Can NOT get trailer lights to work

[dodge man]

It looks like to me, but I’m not any where near certain, there should be some kind of retainer or clip. I‘m looking at your second pic at about the 11 o’clock position. Sometimes there is a little red clip or some other kind of retainer.

 

[herm0016]

you are missing the piece in the rectangle hole that clicks on to the socket. also, that ground pin is very corroded.

 

[tstex]

you are missing the piece in the rectangle hole that clicks on to the socket. also, that ground pin is very corroded.

Thank you guys.

Herm, do you have a pic of the piece that I am missing and how it attaches?

I am assuming that the part that keeps the two bodies tightly together, when it went missing, it allowed moisture inside the receptacle and corroded some of the pins.

Does anyone know what is involved to replace the receptacle? Would a new receptacle have the new/missing piece?

Thanks again.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve never seen the retaining clips for sale but they could be. I’ve seen several different styles so I don’t know what yours looks like. It most likely comes with the wiring harness and not the plug in socket.

Maybe a Ford dealer can sell the retainer?

 

[dodge man]

From what I see you need a new harness. You will have to splice the wiring most likely, Here is a pick of a similar socket.

 

[tstex]

Thank you dodge man…

 

[erikjohn67]

If you haven't found the solution, check to make sure you are getting a good ground by attaching using a direct wire from the truck to the trailer frame to troubleshoot. My experience is that trailers have been sitting for while or that are rarely used sometimes do not want to ground through the hitch when just sitting on the ball.

 

[tstex]

Thanks John. I specifically removed the trailer ground, took my driller w circular wire brush and really gave the ground area a real good cleaning to the metal. Then did the same w the washers and bolt that holds in the wire. I then removed the exposed portion of wiring on the ground, removed the white insulation and exposed fresh wire, then put it all back. It's getting a good clean ground for sure.

The problem is I cannot keep the wire harness head securely attached to the trailer receptacle. Furthermore, as pointed out, the grd pin seems to be oxidized, but I cannot test it anyway as is...guess I am going to have to splice on a new harness cap and replace the receptacle. Unless someone has a better solution, I believe that is where i am...

 

[Fxfymn413]

Unless someone has a better solution, I believe that is where i am...

Duct tape??

Or get something like this and wire it in directly to the truck's harness so you do not need to use an adaptor.

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Hopkins/HM40975.html?feed=npn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20%7C%20Shop%20-%20Custom%20Fit%20Vehicle%20Wiring&adgroupid=97331622902&campaignid=753605683&creative=430480882500&device=c&devicemodel=&feeditemid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9008199&matchtype=&network=s&placement=&position=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAosmPBhCPARIsAHOen-POs98mK7JZ4EUnVCl78RS1-tfqGdmUTHyFbOIt7nJXVHzALhYmMmwaAna7EALw_wcB

 

[dodge man]

It sounds like your trailer is 4 pin. You don’t have a 4 pin on the truck hiding under the bumper do you? Most of the trucks I’ve had in the past had both styles.