When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
After reading what's involved I'm going to leave my 17 Lariat alone! Having said that I'm probably one of the few owners that's actually been BITTEN by tailgate popping open. Last summer was driving to a friends place to install some new countertops. Got there and walked to back of the truck and EURKA.. wtf the tail gate is down. I immediate notice my almost brand new Makita 18v mini driver set is MIA! I was more then upset cause they cost me over 250 bucks and had hardly been used. Of course I immediately jump in my truck and start back tracking. It's only a 6 mile ride so unless someone found it it's out there. Drove all the way back but no Makita bag but there were weeds 2 and 3ft tall on the side of the road almost all the way back to my place. How to find it assuming it wasn't already grabbed by someone?
So I had my very large Tibetan Mastiff jump in with me. Drove to where I thought I heard a noise and stopped the truck on the side of the road. Started walking him in the tall grass and weeds and within 10 mins he found the tools......I WAS SO HAPPY! They were all fine except the Makita bag had a rip in it! Obviously he was well rewarded with some extra special food for dinner..... lol Thought I'd post his picture as he's a great dog even without finding my lost tools....
Its not that bad. I originally just pushed a wire in through the back side of the plug (pin 11) and it worked without even removing the plug from the frame. This probably would have worked permanently with a good tape job but chose to add the pin. It is a great mod.
Good job PUP !
Last edited by Tom HAYDEN; 07-10-2018 at 09:08 PM.
Reason: DD
What would have been keeping the white retainer from seating flush if the pins are pushed all the way down in the connector?
If the pins are not inserted in the proper direction (there is a right side up) or all the way through, the hooks in the connector will not seat which lock the pins in place. The hooks need to be seated properly for the white retainer clip to be inserted. The white retainer holds the hooks in the locked position. It is possible some other pins backed out or shifted which prevented the hooks from locking.
Also, the Digi Key or aftermarket pins are stamped slightly differently than official motocraft ones and are a major pain in the **** when doing this. I learned that lesson on my headlights. I will never use aftermarket pins again because even if the part number is correct, they royally suck and lead to this problem.
If the pins are not inserted in the proper direction (there is a right side up) or all the way through, the hooks in the connector will not seat which lock the pins in place. The hooks need to be seated properly for the white retainer clip to be inserted. The white retainer holds the hooks in the locked position. It is possible some other pins backed out or shifted which prevented the hooks from locking.
Also, the Digi Key or aftermarket pins are stamped slightly differently than official motocraft ones and are a major pain in the **** when doing this. I learned that lesson on my headlights. I will never use aftermarket pins again because even if the part number is correct, they royally suck and lead to this problem.
Thanks Ape, which way does the little barb face on the pin? Each row towards the center of the connector??? Still can't find the connector part but he found a harness part number sticker a little bit ago.
The part number he just gave me GL3T-13A409-KA turned up no results found on 2 sites
EDIT- the barb on the pins face towards the the shell of the connector..
Thanks Ape, which way does the little barb face on the pin? Each row towards the center of the connector??? Still can't find the connector part but he found a harness part number sticker a little bit ago.
You can look in the connector. There is a little latch that will lock into that barb. Just make sure the barb on the pin is facing that latch.
You can look in the connector. There is a little latch that will lock into that barb. Just make sure the barb on the pin is facing that latch.
Thanks storkpkp, will have to do that when the sweat is not running into our eyeballs, a humid 97 today--sucks. If I can find a connector ,hold in my hand and examined it,instead of laying on back that would help.
Just an worthless fyi- the part number from the sticker on the harness near the connector that is on post #104 is not the part number, but is actually an manufacturing number. So my neighbor ordered the complete harness (<50) and should be here in a 2-3 days.The harness controls led brake lights, tails, turns, bliss. cross traffic and the switch by the tail light for the led bed lights.Hopefully this keeps him busy but I heard this is pretty easy just removing tails and switch.This harness doesn't wire into reverse sensors or back up camera. He did order me the combo switches (pedal adj-tailgate) for the dash when I get around to getting up at 4am to do my install.He also mentioned he also ordered one for himself, now I know were this is going to go,lol.
[QUOTE=tinner1;5843004.... He did order me the combo switches (pedal adj-tailgate) for the dash when I get around to getting up at 4am to do my install.He also mentioned he also ordered one for himself, now I know were this is going to go,lol.[/QUOTE]
please let me know how your 4am work goes. If it goes better than mine usually do maybe we can collaborate for the next one
So let me get this right----I just need a Switch and one pigtail wire to connect to one side of the switch (the other wire GRD) and do my Forscan magic and I have Tailgate ajar on my 18? Does it really matter if the switch is NC or NO ??
Has anyone done this to their 18 yet and where did you put the switch because my tailgate looks a little diff than picture posted of where the read switch was installed
07-10-2018, 08:47 PM
Having said that I'm probably one of the few owners that's actually been BITTEN by tailgate popping open. Last summer was driving to a friends place to install some new countertops. Got there and walked to back of the truck and EURKA.. wtf the tail gate is down. I immediate notice my almost brand new Makita 18v mini driver set is MIA! I was more then upset cause they cost me over 250 bucks and had hardly been used. Of course I immediately jump in my truck and start back tracking. It's only a 6 mile ride so unless someone found it it's out there. Drove all the way back but no Makita bag but there were weeds 2 and 3ft tall on the side of the road almost all the way back to my place. How to find it assuming it wasn't already grabbed by someone?
