What is this wiring connector?

[niteshiftfromkc]

Hello all,

I am new to the Expedition, but not Ford products. I just recently bought an 08 XLT 4x4 to replace our Freestar. It has the hitch and 4 prong wiring harness, so I am guessing only class 3 on the hitch. I really want to have a 7 prong round for when I have to tow a trailer with brakes (I sometimes rent a dump trailer to haul mulch, dirt, etc.). I found a plug that is in the little compartment in the back on the left side. It is a bare round plug...kinda looks like it may be a hook up to adapt to 7 prong, but not sure.

I looked through the manual but couldn't find anything. I will try to post a picture when I get home from work.

Thanks for any help,
niteshift

 

[mrford60]

on my 07 back a little further on the 4 wire plug is the trailer brake wires taped to that harness, i think there is 2 wires there, that will give you 6 wires. you can cut off the 4 prong end and get an aftermarket 7 prong end and wire it on. the 7th wire is for a hot wire, i think you would have to run that seperatly. i havent dont this to mine yet but i will very soon.

 

[thegeneral]

I may be totally wrong, but I think you're referring to the fuel reset switch (kinda looks lika a round plug). Does it say fuel reset on the little door to the compartment you're talking about? My other thought is that it may be the subwoofer connection even if you don't have one, there is still a wire for it.

If you want to turn that 4 prong into a 7 prong, you can buy a conversion kit that comes as a 7 prong connection that needs to be wired with all 7 connections.

If you look under your rear bumper to the left of the hitch you should see a wire labeled "electronic brakes" or something along those lines. It is a wire that you will need to connect with your new conversion kit. The only wire you'll be missing, I believe, is the 12v continous power wire (for interior cargo trailer lights, etc.) Which I believe is the one wire you need to charge up the breakaway brake system.

Also, look under the dash and you should see the universal brake controller hookup as well.

I believe that Ford wires all of these expeditions for every option (even the bare bones version) as a cost saving method, which in turn makes it easier for us to add things on later!

I'm no expert, but this is just my 2 cents.

 

[thegeneral]

Sorry for the redundancy.

I just read the reply above mine!

 

[hovocop]

I bought an adapter to switich it......... was only like $20

 

[niteshiftfromkc]

thegeneral, you are correct sir...In my haste looking over the vehicle, I mistook that for an electrical connector. It is the fuel reset switch. Only reason I thought it was a plug is the red cap on it that looked like a cap for electrical wiring. I figured that would be up in the front behind the passenger kick panel like it seems to have been on all of the other dozen or so Fords that I own/owned.

I will definitely look under the bumper for the other wires by the hitch to put in the 7 prong when it is light out. Doing the install on the kit and trying to find a location for my brake controller will have to wait until I have time. First things first is to change all fluids over to Amsoil as I have no idea if the previous owner took care of that or not.

Thanks again,
Niteshift

 

[VTfireftr]

If your truck only has a flat 4 connector, you do not have the "traielr tow package".

Just adding an adapter to the flat 4 will NOT give you control of electric trailer brakes.

You need to use a "round 7" connector tied into a brake controller.

I don't know if all the trucks are prewired or not.

When i was in the market for my truck, I made sure it had the trailer tow package. I wanted the truck prewired, along with the bigger radiator and transmission cooler.