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Which wires give constant, ignition and ground on a 2021 Ford Explorer?
On a 2021 Ford Explorer, take constant power from the Gray/Red wire at the gateway module plug C2431 (black 24-pin), pin 24, behind the BCM, and ground to the Black/Purple wire at the gateway module plug C2431, pin 14. Meter every wire first.
Written by API Signal, fleet GPS and camera installers for 35+ years across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, installing every major telematics and camera brand. Every wire on this page lists its source.
Test every wire with a meter before you tap it
No wiring information is ever guaranteed. Colors and locations change with trim, options and build date, and the manufacturer can change them in the middle of a model year. We share this as a starting point for installers, and you are responsible for confirming every connection on the truck in front of you.
This page covers the 2021 Ford Explorer, the civilian SUV. The police version has its own pages.
This Explorer has push-button start. iDatalink gives the gateway plug, hazard and hood pin wires; most other body signals are on the data bus, so this page leans on fuse taps. Our own team has not yet metered these on a 2021 truck, and each row says so.
OBD-II portUnder the driver dash
Best power spotGateway plug and fuse taps
System voltage12V
Ignition typePush-button (key on some 2020)
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Where do I get constant, ignition and ground on a 2021 Ford Explorer?
Take constant, ignition and ground from the same area.
Option 1 Constant and ground
Gateway module plug
Behind the BCM, driver side under the dash.
Constant
Gray/Red
Gateway module plug C2431 (black 24-pin), pin 24, behind the BCMAlways hot. From the iDatalink install guide for 2016 to 2024 Explorers.
Ignition
Fuse tap
Not found as a wireiDatalink reads ignition over the data bus. Use a fuse tap (Option 2).
Ground
Black/Purple
Gateway module plug C2431, pin 14Ground at the same plug.
The push button plug (C2195, pin 1, green) is a signal wire. Ford's service message says do not tap it.
Option 2 Fuse taps
Dash fuse box
Under the dash, left of the steering column.
Constant
Fuse tap
Dash fuse box, fuse 29 (spare)Installers report fuse 29 is a spare slot with constant power. Meter it.
Ignition
Fuse tap
Dash fuse box, fuse 2 or fuse 37Installers used fuse 2 on a 2020 and fuse 37 (spare) on a 2022 and a 2026 for accessory power. Meter it.
Ground
Body ground
Body metal under the dashClean, bare metal only. Never the battery negative post.
The run/start relay fuse is 34 (30A) and the ignition switch fuse is 20 (5A). Do not tap them.
Gateway colors from the iDatalink install guide for 2016 to 2024 Explorers. Fuse slots from Explorer owner forum posts. Check the fuse chart on your truck.
What are the turn signal, reverse and light wires on a 2021 Ford Explorer?
Circuit
Wire color
Location and what it does
Left turnNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundWe found no source for this wire.
Right turnNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundWe found no source for this wire.
Park lightNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundWe found no source for this wire.
HeadlightNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundWe found no source for this wire.
ReverseNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundWe found no source for this wire.
Dome lightNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundWe found no source for this wire.
Each chip shows the main insulation color with its stripe. Source: the iDatalink install guide for 2016 to 2024 Explorers.
Where are the brake, door, speed and CAN wires on a 2021 Ford Explorer?
Circuit
Wire color
Location and what it does
BrakeNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundNot found on the civilian Explorer. The police version has it at a cargo area upfit plug.
DoorsNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundData bus only in iDatalink.
HazardNegative -Not yet checked
Brown
Blue
BCM plug C2280B (black 52-pin), pin 19Hazard switch input. iDatalink says Brown or Blue.
Hood pinNegative -Not yet checked
Brown/Orange
BCM plug C2280F (black 40-pin), pin 14Empty on trucks built without a hood switch.
Parking brakeNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundWe found no source for this wire.
Vehicle speedNot foundNot yet checked
Not found
Not foundNot found on the civilian Explorer.
CAN busDataNot yet checked
Blue (HS high)
White (HS low)
Gray (MS high)
Orange (MS low)
Gateway module plug C2431, pins 20 and 19 (high speed), 23 and 22 (medium speed)From iDatalink, which prints different colors here than for 2016 to 2019. Never cut or splice them.
Sources: the iDatalink install guide for 2016 to 2024 Explorers, a Ford service message and Explorer owner forum posts. Ford's wiring diagrams are paywalled; most body wires were not found.
Which years share wiring with the 2021 Ford Explorer?
This page2021iDatalink 2020 to 2024 guide plus owner fuse notes.
Same wiring2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024iDatalink covers 2020 to 2024 Explorers as one install, and Ford uses one fuse chart for these years.
Not this page2019 and older, or 2025 and newerThe 2025 refresh moved to Ford's new electrical system. We have not published it: no wire colors exist yet.
Where are the fuse boxes and ground points on a 2021 Ford Explorer?
InteriorLeft of the steering columnFuse 29 spare constant, fuse 2 or 37 accessory (installer reports). Fuse 34 is the run/start relay.
Under the hoodPower distribution boxIn the engine compartment.
Ground pointsClean body metalUse clean, bare body metal, never the battery negative post.
Fuse numbers from a transcription of Ford's owner's manual and owner posts. Our team has not yet checked them on a truck.
Where is the OBD-II port on a 2021 Ford Explorer?
OBD II
Diagnostic portOBD-II port: under the driver dashPlug-in GPS trackers and OBD harnesses connect here. Check the port before you plan the install.
Common questions about 2021 Ford Explorer wiring
What wire is constant power on a 2021 Ford Explorer?
Gray/Red at the gateway module plug C2431 (black 24-pin), pin 24, behind the BCM. Always hot. Meter it before you tap it.
Where is the CAN bus on a 2021 Ford Explorer?
Blue (HS high) and White (HS low) and Gray (MS high) and Orange (MS low) at the gateway module plug C2431, pins 20 and 19 (high speed), 23 and 22 (medium speed). From iDatalink, which prints different colors here than for 2016 to 2019.
Which years share wiring with the 2021 Ford Explorer?
2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. iDatalink covers 2020 to 2024 Explorers as one install, and Ford uses one fuse chart for these years.
Help build this page
Had the panels off on one of these? Show the next installer what you found.
No one has sent photos for the 2021 Ford Explorer yet, so yours could be the first. Every photo, wire color and tip we use goes on this page with your name on it, and it saves the next installer time under the dash.
1. Snap it
The plugs, tap points, fuse boxes and ground points. Phone photos are fine.
2. Send it
Tap "Add yours" at the top of this page. Your tip and your photos go in the same box.
3. See your name on it
We check every tip, then post it here "Compliments of" you, by name.
Compliments of
The installers who helped build this page.
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Founding contributor spot: openThe first installer to confirm a wire or send photos for the 2021 Ford Explorer gets their name here, and it stays here.
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