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Thread: bad trailer adapter?

  1. #1
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    bad trailer adapter?

    At the rear tail lights I have running lights but no brake lights or turn flashers. I tested the trailer adapter back several weeks when I first wired it and installed it above the gas tank and all was good. Now body is on and I'm installing the rear square lights and there is a major voltage drop across the adapter. 12.65-ish volts going in to turns both left and right and brake too, but coming out 4.5-ish volts at the turn wires and brake. Hazards don't flash at the back, but the amber front both flash and same for the turn signals, both amber lights are flashing. Bad ground?, bad adapter? Thoughts, suggestions.

    Thanks in advance - Fred

  2. #2
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    Be sure you wire the tail lights properly the LED lights use the white as the ground. I forget which is turn, brake versus running lights, but make sure you’re using the white as the ground on the lights. The correct wiring for the tail lights is printed on the package.
    FFinisher/AKA RE63

  3. #3
    Senior Member Jphoenix's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FRM View Post
    At the rear tail lights I have running lights but no brake lights or turn flashers. I tested the trailer adapter back several weeks when I first wired it and installed it above the gas tank and all was good. Now body is on and I'm installing the rear square lights and there is a major voltage drop across the adapter. 12.65-ish volts going in to turns both left and right and brake too, but coming out 4.5-ish volts at the turn wires and brake. Hazards don't flash at the back, but the amber front both flash and same for the turn signals, both amber lights are flashing. Bad ground?, bad adapter? Thoughts, suggestions.

    Thanks in advance - Fred
    You may already know, there have been numerous reports of the supplied trailer adapter not working very well. The recommendation is to buy a Tekonsha trailer adapter, which is what I did and it works perfectly.

    https://www.amazon.com/DRAW-TITE-119...PO-&hvexpln=73
    Jim Phoenix
    Coupe-R delivered 8/10/2024
    289 USRRC, F5R1011063RD - delivered same day

    Coupe-R has a Ford Performance 363 mated to a TKX, 18084.
    Many details on my Coupe-R are different from a typical Coupe build because mine is not street legal, race only.

    289 has a BP 302 mated to a TKX 18084.

    "For a little more, you can do it yourself." - Ed Hollingsworth... 6-Pack forums

  4. #4
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    Thanks folks. Seems odd that it had proper voltage when I tested it a month or so ago and the brake and turn lights worked then, but now not enough voltage to make the brake light or turn flasher work. I checked the ground and I am good to go on that using the white wire on the tail light. Guess I'll order the part Jphoenix suggests and be done with it.

  5. #5
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    Jphoenix adapter recommendation arrive mid day, is now wired in and all lights are working as designed. Thanks Jphoenix........was a bad adapter. All systems go - Fred

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  7. #6
    Senior Member Jphoenix's Avatar
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    I know there have been a number of people talking about the supplied trailer adapter being problematic, I recall I.E.427 has a video talking about it as well - so I'm wondering if there is a way to get feedback easily to FFR about these kinds of issues? Like the upper ball joints that are known to seize, the better tie-rod ends recommended by EdwardB, etc.
    Jim Phoenix
    Coupe-R delivered 8/10/2024
    289 USRRC, F5R1011063RD - delivered same day

    Coupe-R has a Ford Performance 363 mated to a TKX, 18084.
    Many details on my Coupe-R are different from a typical Coupe build because mine is not street legal, race only.

    289 has a BP 302 mated to a TKX 18084.

    "For a little more, you can do it yourself." - Ed Hollingsworth... 6-Pack forums

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