Interactive hybrid cars resource
GreenHybrid Home - Hybrid Cars
Hybrid Cars Discussion Forums
Hybrid Articles
Hybrid Mileage Database & Car Specs
Hybrid Car Photo Gallery
Shopping Guide for Hybrid Cars


Go Back   GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars > Hybrid Cars > Ford Escape Hybrid &
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Register FAQ Members List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Ford Escape Hybrid &
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
The American SUVs.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 05-03-2007, 05:09 PM
rdinatal rdinatal is offline
Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Richard D.
Location: Huntersville, NC
Hybrids: 2007 Ford Escape
Posts: 29
Default Trailer harness location help!

I bought a harness at the local dealer today. The parts guy picked a number for the FEH, double checked and confirmed (only one).

When I got to install it tonight I can not find where it plugs in! I looked at the diagrams and found reference to harness 15K868, rear of vehicle, cell 151 A-C7.

Can anyone with a factory hitch please help locate the 4 pin round connector? The cabe is less than 3ft and has clips that enabe it to be fastened to the metal bumper support.

Thanks!

-R

Last edited by rdinatal : 05-04-2007 at 05:14 AM. Reason: reformat txt
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 05-03-2007, 07:41 PM
TeeSter TeeSter is offline
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Tim
Hybrids: 2006 Escape 4WD
Posts: 1,248
Default Re: Trailer harness location help!

Quote:
Originally Posted by rdinatal View Post
I bought a harness at the local dealer today. The parts guy picked a number for the FEH, double checked and confirmed (only one).When I got to install it tonight I can not find where it plugs in! I looked at the diagrams and found reference to harness 15K868, rear of vehicle, cell 151 A-C7.Can anyone with a factory hitch please help locate the 4 pin round connector? The cabe is less than 3ft and has clips that enabe it to be fastened to the metal bumper support.Thanks!-R
None of the FEHs (I'm not sure about the '08) have factory hitches. They don't come with them. You have to go aftermarket to get a hitch on the hybrid.

I can tell you what I did on an '06 but there wasn't any 4-pin connector. Additionally, if what he gave you just taps off the taillight power, you are in danger of causing the vehicle to think its taillights are out and you'll get a warning in your message center because of the extra load unless the trailer you are pulling takes very little current. Theres another thread where I describe the TWO modules that I used so that woudlnt' be a problem.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 05-04-2007, 05:20 AM
rdinatal rdinatal is offline
Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Richard D.
Location: Huntersville, NC
Hybrids: 2007 Ford Escape
Posts: 29
Default Re: Trailer harness location help!

Figures, I go to Ford the ONE time and they have no clue!

I need to figure this out by Saturday night as I'm moving my daughter from UNC in Willmington Sunday.

I can make an isolation circuit but need more time. I'll try e-Trailer but don't think I can get the parts in time. Going to look locally.

-R
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 05-04-2007, 05:24 AM
WaltPA's Avatar
WaltPA WaltPA is offline
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Walt
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Hybrids: 2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Posts: 1,191
Default Re: Trailer harness location help!

Quote:
Originally Posted by rdinatal View Post
When I got to install it tonight I can not find where it plugs in! I looked at the diagrams and found reference to harness 15K868, rear of vehicle, cell 151 A-C7.
The hybrids don't have that plug or that harness.

On the non-hybrids, the factory trailer wiring, is routed thru the same body hole, as the hybrid's battery coolant/freon lines. So, on the hybrids, Ford just doesn't support it.

There are other ways of wiring in, the light connector for a trailer, but using the non-hybrid parts from Ford, isn't it.

.




Best single LD trip: 35.3mpg


Hybrid Cars Mileage
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 05-04-2007, 06:08 AM
TeeSter TeeSter is offline
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Tim
Hybrids: 2006 Escape 4WD
Posts: 1,248
Default Re: Trailer harness location help!

Quote:
Originally Posted by rdinatal View Post
Figures, I go to Ford the ONE time and they have no clue!

I need to figure this out by Saturday night as I'm moving my daughter from UNC in Willmington Sunday.

I can make an isolation circuit but need more time. I'll try e-Trailer but don't think I can get the parts in time. Going to look locally.

-R
Incidentally the post with the parts I used is in "Trailer towing impressions... " and its Post #11.

You end up putting a connection on each taillight and having to run a wire and fuse back to the battery. The two modules you can put under the panel near the A/C for the battery or you can mount them outside the vehicle, they are supposed to be weathertight and they look like they should be. I had to punch a hole through the rubber plug behind the left taillight to run the wires through and ended up gooping the plug with silicone so water wouldn't get back into the taillight area. Not sure if that was necessary.

If you decide against the isolation unit, it all depends on the trailer. If the power is low enough you'd be okay I guess, but I have no idea what the breakpoint is. Also unfortunately it might not JUST be a warning in your message center... one guy reported that without the isolation when his trailer was hooked on neither of his turn signals would work at all. If he disconnected the trailer the turn signals would work again if I remember right which would imply it was a load issue, but its odd that it would disable the turn signal like that.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 05-07-2007, 08:20 AM
rdinatal rdinatal is offline
Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Richard D.
Location: Huntersville, NC
Hybrids: 2007 Ford Escape
Posts: 29
Default Re: Trailer harness location help!

Thanks for all the help on this. In the end I was chasing the proverbial non-existent connector.

The final result was that I installed a Powerline HD module #31826. Powered it from the rear power port I previously ran to the cargo area. The splices were tricky as I wanted them inside the body just inside the rubber plug. After a 250 mile round trip there are no problems to report.

One observation was that a 5x8 enclosed trailer removes 12+ mpg (average). This trip was a combination of Stop&go (city, up to 45mph), hills (50-55mph) and flats (55-70mph).

-R
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 05-08-2007, 12:09 AM
gpsman1's Avatar
gpsman1 gpsman1 is offline
Hybrid Technologist
 
Real Name: John
Location: N.Colorado & S.Minnesota
Hybrids: 2005 Diet Ford Escape FWD, 2000 Honda Insight
Posts: 2,492
Default Re: Trailer harness location help!

RE: MPG when towing... not surprizing.

I also have a 4L V6 truck suited for towing.

HWY no U-Haul trailer, about 18-19 MPG.
HWY with loaded U-Haul, about 10-11 MPG.

So on a percentage basis, I think the FEH is doing pretty good!
-John

.

Gasabout $0.05/mi
Gasabout $0.09/mi
E85about $0.09/mi
PHEV $0.0219 / mile*
*plus electricity, sometimes free! ( work / hotel lot )
Nebr. 2/24/2008
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Similar Threads
Thread Topic Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Trailer wiring on 2006 HiHy PflHybrid Toyota Highlander Hybrid &
Lexus RX 400h
16 07-12-2007 07:35 PM
Trailer towing impressions... Hybrid_SUV Ford Escape Hybrid &
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
28 05-16-2007 01:08 PM
Honda Civic Specific Parrot Harness Now Available cherokee180c HCH II-Specific Discussions 4 01-28-2007 11:47 AM
Associate Sound Bite with NAV Location schmidtj Toyota Camry Hybrid 2 10-20-2006 03:47 PM
2005 Escape HEV trailer hitch wiring harness HoslerD Ford Escape Hybrid &
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
20 10-14-2006 04:37 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:38 PM.



This website is made possible by people like you.
Thank you.


HOME   .   DISCUSS   .   LEARN   .   COMPARE   .   SHARE   .   SHOP

About      Press Release      Contact

Suggested Link      Promote Hybrids      Site Store




COPYRIGHT © 2005-2006 Internet Brands, Inc. | Privacy Policy

SEO by vBSEO 3.0.0