Reverse light wiring..any help appreciated!

[Musikaldave]

I have a 2001 Ford Escape XLT with a factory installed tow package that came with a standard 4pin connector for trailer lights.

I've modified the system by removing the 4 pin plug on the end of the wiring and running those wires to the new 7 pin plug that I'm installing.

I have brake lights, right turn signals, left turn signals, and running lights all working.

I now want to run a line for the reverse lights line on the center pin but I'm having some difficulty figuring out where to wire that line in on my Escape.

At first I thought I could tap into the "live" wire going to the lamp on the Escape, but that's not going to work because that line is "continuous live" from the switch in the engine compartment.

I've never worked with factory installed relays and switches and I would prefer to keep the work to a minimum but if I need to go to the engine compartment to run the line for the trailer reverse lights then so be it.

If anyone has any input on this or an idea to make it work I'd appreciate your comments.

If you have already done this yourself and figured out a way to do it, I would be most interested in talking to you.

Please PM me with your ideas or post here and I will continue follow ups.

Thanks a bunch!

David

[mainah]

You lost me if it all ways on the reverse light should be too. Sure you got the right wire?

[Gene]

I have seen systems in boats and aircraft where a lamp wire was always hot and it was turned on by grounding the return wire, often used to have multiple places to turn on a lamp. I have no idea if the Ford Escape uses a similar method.

[mainah]

Yes that is correct but usually in a automotive situation unless it's controlled by solid state device they don't waste wire, solid state controllers generally turn on and off the the path to ground. If it has a controller and you want reverse lights it won't happen with out some semi fancy wiring. You could use an inverting relay but you'll need power like the battery charge wire or the camper battery + wire to make it happen.

[Janalee]

I don't know which year or model Sunny you have, but are you sure you even have backup lights on it...and don't forget you need a battery charge wire also.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

The butchering of the TV wiring is why I paid for the more expensive direct plug in wireharness. It had matching ends, was a simple plug in installation and was waterproof. Worth the extra money, if it is available for your vehicle.

[Musikaldave]

Jim, I'm not "butchering" anything; to help you understand what I'm up against, my 2001 Ford Escape only came with a STANDARD 4 PIN tow package. In order to upgrade the package so I can tow campers, boat trailers etc...most of which have 7 pin connections, I've had to modify the wiring package on the Escape.

Most if not all of the wiring in the trailer is working and fine, but I've needed to make some modifications so that everything works safely in conjunction with the two vehicle.

I have the weather proof connections on there now, it took me about two days to wire all that together. I'm now onto the the brake controller and the reverse lights and then the aux battery power line.

Thanks for the inmput!

Davied

[Jim-Bev-2363]

Dave, But butchering is what I'd be doing. I'm sure your doing a fine job and all will be working properly soon enuff.

[Sunline Fan]

Yeah, that's tough with an Escape. They really didn't have a towing package like what we normally think of on half ton trucks. They do make those 7 to 4 way adapters, but then you still don't have brakes/backup lights, etc. This certainly is the right way to do it.

[EMD_Driver]

Where there's a will, there's a way!