Grand Cherokee 7 pin connector issue
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4530
Printed Date: 08 Jun 2025 at 5:41am
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Topic: Grand Cherokee 7 pin connector issue
Posted By: P&M
Subject: Grand Cherokee 7 pin connector issue
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 10:31am
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I got a new (used) 2011 Grand Cherokee about 2 months ago for the moving trip across the country in May, and yesterday was my first chance to swing by and try to connect it to the Pod to make sure the wiring worked fine. Yup, you guessed it ... nothing worked. No lights, no signals, no power going thru to the electric brakes. The GC has both 7 pin and 4 pin connectors, and I can see that there is wiring at them.
I'm not an automotive type of guy ... any idea on where to start, or should I just head in to an RV service dealer to have it looked at? ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Replies:
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 11:33am
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Haed to the Ford dealer, trade that Jeep in for a F-150!!! ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 12:11pm
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Your Jeep dealer will know more about the connections at the Jeep end than anyone. The RV dealer will know about the connects on the Pod end. Thus the question which end has the problem? Jeep or Pod?
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Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 12:21pm
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Well, our Pod was working just fine with my previous TV, so I am guessing it is on the Jeep end. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 12:31pm
Jeep dealer it is then.
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 12:52pm
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While, in my heart, I agree with hogone... We all bear the cross we are given, so go have Jeep look at it, BUT before you go, read the owners manual and see if perchance there is a something simple, fuse/breaker/relay that needs to be done for the 7-pin to work.. That said.. while waiting for them to figure it out.. see if the they have any 150's on the lot..  ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 12:57pm
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No need to involve a dealer, the 7-pin Bargman connections are the same for all vehicles. If you have a voltmeter - or even just a 12 volt light with 2 bare wires, you can verify the output on the vehicle end is correct. Some things, like checking the brake lights and brake controller output may require 2 people, or you can jam a heavy toolbox in front of the brake pedal. You can also buy a tester which plugs into the Bargman and shows you which pins are active with LED lights. Here is the diagram:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f215/7-way-bargman-plug-wire-diagram-17438.html - http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f215/7-way-bargman-plug-wire-diagram-17438.html
If nothing at all works, the first thing to check is the line running to the ground pin. All of the other pins end up grounding at that same pin. Usually it is attached to a short wire that is firmly screwed to the vehicle's body near the Bargman. If that is corroded or loose there's your first repair.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 1:25pm
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Good ideas guys ... thanks. I'll check it out a bit more tomorrow since we have a very cold rain here today! ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 7:44pm
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What's wrong with a Jeep? When the going gets tough, the tough get a Jeep. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 8:09pm
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Its a Jeep thing. They wouldn't understand. That why they drive F-150's. ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: Hairy Podders
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2014 at 8:10pm
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Back on topic; A Uhaul dealer is really good at deciphering trailer plug issues too. ------------- Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 9:58am
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Thought it would be an easy fix. Found a missing fuse for "trailer" in the fuse box, bought and put in the 10amp it said (which seems low to me) and ran back over to the storage yard to try it out. No luck ... still nothing working.
So, today it is in at the dealer who sold it to me ... ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2014 at 1:39pm
I get it Jeeps are great unless you need a truck and since they don't make the Jeep trucks anymore in that case I would have to get a RAM1500. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2014 at 1:01pm
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All is working fine now, but am unsure of how and/or why. After keeping the Jeep all day the dealer said they didn't do anything to the wiring and that it tested out fine ... I had them prove it to me by hooking up the testing unit and it indeed worked great. Swung by the Pod today just to see, and now everything is working just perfectly.
Am pretty sure they found something and fixed it, but regardless it was under warranty so there was no charges involved and it works now ... Yay! ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2014 at 3:10pm
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Interesting. If I had to guess, I'd say they looked and maybe just touched the ground wire between the bargeman and the chassis and maybe just touching it was enough to get the connection to work. If you have the problem again that would be the first thing to check. You know everything is working fine now and the ground can be really sinister. If you do have the problem again, or maybe even anyway, you should probably put a new one of those scratch washers (I can't think what you call them, they are a form of lock washer with about 12 little teeth that cut into the metal you tighten it down on, thereby making a good electrical connection.) That and/or a squirt of oil or vaseline on the connection. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 7:01am
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Tars, I think you are thinking of a "star washer". Having restored several British cars, with their "positive earth" electrical systems, star washers are a mechanic's best friend. ------------- Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 8:37am
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That's it -- star washers -- of course. I just couldn't think of that. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 8:54am
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Question, what is, where is, what's it look like... the bargeman?? And just what does it do...? I see a lot of you are getting surge protectors.. starting my 3rd year, so far no problems with surges from the campgrounds.. (touching wood here) ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: Podsible Dream
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 5:55pm
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Hi Ron, The Bargeman connector is that fat round black connector that plugs into the socket by your trailer hitch. It contains all the individual wires that control lights and brakes on the trailer when you brake, turn on headlights or turn signals. On the 12V negative ground System on US cars, the ground connection is the prime connection as it carries all the return voltage to the electrical system of the tow vehicle. The surge protector protects your trailer electrical system when you are plugged into 'shore power'. The park systems can be subjected to voltage surges as folks plug and unplug from the system, surges which can burn up sensitive systems like microwaves, TV, and the like. I guess the first time one gets a surge, is the time one goes and buys a surge protector! After he replaces whatever got burned up! Walt ------------- Chris and Walt '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8 |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 7:52pm
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Thanks Walt, when the snow goes and it dries up.. with still 2-3ft snow on the flats that might take awhile, can't get to pod just yet... I will take a look and find the bargeman. Will think about the surge protector. What do you guys pay for one south of 49? ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: Broz
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 8:19pm
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Good Evening
I have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee and have had my R-Pod since last September and no issues. It may be a short in the wiring harness or it could be the electric brake controller. There are some models of controllers that do not work with jeeps - even if they say they do. I found a camper dealer that told me about it. We are on our second brake controller and this one works great.. ------------- Broz form IL |
Posted By: Podsible Dream
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 10:29pm
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Ron, those surge protectors run about 100 US at Camping World, for a portable style, up to 400 for a hard wired style. ------------- Chris and Walt '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8 |