehicle and installed at the time of pre-delivery.
Vehicles are equipped with a wiring feed, located under the instrument panel, for a trailer brake control unit.

Trailer Tow Wiring (Rear Frame), Bronco

Item Part Number Description
1 13A409 Wiring Assembly
2 N801846-S36MG Screw
3 14405 Wiring Assembly
4 — Locators, Position in Holes Provided (Part of 14405)
5 — Trailer Tow Ground Wire (Part of 14405)
6 14086 Wiring Assembly
A — Tighten to 5-7 Nm (44-62 Lb-In)


Trailer Tow, Bronco

Item Part Number Description
1 — Locator, Position in Hole Provided (Part of 13A576)
2 — Rear Crossmember
3 — To 14086 Wiring Assembly
4 12964 Adapter (Kit Stowed in Vehicle for Customer Installation)
5 N806820-S55 Tapping Screw
6 13A576 Wiring Assembly
7 — Locator (Not Used) (Part of 13A576)
8 — To 13A409 Wiring Assembly
9 17906 Bumper
10 14405 Wiring Assembly
A — Tighten to 22-28 Nm (16-21 Lb-Ft)


Instrument Panel Wiring Installation, F-150, F-250, F-350 and Bronco (Gasoline Engines)


Item Part Number Description
1 — To Headlamp Switch
2 — To Fuse Box
3 14A282 Retainer Assembly
4 N606678-S39 Screw
5 — Connector (Part of 12A581)
6 — Connector (Part of 14A504)
7 13A506 Locator, Position in Hole Provided
8 — To Park Signal Lamp Switch
9 — To Multi-Function Switch
10 — To Stoplight Switch
11 — Clip (Part of 14401)
12 — E4OD Pigtail (Part of 14401)
13 — To Ignition Switch and Steering Column Wiring
14 — To 14405
15 — To Starter Switch Clutch Interlock
16 — Take-Out to Shift on the Fly Switch and Electric Defrost Switch (Part of 14401)
17 — To Warning Buzzer Chime
18 — Remote Keyless Entry Programming Connector
19 15K602 Remote Keyless Entry Module
20 — Air Bag Module
21 14A163 Retainer Assembly
22 — To Trailer Brake Controller
23 14A099 Shield
24 — Vacuum Hose Clip (Part of Vacuum Harness)
25 — Ashtray Wiring (Part of 13726)
26 15A044 Cigar Lighter
27 — PSOM Test Circuit (Part of 14401)
28 — To Bowden Cable
29 18813 Radio Antenna
30 — Brake Anti-Lock Module Test Circuit (Part of 14401)
31 — To 14630
32 — To 14B095
33 — To 18A586
34 — To Right Courtesy Lamp Switch
35 — To Inertia Switch
36 14463 To Ground
37 — To Clearance Lamp F-Series Only for Continuation
38 — Wiper Control Module
39 2C018 Rear Brake Anti-Lock Module (F-150, F-250, F-350 Only)
40 — To Glove Box Lamp
41 — To Heater Mode Switch
42 — To A/C Illumination
43 — To A/C Blower Switch
44 — To Power Point
45 — To Radio
46 18B849 Premium Sound Amplifier
47 14B166 Shift on the Fly Switch
48 — To 14A262 Electric Defrost (Bronco Only)
49 14401 Wiring Assembly
50 — To Cluster (Plug A)
51 — To PSOM
52 — To Cluster (Plug B)
53 14B155 Cap
54 04320 Instrument Panel
55 9A050 Dual Fuel Tank Switch (F-Series Only)
56 14529 Rear Window Control Switch (Bronco Only)
57 — Demister Hose
58 — To Glove Box Lamp


Dash Panel and Relay Wiring, F-Series with Trailer Tow Package


Item Part Number Description
1 12A581 Wiring Assembly
2 12A581 To Powertrain Control Module (Except Diesel)
3 N801817-S2 Screw
4 12A581 Power Distribution Box, Wiring Assembly
5 — Locator, Position in Hole Provided
6 14405 Wiring Assembly
7 — Cap (Dual Rear Wheels Without Trailer Tow) (Part of 12A581)
8 — Cap (Bronco, Diesel or F-Series with Daytime Running Lamps, Without Trailer Tow)


Electrical Schematics, Trailer Towing Package Wiring


Multi-Function Switch


Trailer Adapter Connector

Pin Number Circuit Circuit Function
1 963 (BK/LB) Trailer Backup Lamps
2 49 (O) Trailer Battery Charge
3 64 (DG) Trailer RH Turn Signal
4 43 (DB) Trailer Brakes
5 206 (W) Trailer Ground
6 52 (Y) Trailer LH Turn Signal
7 962 (BR/W) Trailer Running Lamps

Relay Connectors

Pin Number Circuit Circuit Function
86 298 (P/O) Fuse to Relay Coil
87 37 (Y) Fuse to Relay Switch
87a — Not Used
30 49 (O) Relay Switch to Trailer Battery Charge
85 57 (BK) Ground



Pin Number Circuit Circuit Function
86 140 (BK/PK) Backup Lamps to Relay Coil
87 37 (Y) Fuse to Relay Switch
87a — Not Used
30 963 (R/Y) Relay Switch to Trailer Backup Lamps
85 57 (BK) Ground
 
#5 ·
I have factory wiring for a brake controller. It starts under the dash and runs all the way back to the driver side frame rail where it ends in an unconnected plug.

So I have two plugs back there, one has 4 wires and is for a normal 4 pin connector. This second plug has the three other wires needed for a brake controller to give you all connections needed in a 7 blade RV connector.

My Bronco did not have the towing package. In Miesk's second picture, you can see where the factory RV connector ends at the frame with two connectors, I have an aftermarket harness for one of them and need a harness for the other.

Thanks for the pics miesk.
 
#6 ·
#7 ·
Its $116 from Ford. The one I currently have has a 7 Blade RV and 4 pin connector togethter, no adaptor needed.

I'm trying to use that. I already have the brake controller adaptor that plugs under the dash.
 
#8 ·
Find the 7 blade plug from one with tow package at salvage yard. (The outside part under bumper)

Try an F250 or 350 will prob have it still there. It has the whole plug and then the connector that bolts to bumper. Then u can use a 7 to 4 pin adapter if you tow a 4 pin at any point. Otherwise use a test light and pin out the connector and splice under truck.
 
#9 ·
Then u can use a 7 to 4 pin adapter if you tow a 4 pin at any point. Otherwise use a test light and pin out the connector and splice under truck.
Thats the whole point, I do not want to splice. I have a 7 AND 4 pin connector that are side by side already in place. No adaptor needed.

There is a female plug there, I just need to find the male end.
 
#10 ·
Right - so look for the right male connector on a tow package truck and lop off the end and splice it into your 7 and 4 pin connectors that exist then plug it into your factory harness. Ford won't have the correct plug connector avail anymore. so its the whole thing or find a used one and steal the male connector.
 
#15 ·
Ya on second thought its all wrong. Yours and mine have two smaller 4 pin connectors. I did find this thread but have not found the connectors that are one sided, only the one that plugs inbetween. If you could find one of the one s that plugs in and goes to a 4 pin you could splice into the 7 pin between two connectors along with the 4 pin and get what you want as the poster suggests.

http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2153759&postcount=1

Full thread here
http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2153759
 
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