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Need Help With 7 Pin Connector Issue

Will_T

Will_T

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I needed to replace the plugin bumper connector. I was using a multi tester on the truck wiring side with the trailer light check running. I had the OEM bumper connector disconnected. I slipped with the tester, and I touched it to two of the pins other than ground. I heard that dreaded faint sound of what sounded like a fuse popping. I still have power at the truck wiring side on two pins, the aux and one other. But it seems like I am not getting power for the brakes or turn signals. So I think I did pop a fuse. However, I checked the fuses under the hood that seem to be labeled for the trailer connection and they all look good. F-28, 29/30, 38, 53, 81.

Is there another fuse somewhere before the under the hood fuse box. It seems like if I heard the faint pop sound when all the way back at the rear bumper, it would not have been a fuse under the hood. (Too far away to hear?) Any suggestions as to what I need to check?

Thanks.
 
Pull the connector off the back of the 7 pin and check the condition of the pins
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
Pull the connector off the back of the 7 pin and check the condition of the pins
Click to expand...

That is what I already have off. I was replacing the bumper connection so I unplugged it and it was checking the connector that remains wired to the truck that the bumper connector plugs in to. (Stupid as all was working, I just wanted to confirm the new aftermarket plug was matching the truck plug wiring.) That all looks brand new. It was working fine until I slipped with the tester and I think shorted it. As I said I heard the faint sound of what sounded like a fuse popping. I won't repeat my original post but basically I popped something and cannot find out what.
 
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Will_T said:
That is what I already have off. I was replacing the bumper connection so I unplugged it and it was checking the connector that remains wired to the truck that the bumper connector plugs in to. That all looks brand new. It was working fine until I slipped with the tester and I think shorted it. As I said I heard the faint sound of what sounded like a fuse popping. I won't repeat my original post but basically I popped something and can not find out what.
Click to expand...
There are no other fuses. Have you seated all the fuses in the fuse box? If you have an ohm meter i would check all the fuses just to be sure they are good
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
There are no other fuses. Have you seated all the fuses in the fuse box? If you have an ohm meter i would check all the fuses just to be sure they are good
Click to expand...
Yes, seated them all. If I popped a fuse under the hood, I am very surprised I would hear it all the way at the back bumper, but maybe?

I checked them just visually so maybe not great. Do those fuse numbers I listed above look complete. Or have I missed one maybe?
 
This is frustrating!!! I have a 7 pin connection that is not getting power now. I heard what sounded like a fuse popping. But all the fuses (numbered above), seem good. Maybe I am missing a fuse. I will take each of those fuses out and even though they all look good, test the two pins on each for continuity. That will tell me if each fuse is good, correct??
 
Will_T said:
This is frustrating!!! I have a 7 pin connection that is not getting power now. I heard what sounded like a fuse popping. But all the fuses (numbered above), seem good. Maybe I am missing a fuse. I will take each of those fuses out and even though they all look good, test the two pins on each for continuity. That will tell me if each fuse is good, correct??
Click to expand...
Yes but you can do it on the tops of the fuse no need to pull them out except for the Jcase ones
 
OK I am pulling out what little hair I have left. Tested all fuses and the ones numbered above, at least, are all good.
I have the in bed 7 pin connector also so I ran the trailer check routine and all tests good from that. However, now the connector in the bumper does not seem to work at all.

EDIT: This most recent issue was my fault, the wooden spacer I was using to hold open the cover was preventing the plug from fully seating. Now I fixed that and it seems to be working!

Does anyone know for sure if there is an inline fuse or anything in the wire running to the bumper 7 pin? Something made that sound like a fuse blowing and now that bumper wire has no power.

All pins and connections are clean and good. The 7 pin in the bed works fine.

So all my removing, testing and replacing fuses now has both OEM 7 pin connectors working. So now I can reattach my aftermarket EZ connector plug and test that. If I still have the original issue I had when that was installed earlier, then I will at least know the problem is with that connector.

So for now, please don't spend more time trying to figure this. I will remove the OEM and reinstall the EZ connector tomorrow and see what happens
 
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@H3LZSN1P3R Thanks so much for your help! I got myself so confused and frustrated I think because I really have only the original problem, but then caused other symptoms inadvertently while plugging, unplugging, propping open the cover, etc. etc. I will start fresh tomorrow from my original point and hopefully will get it to work, or determine that the problem lies with the new connector.
 
Will_T said:
@H3LZSN1P3R Thanks so much for your help! I got myself so confused and frustrated I think because I really have only the original problem, but then caused other symptoms inadvertently while plugging, unplugging, propping open the cover, etc. etc. I will start fresh tomorrow from my original point and hopefully will get it to work, or determine that the problem lies with the new connector.
Click to expand...
Electrical can be brutal to figure out at times.


I was wiring signals on a commander sxs a while back and was having all kinds of voltage drop and other issues i had to pull apart a brand new switch and fix it because it was the issue it was assembled wrong took a couple hours to find that one lol
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
Electrical can be brutal to figure out at times.


I was wiring signals on a commander sxs a while back and was having all kinds of voltage drop and other issues i had to pull apart a brand new switch and fix it because it was the issue it was assembled wrong took a couple hours to find that one lol
Click to expand...
Especially when you get frustrated and veer away from the slow methodical way you need to troubleshoot. I should know better than to rush, but when it is over 100 degrees under the metal roofed TT storage bay, patience can get tried. I suspect I will get to the bottom of it tomorrow in the cool of the morning.
 
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