BigBerky Posted January 26, 2021 Report Share Posted January 26, 2021 Hello, My LED lighting bar on my liftgate is out. Anybody else have this issue? Maybe some advise on a fix? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2021 It’s a 2015. The led red light strip (not brake light) is supposed to come on with the headlights. I just bought it and put a tow package light kit on it ( jumps off the rear tail lights). I have not idea if they were working before this. Maybe related?? Likely not?? I removed the rear interior gate panel and reseated the connectors I would guess belong to this part. Still no go. maybe if someone knew the plug and voltage for this to get juice? Maybe determine if the whole light system for that part is bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1004ron Posted January 26, 2021 Report Share Posted January 26, 2021 (edited) 37 minutes ago, BigBerky said: It’s a 2015. The led red light strip (not brake light) is supposed to come on with the headlights. I just bought it and put a tow package light kit on it ( jumps off the rear tail lights). I have not idea if they were working before this. Maybe related?? Likely not?? I removed the rear interior gate panel and reseated the connectors I would guess belong to this part. Still no go. maybe if someone knew the plug and voltage for this to get juice? Maybe determine if the whole light system for that part is bad. The light bar should work if its a Sport. Please add your location and vehicle model year to your profile signature - https://www.fordedgeforum.com/settings/signature/ Edited January 26, 2021 by 1004ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onyxbfly Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, BigBerky said: It’s a 2015. The led red light strip (not brake light) is supposed to come on with the headlights. I just bought it and put a tow package light kit on it ( jumps off the rear tail lights). I have not idea if they were working before this. Maybe related?? Likely not?? I removed the rear interior gate panel and reseated the connectors I would guess belong to this part. Still no go. maybe if someone knew the plug and voltage for this to get juice? Maybe determine if the whole light system for that part is bad. Is it Titanium, or a Sport? Only those two trim packages have the rear light bar. The SE and The SEL is all show and no go. Its simply there for esthetics. Edited January 27, 2021 by onyxbfly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 It’s a sport. I didn’t know this part lights up until this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1004ron Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 16 minutes ago, BigBerky said: It’s a sport. I didn’t know this part lights up until this morning. I know you've got that in the thread title, but to avoid repeatadly being asked, you could put that detail in your your profile signature - https://www.fordedgeforum.com/settings/signature/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 Just updated my profile. Thanks! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1004ron Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 The connectors for the Third Brake Light and the Light Bar are at the top of the lift-gate near the Third Brake Light. I cant find an electrical schematic, only the attached showing how to access the connectors. Liftgate RI.pdf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 2 hours ago, BigBerky said: It’s a 2015. The led red light strip (not brake light) is supposed to come on with the headlights. I just bought it and put a tow package light kit on it ( jumps off the rear tail lights). I have not idea if they were working before this. Maybe related?? Likely not?? I removed the rear interior gate panel and reseated the connectors I would guess belong to this part. Still no go. maybe if someone knew the plug and voltage for this to get juice? Maybe determine if the whole light system for that part is bad. Brought up before. How to remove (3rd post down) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 Ok thank you! I’m going to check the upper connection tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 @BigBerky Do the reverse lights work? They are on the same light assembly. I also remember there was a member with a 2015 Sport that came from the factory with a SE/SEL middle light section that does not illuminate, I'd suggest to check the connector and make sure it has all the pins. The connector for the light bar should be in the middle of the lift gate after removing the trim. There are 3 connectors, not sure which one is for the parking lights, might check all 3. Reversing Lamp RI.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 By back up lights do work. Everything works correctly except the light bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 Hello guys, I visually inspected and reseated the connections behind the top interior gate panel. Still no go on the light bar. Without a wiring breakdown, it’s hard to tell what wires feed power to the led light strip. I called Tekonsha ( the trailer wiring kit manufacturer). They have not heard of any issues with their wiring kit resulting in my issue. I did install the correct kit for my sport. Could the kit still be the cause? I find this unlikely, but I’m no expert on wiring kits. It does appear the lit panel is the original part from the factory and all connections seat firmly. I’m leaning toward broken wire or a plug pin not making connection. Without wiring info I’m flying blind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted January 28, 2021 Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 Think I'd try disconnecting the tow harness, reconnect the original connections and test. (Isolates the tow harness which can indeed by wired wrong.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 Hey guys, I disconnected the trailer wiring and I still no lights. I removed the reflector/light bar back up light assembly from the vehicle and found the wires that power the led lights. It’s the green, red and black wires and they do have their own plug. Visually inspected everything...no wire breaks. The 3 wires in question lead to a tiny circuit board inside the light bar assembly. There is a tiny plug that connects the wires to the board. I reseated this plug and still no lights. The tiny circuit board inside is loose, but I can’t get at this board other than to reseat the plug. There may be bad solder joints on this tiny board, but the part is not designed to be serviced. Big surprise. I would have to chop a hole in the back of the light bar to access this tiny board. This would be a last ditch before buying a new light bar assembly at the cost of $1200!! Anyone have any ideas? This part is not fused separate and everything else works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1004ron Posted January 28, 2021 Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 Having done a fair amount of hobby electronics I'd assess the function of that Printed Circuit Board and possibly repair it, but with the tightly packed surface mount stuff these days repairs are way more difficult. You could try find a local electronics repair place who might be able to diagnose it for you. You could also post clear photos of both sides of the PC Board and we might be able to tell what its meant to do and offer some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 Thank you, I’m going to check the voltage to the plug tonight to make sure it’s getting power. I would guess it low voltage? I would image if there is any power to this plug when the headlights are on, the circuit is functional up to the lights themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 Here is the tiny board trapped inside the light bar. Less than ideal design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted January 28, 2021 Report Share Posted January 28, 2021 If you decide to buy, check eBay. This guy has one for $700 (ouch). Could offer him $600. https://www.ebay.com/itm/224328608493 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2021 Thanks for the link. I’m not sure I would spend that much, but who knows. I’ve got 11.5 volts to the last connection before it plugs into the circuit board. I would guess this is correct. Really leaning toward the little circuit board on the inside with the leds or whatever else is in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2021 Update: Upon further investigation, my light bar does not have lights installed. Either it was like this from the factory, or a previous owner replaced the unit and went cheap. Also, the wires leading to the tiny board inside the unit are for the back up lights. Bummer. enough time spent. thanks everyone for your input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 More info: My rear gate lacks the wiring to illuminate a light bar. Must have come from the factory this way. My edge is the loaded sport model (every option available). Why would they build this rig and skip on this? Makes me wonder what else I’m missing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 How do the side taillights illuminate? Do you have amber or red rear turn signals? I am asking out of curiosity because they are supposed to match the middle part. SE/SEL have different side taillights than Titanium/Sport models. The look the same, but illuminate differently. I posted some photos here previously. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBerky Posted January 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 My side tail lights illuminate like a sport or titanium model should according to your pictures. I have an odd situation with my tailgate. Even if I purchase the correct light bar, I don’t have the wiring to make it work. Ford put an entire lift gate for a SE/SEL on a top sport model? Bizarre. Nice quality control at Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1004ron Posted January 31, 2021 Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 1 minute ago, BigBerky said: My side tail lights illuminate like a sport or titanium model should according to your pictures. I have an odd situation with my tailgate. Even if I purchase the correct light bar, I don’t have the wiring to make it work. Ford put an entire lift gate for a SE/SEL on a top sport model? Bizarre. Nice quality control at Ford. That is highly unlikely - if Ford actually did that, it would make it a "custom" build, which is more costly, even if it was to remove a feature. Quote It’s a 2015. The led red light strip (not brake light) is supposed to come on with the headlights. I just bought it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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