[andjayik]

Tow harness under bumper, does it have power without tow package? Want to get a 14$ harness that plugs into the bumper harness, but i read somewhere that if u don't have the tow package that no power is to the harness and u have to add relays?

 

[Scooter Scott]

I'm looking into this right now...I'll report back

 

[jpark]

If you did find the tow harness, is the flat, 4-pins-in-a-row harness, or is it the harness shown below?

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... ailer2.jpg

You're right about the relays, but there's an easy way to see if you already have them installed in your Escape (this is for 2008+ E/M/Ts). The Battery Junction Box, under the hood near the battery, contains the relays (or the sockets for them). The relays are the LEFT TURN RELAY, the RIGHT TURN RELAY, and the PARK RELAY, as shown below. Let me know if you don't have the relays installed, and I'll post the part numbers (which I don't have right now).

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... 008bjb.jpg

Here's the wiring diagram:

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... ailer1.jpg

It looks like you'll have power to the existing connector if you have or add the relays, so you can probably buy the $14 harness that you mentioned.

 

[Scooter Scott]

What about for my 2007?

 

[jpark]

The 2005-2007 models were driven directly off of the Smart Junction Box, without any need for relays. It should be plug-and-play. If you have the connector under the rear bumper cover (in the same location as the 2008), it should work.

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... ailer1.jpg

 

[andjayik]

I only have 2 relays in the box. No left turn, right or parking. The rlays are expensive unless we can get them from another placed rather then ford. People were saying the relays are like 35$ ea. It would be cheaper just to get the harness to plug into the tal lights and power from the batter to run the lights.

 

[Scooter Scott]

Yay for me!!

Sorry andjayik

 

[jpark]

I wouldn't tap into the tail lamps to do that. Most of the Escape's exterior lamps are controlled by high-side FETs, and you could damage them by adding a trailer load, unless the trailer lamps are LEDs.

I'm pretty sure that I can find a price lower than $35 for the relays. Let me look...

 

[Squishy]

Has Ford changed the relay part numbers for 2008? If not, just get some relays from the junkyard.

 

[oskerb]

So is c422/c421 the power line for the trailer harness? If so then, all you need is the 3 realys mentioned (left, right,park relays) and all should work?????

If you did find the tow harness, is the flat, 4-pins-in-a-row harness, or is it the harness shown below?

Direct image link: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... ailer2.jpg

 

[andjayik]

it will be cheaper to buy the tail light harness then the relays.

 

[fritz614]

Just FYI or for future people that might come along this site thru a search engine, I found the relay at Parts.com and it was only $16.55 per relay, shipping was fast for me too. It is a 20 amp 4 terminal relay.

http://www.parts.com/oemcatalog/index.c ... atalogid=0

 

[oskerb]

So this will do the trick huh, that and the harness???

 

[Bilbo]

Just FYI:
eTrailer sells the harness that plugs in for the 09-10 Escapes, draws power for trailer lights from a fused connection to the Batt.
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-VWH~118430.htm
It may be less than $49 elsewhere but it's not a difficult install.

 

[Rid4Escape]

If you want to utilize the factory harness already installed on your non-tow package '09 Escape,
my local Ford dealer gave me two NEW part numbers for '09 Escape tow kits:

8L8Z-13A576AA - $56
OE to flat-4 pigtail with under-bumper plug mounting hardware and instructions.

8L8Z-15A416A - $76
3-Relay kit with instructions.

I Goggled the PN's with no luck, must order from the dealership I guess...

 

[mstar]

HI,
Do you need the fuses for this to work? I only seem to have a metal contact on each side of each fuse.
More details:
I have an 08 I just bought. I stopped into the dealer to ask about the pigtail and they said they would test it.
Being a nice guy he said I did not have power but he put in "a breaker" Not knowing much about this I left with him saying I have power. I had to stop at the dealer closer to home for a bulb I found was out and asked the parts guy about the 4 flat. He went and looked in my fuse box and saw I had two relays out of the 3
I am missing the park relay. However he pointed out that I did not have a complete fuse box in that the #8 and #14 15a fuses were missing and and showed me there was only a metal contact on one side . So he said while I have power back there, the trailer lights would still still not function and that relays were not refundable nore would the wiring harness. So I have been confused with those who have said they had it work with just the relays.
That would be great and I would like confirmation since I am thinking the dealer that gave me the two would give me the other one if I act fast.

 

[TomyD]

Jpark,
Where did you get those schematics/diagrams?

 

[Elwood]

Where did you get those schematics/diagrams?

Those images are from the factory wiring diagrams. They're available in either printed or electronic formats from Helm (http://www.helminc.com). Helm offers various duration on-line subscriptions, from 72 hours, one month, and one year. If you're really dedicated, it's possible to download the entire factory service manual, wiring manual, owner information, and TSB's for a particular model and year in one 72-hour window.

 

[TomyD]

Thanks, I'll check this out.

 

[TomyD]

I got this kit call a "T-Connector" from a local Truck custom parts shop. It's from Valley (http://www.vtowing.com/) part # 30281 for 08 & current Escapes and 05- current Mariners. Instruction booklet: http://www.vtowing.com/ISHEETS/30281.pdf

I didn't get a chance to install it yet. So I can't tell you if it works. The company specializes in towing equipment.

Anybody heard if this kit works?