Morning all!

 

Looking for some help with my ranger. I have a 2018 Wildtrack model and I have recently fitted a 2nd hand towbar with electrics from another similar aged Ranger that I got off eBay.

This did mean that the towbar was fitted with the correct multi-plug that clicked in with my harness attached to the chassis leg on the n/s.

Unfortunately, after getting all this sorted, I still have no lights when plugging a trailer board into the socket and i'm at a bit of a loss what to do now.

I am aware that this topic has been raised before and I have already tried using Forscan to enable the towing under the BCM however this (for me) hasn't worked so i'm looking for alternative suggestions.

Any help would be appreciated as i'm currently stuck with a towbar that - although it looks very smart - is unable to fulfill the purpose of it's existence. 

 

Thank you in advance for any and all help given.

Mark

What type of towbar wiring are you used oem or some kind of replacement? 
I suggest using a trailer module from Ford  also a dedicated wiring as this is as  simple as plug and play 

@Dyzmen I don't honestly know the answer to that unfortunately. It was all attached to the towbar I bought online. It's a TowTrust bar and the picture attached is the one the seller had on his listing.

 

I have looked at getting the trailer module but i've read loads of conflicting reports as to what you ACTUALLY need to make the wiring work.

 

2 hours ago, MotorMouth said:

I have already tried using Forscan to enable the towing under the BCM however this (for me) hasn't worked so i'm looking for alternative suggestions.

Your vehicle won't have the Ford trailer module fitted if it didn't have a tow bar when it was built. You need to source the correct trailer module (and harness) before you can enable it using FORScan.

@unofix So I need to have the module fitted with the harness before I can enable anything? Where does this harness and module locate on the truck? Is it between the wiring coming out of the truck and the towbar or is it further forward eg. under the bonnet?

If buy a module from Ford it will have a manual where module need to be installed 
 

Module bought from Ford.

Should be with me by the start of next week.

Looks like it's supposed to be installed either under the passenger seat or beneath the trim on the passenger side sill. Anyone got any experience fitting these?

In my Ford Edge it’s behind a trim wall in the boot. Manuall will tell you where need to be installed, connector should be there waiting just plug in and job is done. 
Do you have a harness as well as Unofix suggested?  

Under passenger seat. While you wait for module, have a look under the seat. Should see the wiring plugs already there under the carpet. Bit of a fiddle to assess under the carpet. 

You should see 3 connectors . 

16 minutes ago, iantt said:

You should see 3 connectors . 

If you've nothing on this weekend you could pop-round and install it for the OP 🤣🤣

Ward was going to do it but she's busy shopping for a new frock 😉

2 hours ago, unofix said:

If you've nothing on this weekend you could pop-round and install it for the OP 🤣🤣

Ward was going to do it but she's busy shopping for a new frock 😉

Don't think the op wants a masculine bully grease monkey to pop round to assist. 🤣🤣🤣🤣. But I am a poorly paid  grease monkey . 

@iantt Wo wo wo I worked in the motor trade for over 12 years (sales side 😉 ) so I have nothing but respect for you guys who can fix all this stuff!

 

Thank you very much for that info, I will have a look this evening after the 9-5 has ended. Fortunately I am handy enough to do these minor repairs / mods to my own vehicle (just with the correct guidance given in advance)! 😅

@iantt update on the situation. 
 

Module is fitted under the passenger seat just like you said. I also didn't enjoy pulling those wires out from under the carpet 😂

 

Now for the next problem; Forscan keeps throwing an error code about losing connection with the rear lighting module - which I believe is the towing module after doing some other research. 

 

From what I’m reading it’s to do with a bad earth?? So my question is, where is this elusive earth? The module is switched on in Forscan but I seem to be missing this last little piece to actually get it to work. 

I don't have the wiring schematics for the 2018 Ranger, but attached is the details of the 2021 model. I expect that the earth and the supply wires will be the same or similar.

I'm still no further in this unfortunately. Is the module supposed to have any lights on to tell me it's actually working?

There seems to be such limited info on the web when it comes to the wiring side of this it's unreal. Have I just bitten off more than I can chew? 😅

8 hours ago, MotorMouth said:

@iantt update on the situation. 
 

Module is fitted under the passenger seat just like you said. I also didn't enjoy pulling those wires out from under the carpet 😂

 

Now for the next problem; Forscan keeps throwing an error code about losing connection with the rear lighting module - which I believe is the towing module after doing some other research. 

 

From what I’m reading it’s to do with a bad earth?? So my question is, where is this elusive earth? The module is switched on in Forscan but I seem to be missing this last little piece to actually get it to work. 

What did you switch on and what module. Probably bcm and IPC both. I'm guessing here as I don't use forscan for that. Use fdrs or rather say used to. Been a while since I fitted a towbar on a ranger. 

4 hours ago, MotorMouth said:

I'm still no further in this unfortunately.

Since fitting the trailer module, have you added any extra fuses to the BJB ?

It seems there are possibly 3 fuses needed and it could be that not all of them are fitted.

9 hours ago, iantt said:

What did you switch on and what module. Probably bcm and IPC both. I'm guessing here as I don't use forscan for that. Use fdrs or rather say used to. Been a while since I fitted a towbar on a ranger. 

Towing module on the bcm, nothing on ipc as I can’t see that one. Maybe my HS switch on the adapter was set the wrong way. 
 

8 hours ago, unofix said:

Since fitting the trailer module, have you added any extra fuses to the BJB ?

It seems there are possibly 3 fuses needed and it could be that not all of them are fitted.

Yet another thing I can’t find any info about online. I assumed I’d need some more fuses but where they actually go is conflicting across loads of posts. 

4 hours ago, MotorMouth said:

Maybe my HS switch on the adapter was set the wrong way.

.....and there is the problem. On a 2018 vehicle you should only be using the 'vLinker FS' cable not the much older ELM327 (modified) cable.

The communication speed of the old ELM327 and the change over of the switch (MS to HS) is not supported by newer versions of FORScan.

Get the vLinker FS from Amazon or a main supplier.

EG. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-vLinker-Adapter-FORScan-MS-CAN/dp/B0952P4MLP/ref=sr_1_2

OR. https://www.obd2shop.co.uk/wholesale/vgate-vlinker-fs-elm327-for-ford.html

Check out the fuse information in the owners handbook:

https://www.ford.co.uk/support/vehicle/ranger-2011/2018/owner-manuals

On 2/3/2025 at 11:04 AM, unofix said:

Check out the fuse information in the owners handbook:

https://www.ford.co.uk/support/vehicle/ranger-2011/2018/owner-manuals

@unofix Unfortunately my fuse box (top half) was different than this one as I have the 3.2 and there is no position for fuses there (47 & 51).

The bottom half already had the 2 square fuses installed (64 & 87) so nothing to add there.

 

 

Using the new cable you suggested I do indeed get some exciting new options to play with however I'm still not sure what to turn on to get this thing working.

 BCM Module options

 IPC Module options

 Current error messages on the DTC

 

I'm starting to realise just why I can't find a comprehensive guide to this, so i'm thinking I might have to write my own if we ever crack it 😅

 

There are 3 things that I would try enabling.

I don't think your trailer module is fully powered up.

It would seem the Canbus system knows the trailer module is there even if it has lost comms with it.

28 minutes ago, unofix said:

There are 3 things that I would try enabling.

No good unfortunately. With the "...productivity screen" option I get a message saying;

 

Thing I can't understand is that Forscan can see the module...

But when i click the option for "Trailer Tow Activation" from the main screen, I get a this!

 

I'm totally stuck as to why the car can only "sort of" see the module. There's surely got to be something missing here...