Ford Custom trailer socket not working

Fuzzy1980

Hi Guys

I’ve 191 ford Custom, put the trailer on and no lights! Checked lights elsewhere and all worked.
It’s a proper factory fit towbar with a 13 pin socket.
I’ve checked all pins and only have power on the constant 12v.
I’ve checked all fuses etc and reseated all, I’ve also checked the block connecter at the rear of the loom and I’ve only the constant 12v there too.
Main dealer isn’t open until Monday due to covid and I’m pretty sure I won’t have a hope of getting an appointment there in forever, I’m self employed so only getting back to work Monday myself and need the trailer, also with all the check points I wouldn’t like to chance it.
Thanks

colm_mcm

how many pins does your trailer have?

Have you checked the bypass relay?

Fuzzy1980

Hi Colm,

Trailer has a 7 pin plug so I’ve a 13 to 7 pin adapter on it.

colm_mcm wrote: »

how many pins does your trailer have?


Have you checked the bypass relay?

Bypass relay?? Not sure, I checked anything in fuse boxes that related to trailer socket according to the owner manual

colm_mcm

Have you tested the adaptor?

Are you 100% sure the adaptor is fitted correctly

Fuzzy1980

colm_mcm wrote: »

Have you tested the adaptor?

Are you 100% sure the adaptor is fitted correctly

Adaptor had always worked fine with the trailer, I had thought maybe the adapter was at fault but I still should be getting readings in the multimeter from the 13pin??
I’m obviously not picking up anything when the adapter is on as it’s not using the 12v constant.

colm_mcm

I’d suspect the bypass relay or the 12v supply going to it.

I’d imagine the permanent live you have on the 13 pin doesn’t go through the bypass relay.

Fuzzy1980

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d suspect the bypass relay or the 12v supply going to it.

I’d imagine the permanent live you have on the 13 pin doesn’t go through the bypass relay.

Sound, I’ll have a look Thanks Colm

Fuzzy1980

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d suspect the bypass relay or the 12v supply going to it.

I’d imagine the permanent live you have on the 13 pin doesn’t go through the bypass relay.

Sound, I’ll have a look Thanks Colm

Fuzzy1980

Fuzzy1980 wrote: »

Sound, I’ll have a look Thanks Colm

Hi Colm,

Had a look again can’t find the bypass relay! On the last custom I had it was an dealership towbar install and the relay was behind the off side rear brake lights, this one is a proper factory fit one, I’ve followed the loom back to the engine bay, I’ve looked behind the glove box and around the fuse box but it’s not jumping out at me🙄
Would you happen to know customs or where it may be?
Cheers

colm_mcm

Fuzzy1980 wrote: »

Hi Colm,

Had a look again can’t find the bypass relay! On the last custom I had it was an dealership towbar install and the relay was behind the off side rear brake lights, this one is a proper factory fit one, I’ve followed the loom back to the engine bay, I’ve looked behind the glove box and around the fuse box but it’s not jumping out at me��
Would you happen to know customs or where it may be?
Cheers

I’m afraid I don’t know. It may be that the wiring is set up differently if it’s from factory.

Fuzzy1980

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’m afraid I don’t know. It may be that the wiring is set up differently if it’s from factory.

Found it this morning, behind the plastic covering the passenger side step.
The bypass relay has a slight bit of corrosion on the board, as ford never fitted a little bung water and dirt has been getting in.
I’ve 12v coming into it but nothing coming out.
Also found another connection off the loom under the van which was wet with a blue corrosion type goo.
I’m rightly screwed now

colm_mcm

At least you know you’re not going mad.

Fuzzy1980

colm_mcm wrote: »

At least you know you’re not going mad.

Yep, I’ll have to go to the dealer on Monday morning when they open as it’s still under warranty.
Hopefully they’ll be able to do it as they’ve been closed too and I can imagine the crowds there Monday morning when they get going again.
Thanks for help Colm

Irish Steve

Have to admit to not being a lover of these modern all in one switching system, I've seen several over the last while where the fuse on the incoming supply has been blown by a fault on the trailer, and the result is that none of the lights on the trailer, (or caravan) work, and there is no indication inside the vehicle of the fault, which in some cases can be very dangerous, if the vehicle breaks down, and the hazard lights are put on, the back of the combination is completely dark.

Some of the installs are put in the most obscure of locations, and as has been mentioned, they are sometimes very vulnerable to water ingress, which does no good at all.

Fuzzy1980

Hi Steve,

I do have 12 v coming onto the board but after cleaning the bit of corrosion off it, it looks good but getting nothing after.
Brought it to the dealer on Monday and they’ve told me it will be a couple of MONTHS before they can look at it!! As it’s not important, still waiting on them to call me back with a date, I’d nearly just buy a new bypass and fit it myself but why should I.
Thanks for your reply

Irish Steve

Just had another thought, check to make sure that the earth (chassis) connection off the board is good, and the earth connection is good through to the socket on the back of the vehicle, as that will also stop the thing from working, and there are some vehicles where nothing else is connected to the same earth point, so everything else works without problems.

Ford do seem to be having some issues at the moment, we wanted a transit with injector issues looked at a while back, and they turned round and said it would be at least 3 months before they could even diagnose it, and another dealer in the Dublin area won't even look at some recent models of Transit, due to the number of issues they are seeing and can't get accurate diagnosis from, even with an up to date Ford diagnostic computer.

Fuzzy1980

Thanks I’ll have a look the weekend, my local dealer is just useless, especially when I didn’t buy this time around from them.

Irish Steve wrote: »

Just had another thought, check to make sure that the earth (chassis) connection off the board is good, and the earth connection is good through to the socket on the back of the vehicle, as that will also stop the thing from working, and there are some vehicles where nothing else is connected to the same earth point, so everything else works without problems.

Ford do seem to be having some issues at the moment, we wanted a transit with injector issues looked at a while back, and they turned round and said it would be at least 3 months before they could even diagnose it, and another dealer in the Dublin area won't even look at some recent models of Transit, due to the number of issues they are seeing and can't get accurate diagnosis from, even with an up to date Ford diagnostic computer.

Whocare

Fuzzy1980 wrote: »

Hi Steve,

I do have 12 v coming onto the board but after cleaning the bit of corrosion off it, it looks good but getting nothing after.
Brought it to the dealer on Monday and they’ve told me it will be a couple of MONTHS before they can look at it!! As it’s not important, still waiting on them to call me back with a date, I’d nearly just buy a new bypass and fit it myself but why should I.
Thanks for your reply

Bunch of winkers how are light not important unbelievable there attitude