Electrical/Lighting - Trailer Tow Package Not LED Compatible
TSB 13-1-501/15/13
2.0L - EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER TOW PACKAGE
FROM THE FACTORY - NOT COMPATIBLE WITH LED
TRAILER LIGHTING
FORD:
2013 Escape
ISSUE
Some 2013 Escape vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Engine, and equipped with the Trailer Tow Package from the Factory may not be compatible with newer model trailers which have LED lighting.
ACTION
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
The instructions that are included with the kit are intended for aftermarket use only. For this application discard the instructions included within the kit and follow the installation procedure below. It is recommended to read through these instructions thoroughly prior to installing this service kit.
1. Disconnect the battery cable to ground. For additional information, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-01.
2. Remove the engine air cleaner and air cleaner outlet pipe. For additional information, refer to WSM, Section 303-12.
3. Position the left weather strip aside and remove the left side lower cowl trim panel and scuff plate. (Figure 1)
4. Remove the right and left quarter trim panels. For additional information, refer to WSM Section 501.
5. Position the trailer tow converter harness assembly into the vehicle forward of the rear left hand D-pillar.
6. Remove the grommet/plug located in the rear floor pan just forward of the driver side D-pillar.
7. Working from the outer edge towards the center, cut a slit into the grommet/plug.
a. Do not attach the trailer tow converter at this time.
8. Disconnect the original equipment (OE) trailer tow harness electrical connector. Secure the electrical connector to the wire harness using a tie strap. (Figure 2)
9. Remove the 4-pin trailer connector and wire harness assembly from its mounting position and detach the wire harness push pin retainers from the hitch assembly. Bundle and secure the 4-pin wire harness assembly under the vehicle, with tie straps, in a position that will not interfere with vehicle and/or hitch operation.
10. Locate the left interior vehicle harness. (Figure 3)
11. Locate right interior vehicle harness. (Figure 4).
12. Locate the blue wire on the converter module and cut the eyelet off.
13. Connect the black (ground) wire eyelet from the converter module to the bolt located on the left D-pillar's cargo tie down. Feed the 4-pin connector through the hole in the floor pan. (Figure 5)
14. Install the rear floor pan grommet/plug, while installing, feed the 4-pin connector's ribbon harness into the cut portion of the plug.
15. Seal the rear floor pan grommet/plug.
16. Identify the violet/brown (stop) wire at the lamp assembly, left rear.
17. Connect the blue (stop) wire from the converter module to the violet/brown (stop) wire located at the lamp assembly, left rear.
18. Identify the violet/green (parking lights circuit) wire at the lamp assembly, left rear.
19. Connect the brown (tail lamp) wire from the converter module harness to the violet/green (parking lights circuit) wire at the lamp assembly, left rear.
20. Identify the gray/orange (left turn circuit) wire at the lamp assembly, left rear.
21. Connect the yellow (left turn) wire from the converter module harness to the gray/orange (left turn circuit) wire at the lamp assembly, left rear.
22. Identify the green/orange (right turn circuit) wire at the lamp assembly, right rear.
23. Route the green (right turn) wire from the converter module harness under the liftgate scuff plate and connect to the green/orange (right turn circuit) wire at the lamp assembly, right rear.
24. Position the carpet aside and locate the grommet located in the bulkhead just left of the steering column. (Figure 6)
25. Use a fish wire to puncture the grommet located in the bulkhead and feed the fish wire through to the front area of the engine compartment.
26. From the engine compartment, attach the kit supplied power cable to the fish wire (do not attach the eyelet). Route the power cable through the bulkhead into the passenger compartment, along the left hand door sills (under the carpet) back to the converter module.
27. Seal the bulkhead grommet and position back the carpet cut out.
28. From the cargo area in the vehicle, connect the kit supplied red power cable to the red battery wire located on the converter module.
NOTE
REMOVE THE IN-LINE FUSE BEFORE CONNECTING THE POWER CABLE TO THE FUSE JUNCTION PANEL.
29. Connect the red power cable to the fuse junction panel battery terminal. (Figure 7)
a. Remove the nut from the large stud on the fuse junction panel located on the front of the battery tray.
b. Install the eyelet onto the fuse junction panel.
c. Tighten to 5 N.m (44 lb-in).
d. Replace the in-line fuse.
30. Remove the adhesive backing from the underside of the converter module.
31. For vehicles not equipped with premium sound, attach the converter module to the floor pan just forward of the left D-pillar.
32. For vehicles equipped with premium sound, attach the converter module to the front of the subwoofer. (Figure 8)
33. From under the vehicle, attach the 4-pin connector/harness to the trailer hitch.
34. Use supplied tie straps to secure power cable to the interior vehicle harness in the front lower cowl area. (Figure 9)
a. Position the floor carpet aside as needed.
35. Use supplied tie straps to secure power cable and converter module wires to the interior vehicle harness. (Figure 10)
a. Position the floor carpet aside as needed.
36. Secure the 4-pin connector/harness to the vehicles hitch and/or underside of the vehicle.
37. Install the left side lower cowl trim panel and scuff plate. Position the left weather strip back.
38. Install the right and left quarter trim panels. For additional information, refer to WSM, Section 501-05.
39. Install the engine air cleaner. For additional information, refer to WSM, Section 303-12.
40. Connect the battery cable to ground. For additional information, refer to WSM, Section 414-01.
Parts Block
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
130105A 2013 Escape: Install Trailer 2.8
Tow Kit Following The
Service Procedure (Do Not
Use With Any Other Labor
Operations)
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
15A416 42
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