Chuck S Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Just found this forum and not a minute too soon. We purchased a used 2016 Connect Wagon and look forward to being able to haul the kiddos around along with all the "necessaries" that go with them. We plan to haul it to Florida on a tow dolly and use it there for the winter. I am trying to get things in order and am in the process of installing a Class II Curt trailer hitch and Euro 2" ball mount and keyless entry keypad. I have found the thread on the keypad and will use it to install mine. The problem I am faced with now is finding a wiring harness to install along with the hitch. I have tried the Curt p/n 56218 but find that the harness plugs they supply do not fit and can't use it. I am in contact with the tech guys at Curt but they don't yet have a clue. Hopefully they will find out that Ford changed the plugs on the taillight harness and make the correction but I don't have time for that to happen. Question: Has anyone on this forum solved this problem or found a suitable harness that I can get hold of? Is it possible that my friendly Ford dealer may have the solution in his parts book? Chuck S. Northville, MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 Welcome. I think it was the member named chong who did the hitch install himself. He can probably guide you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 I hope these videos on youtube help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 You may have to resort to the old fashion method of using a tap connector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonShockley Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) Here's a prior thread on the factory hitch install. It includes some info on the factory trailer wiring add-on, including a lot of photos from the dealer install in my vehicle. The link to the instructions in that thread is dead so here's another link to the copy I made of the pdf. Factory hitch install thread Factory Wiring Installation Instructions pdf (Note: The instructions cover several vehicles, the Transit Connect is in the middle) Edited October 6, 2016 by DonShockley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 E- trailer has the wiring harness that is plug and play. no splicing, and 1 wire to the rear fuse block. The curt hitch is a very easy install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 9 hours ago, Chuck S said: We purchased a used 2016 Connect Wagon I have tried the Curt p/n 56218 but find that the harness plugs they supply do not fit and can't use it. I am in contact with the tech guys at Curt but they don't yet have a clue. Hopefully they will find out that Ford changed the plugs on the taillight harness and make the correction but I don't have time for that to happen. Question: Has anyone on this forum solved this problem or found a suitable harness that I can get hold of? Is it possible that my friendly Ford dealer may have the solution in his parts book? Apparently, the harness is different on the 2016. So Chuck needs the part number for the correct harness. Chuck wants to find the correct harness connectors for the 2016 model year, then splice them into his Curt 56218, so that he can then plug & play via the OEM harness. I would simply cut the Curt 56218 connectors off, and tap the wires right into the OEM wiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 A used 2016? It's still 2016. How many miles are on it? What is the backstory? Repo? Rental? Lease return? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Chuck should contact E-Trailer, they have at least 3 or four companies that supply a harness listing for the 2016. They could most likely help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toomanytoyz Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Just did the install on my 2016 wagon. Used a Tekonsha kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck S Posted October 15, 2016 Author Share Posted October 15, 2016 Thanks for the suggestions. I contacted the Curt tech guy and had a relatively brief chat. The first thing he asked was whether I had the double doors or a hatchback. When I answered "hatchback" he responded with "I've been trying to tell them for months that they are different but the won't listen." Soooo, I returned the Curt harness and ordered a T-One from Etrailer. Same result, no joy. The Etrailer tech guy is going to contact his suppliers on Monday and will get back to me. Thanks DonShockley for the service manual reprint. The Ford harness looks like it could be a bit of a project to install but I may end up having to do it anyway. Fifty150, my vehicle was a lease car with just under 14K on it. Pretty good condition with minimum detailing needed. I had been considering buying new with all the incentives that Ford was offering but this one came along for $11 grand less with a lot of the bumper to bumper warranty left on it so I jumped. Installed the Curt hitch without a lift in about 20 minutes, piece of cake. We like the car, plenty of fun and lots of room for two toddlers in car seats as well as their parents in the third row. Over the winter months this will be perfect as a toad behind our motorhome (on a tow dolly). More info as it happens... Still wondering why Ford uses different connectors on double doors vs hatchbacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Probably because the barn doors models are based on the cargo version. I guess that's the origin of the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 3 hours ago, Chuck S said: Still wondering why Ford uses different connectors on double doors vs hatchbacks. The OEMs do a lot of things that only make sense to them, but not to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 The harness's are different because the feed point on the barn doors is from both sides for the wipers and the window heater and the hatchback has the feed on the roof. Two different harness's the opportunity for different connectors or wiring lay out. Do you have a picture of the Hatch back connector's so we could see the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck S Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 I DO have a couple of pictures but can't find how to post them here. Can I get a quick tutorial? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck S Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 Aha! The problem she is fixed! See attached photos. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 You found a kit with the correct harness? Who makes it? What is the part no.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck S Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 NO, the problem that is fixed is that I have discovered how to post pics. These pics are of the harness plug in my hatchback version TC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Which side of the TC is that connector on? Is the one on the other side the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck S Posted October 17, 2016 Author Share Posted October 17, 2016 The photos are of the drivers side. I have not gotten in to the passenger side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Thanks the Plot thickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 2013 Ford Fiesta Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector (hatch Back ) Seems to have the same plugs as your TC. Get the people at E-Trailer Takes some good pictures of the plugs so you can compare. Keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Here is the picture of the 2013 Fiesta Hatch back kit . It looks like the same plugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chong Posted October 18, 2016 Share Posted October 18, 2016 On 10/5/2016 at 4:18 PM, mrtn said: Welcome. I think it was the member named chong who did the hitch install himself. He can probably guide you. I only use the hitch for carrying my bike rack. I didn't bother wiring up the harness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck S Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 After talking with Bill E at E Trailer I can report that he confirms that the connectors are different for the 180 doors vs the hatchback. The 2013 Fiesta plugs look right but they are not sure of the pin out for the harness or the length of the wire. These are being checked out. The head of the electrical dept. at Tekonsha is at E-Trailer this week and will be brought up to speed. Once they have done their homework, E-Trailer expects to have the proper harness in stock but don't get too excited just yet, it may take a while. I'll post here when I get any news. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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