My 4 x 21W basic filament van brake lights worked behind my BF Falcon. However they flash on and immediately go off on my new Ranger. After several days of testing by a tow bar fitter, a Ford dealer & myself, it appears that the Ranger has an overload protection switch on the tow wiring. It's looking like my brake light are tripping the overload switch (previously a fuse). The dealer had no idea what caused the cutout except that 3 short circuits will actually blow the cutout electrics which is not happening. So I'm thinking that 84W is too much. Searching the internet I've not found anything. Could take one globe out at a time and re-test but it would be nice to know the max wattage this side of a short circuit.
Has anyone encountered this issue?
I'm awaiting a reply from Ford but from past experience it takes ages to get a tech / electric question answered.
-- Edited by LLD on Tuesday 3rd of May 2016 07:34:28 PM
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GRANDPARENTS & GRANDCHILDREN GET ON SO WELL TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY HAVE A COMMON ENEMY
Given that the LED panel at a tow bar fitter all worked and the techs at the dealer said something about a cutout in the tow electrics, I decided to use a spare battery an my little blue Wattmeter (a great $10 investment) to investigate. The 4 globes on the van took just over 6A. Took 2 globes at it was about 3A. My first conclusion was that the cutout protection maybe 5A so I hooked it up the tug & van and it all worked. Put one more globe in (4.6A) and still working but the fourth caused all 4 van brake light to go off. Took one globe out, restarted the tug and all worked.
Conclusion: There is a limit of 5A on the trailer brake light circuit on a factory fitted tow system so 4 x 21W globes will not work.
Given that the voltage is about 13.4V, not 12V, 3 globes work but it would probably be safer to just use 2. However e-Bay may get a scan for LED brake globes today. Not sure how many other vehicles use the same tow control module. The module is not covered by warranty should you short it out as that is considered your fault. But you get 3 chance before it finally blows up.
Still waiting for Ford to confirm the cutout conditions.
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GRANDPARENTS & GRANDCHILDREN GET ON SO WELL TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY HAVE A COMMON ENEMY
We have a Ford Ranger as well. We hitch it to a caravan with LED indicators and clearance lights. I suggest you go to Ford and get the attachment for LED lit trailers (about $40) this should solve the problems.
I have done the same and all flashing problems solved.
Cheers
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
My Mazda ute, same as Ranger, uses relays in the trailer wiring harness. This means that the indicator circuit, and the stop light circuit from the vehicle electrics only activate a relay. The power for any trailer comes direct from the battery via the relays. The computer is un-effected. This is a loom made up from the towbar supplier.
