4 prong to 7 prong

[Bigpappa]

I currently converted my 4 prong trailer harness to 7 prong on my 2016 xlt. However, I'm looking for the power wire if any. I'd like to, in a perfect world, not run a line from the battery to plug.
Is there a power wire in the harness anywhere? And what color and where should I look?
This forum showed an orange wire in more recent models under the passenger driver side. Thanks for any help

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Welcome to the forum. That question was asked recently almost the same way. If you search for it you find a long discussion on this topic.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Here are the links.

1st: http://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/4-pin-to-7-where-is-the-12v-line.32196/

2nd: http://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/2016-expedition-brake-controller-wiring.32259/

 

[Bigpappa]

Thank you. Links were sort of helpful. However still left to not knowing where this elusive unicorn orange 12v wire would be in the harness.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Thank you. Links were sort of helpful. However still left to not knowing where this elusive unicorn orange 12v wire would be in the harness.

I didn't remember the outcome just that somebody was struggling with the same issue you have.

 

[Habbibie]

That 12 gauge orange wire in the wire harness comes out the same gauge but black at the opposite side of that quick disconnect. That black is a power wire and the shop mechanic at my job uses that same wire to tap into for swapping 4 to 7 plug wiring harness.

Even my 05 expedition has that, but in reference to was I stated above I was talking about 2016+ F-150's

 

[Bigpappa]

Follow up to help anyone with my findings. I traced the whole wire harness and did not find the 12v unicorn orange wire.
Called dealership. They said run a hot wire with fuse link or tap into an existing 12v line in the rear.
Stopped of at my local hitch install store. An installer told me to tap into a purple/reddish brown wire that goes into a relay above the rear driver framerail. He said it's for a relay and that's what they use.
Any clue what relay is and will this work?

 

[Triplet Dad]

I am interested also Bigpappa. Following to see if we can find the answer.

 

[bsevans5]

I commented on another thread about this. I have a 2008 expedition el xlt 4x4. It took me a long time hunting on the internet to find information that led me to look for a wiring harness under the hood. I found the harness where a 12v wire went into it, but didn't have a wire coming out on the other end of the connection. I got the correct pin from the dealer and ran a wire from that harness plug in the front under the vehicle and connected it to a 7 pin round connection at the back. I have been meaning to take a picture of that harness for the other thread. I will see if I can do it today and hopefully I'll be able to post it on here. I'll be back with an update...

 

[Bigpappa]

So I went ahead and tapped into this 12v power source(purple with brown/ red stripe). It goes into this tiny module attached to the frame above rear driver side tire. I have 12v power to the pin now. Hooked up trailer towed it to gas station checked tires and to see how the exp tows. It charged the batteries enough to operate electric lift on trailer. My biggest concern for the power.
I got the exp after trading my diesel f250. Curious to see its capabilities.

 

[adamsdaddy]

My concern would be with what size fuse is on the wire you chose. In the fuse box the trailer fuse is a 30 amp if I remember correctly. Kind of frustrating to know a specific fuse and wire are in the engine compartment and no clear steps on how to tap into it.
Maybe this weekend I'll go over to the Ford dealership and see if they have an Expedition or F150 with the HD tow package to see whether an orange wire runs all the way back to the 7 pin or I'll try and trace it backwards.

 

[Triplet Dad]

I am curious to know where the wire you tapped into goes to. I have a technical manual so maybe I can look up the schematic for that wire.

 

[gixer2000]

I'll try to look tonight on my hd tow package 07el. I woukd have offered before but we've had never ending rain here and finally have a clear day

 

[adamsdaddy]

Here's a couple pictures of the harness in front of the driver in the engine compartment. I pushed the orange wire up from where it was hiding. The brown/green wire also looks to 12 gauge.

 

[Bigpappa]

@adamsdaddy. I tapped into that purple green wire. At the top left. Looked under there at that harness no orange on mine. Dealer said it's a hit or miss. The hitch installation store near me said the tap into any 12 v source or run a new wire.

 

[bsevans5]

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to respond. That is not my style. Life has been insane and my wife has been gone... and with 5 kids that leaves little time for anything. I took some pictures. But see that somebody posted the same ones I was going to post. Mine had that orange wire and I put a wire on the other side of harness where it wasn't coming out. My thumb nail is on the orange wire

 

[bsevans5]

Not sure if you found it, but heres some pics. My thumb nail is on the orange that goes into the harness with no wire coming out the other side. Got a pin from the dealership and ran the wire to the back of the expedition.

 

[adamsdaddy]

@Bigpappa have you determined which fuse # covers the purple green wire?
My popup trailer has an electric motor to raise the roof and an electric refrigerator so I want to make sure there is a 30 amp fuse. I'd still like to stick with the orange because that appears to go to the trailer 30 amp fuse # 17 (going off memory)
I need to visit my Ford parts department and see if they know about the pin that Bsevans5 refers to.

 

[bsevans5]

When i went they let me rummage through some bins. They were distinctly different sizes, so it was pretty easy to figure it out (from what i remember). If you have one nearby, i believe ACE hardware sells pins too. You could pick up several sizes of you werent sure and just take back the ones you can't use. Just disconnect the harness and look in there to see if you need a male or female. Its been a while, but i think it was male...but i coukd be wrong, so make sure to check

 

[adamsdaddy]

I solved my lack of running light on the trailer problem. Turns out fuse # 28 trailer park relay was empty. Those PITA fuse are not just mini fuses but low profile mini fuses. Neither OReillys or Autozone had a 25 amp low profile mini. I bought the 20 amp and everything lit up on the trailer!! Hooray now I have nighttime lights !

Still no 12 V power but I'll get there. The thought of pulling apart the wiring harness with its 24 wires to try and insert a pin to reach the orange wire is a little scary.