Member Since: 18 Jan 2015
Location: Fareham
Posts: 42
Towing electrics issue
Afternoon,
I am assisting my sons cub scout group tomorrow on moving a sailing boat for them for some winter maintenance.
We have checked the socket and all is well regarding voltages, but when we plug in the trailer board in, I get transmission fault, oil pressure yellow lamp and some other lamps on.
The trailer lamps all work.although quite dim, but I don't get the trailer dash lamp flashing with the indicators.
First time I have towed with this disco and I have LEDs in the rear lamps except the indicators.
Q. Am i safe to drive with the various dash lamps on?
Q. Any suggestions to explain the issues?
Many thanks
Leigh
7th Nov 2015 3:37 pm
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
Could be an earthing issue. Does the board work on another vehicles. Check that the earth pin has a good connection on the vehicle and the board.
7th Nov 2015 5:16 pm
Leigh-b
Member Since: 18 Jan 2015
Location: Fareham
Posts: 42
The board is not mine, and yes it works on the other guys car. We checked ll my pins and the voltages and earth are good.
regards
Leigh
7th Nov 2015 6:07 pm
Jumper9895
Member Since: 10 Jun 2015
Location: Swanmore, Southampton
Posts: 226
Hi Leigh, don't have a answer as to the fault, BUT, I live just outside Fareham and if you get stuck for someone to move the boat, give me a call.......... I'll PM you my mobile number
Regards
DaveBest Regards,
Dave.
[URL=][/URL]
7th Nov 2015 6:09 pm
Leigh-b
Member Since: 18 Jan 2015
Location: Fareham
Posts: 42
Very kind offer Dave, much appreciated.
Ill give it a go as the there is no apparent issues with the car when its plugged in. If there is an issue then ill risk it and unplug.
regards
Leigh
7th Nov 2015 10:34 pm
Leigh-b
Member Since: 18 Jan 2015
Location: Fareham
Posts: 42
I got it from Fareham to hedge end.....9 miles
Soon as the trailer electrics went in my rear red lights started flashing and my front side lights. These are all LED. No faults on the dash but When I turned the lights on everything stopped flashing but then I had fault lights on the dash.
special programs fail
oil temp amber
tyre pressure amber
suspension amber after the car self levelled (dash message)
fog lights lamp on
all good once I disconnected buy i need to investigate further!
regards
Leigh
8th Nov 2015 1:59 pm
Jumper9895
Member Since: 10 Jun 2015
Location: Swanmore, Southampton
Posts: 226
Glad you got sorted!
Wow, almost full house!........ Might be interesting to see if the fault persists if you swop back to standard bulbs on yours......LEDs work with strange electrickery!.........otherwise, assuming the trailer board worked okay, sounds like a dodgy towing socket or loom
As for my beast..... Took the cover off the compressor, started her up and squirted soap solution over the air dryer cap, and it looked like a jacuzzi! ....... Now just have to decide whether to go with a new dryer cap, £40ish, or whether that would be a false economy and line Local Indy pockets and get a new compressor fitted......looks like it's the original in there atm.Best Regards,
Dave.
[URL=][/URL]
8th Nov 2015 3:05 pm
Leigh-b
Member Since: 18 Jan 2015
Location: Fareham
Posts: 42
Plugged in the Iid tool and had lots of trailer lights short to battery or open act faults.
Think ill buy a test plug for the tower socket. Pull some fuses and see if I can trace the fault.
.........
Im guessing you use West 4x4 ?
Used them for my last service, good price and good service.
regards
Leigh
8th Nov 2015 6:38 pm
Sly666
Member Since: 15 Dec 2014
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 459
As your trailer side lights and brake lights are LED, these will pick up the CANBUS flashes sent from the ECU to test the bulbs.
Its the indicators which trigger the towing light on the dash. You mention these are not LED,so the car should see the trailer connected and flash the trailer light on the dash when indicating.
I would certainly pull your light socket apart. Every one ive seen uses brass pins with mild steel screws holding the wires in. Daft!.
Do you get the issue if you plug in a standard non LED lighting board?
I use full LED submersible lights on my boat trailer. All working perfectly. You need a bypass relay, 2x power resistors, and a switch.
11th Nov 2015 11:30 pm
Leigh-b
Member Since: 18 Jan 2015
Location: Fareham
Posts: 42
Thanks for replying,
I may have not explained it very well.
The trailer board is fitted with standard bulbs. Its my friends and works on his Suzuki.
When connected with my engine on and lights off, my LED front sidelights, my LED rear lights and LED brake lights all flash rapidly continuously until I turn the lights on. Once on, the dash faults appear.
I will take the plug off and check the terminals again and do some fault finding.
regards
Leigh
12th Nov 2015 9:31 pm
Sly666
Member Since: 15 Dec 2014
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 459
Sorry I misunderstood.
Mine only has front led side light. All the rest are filament bulbs.
It sounds light a grounding problem. Check your trailer socket, plug, and light fittings.
Are you cars led bulbs the retrofit type. Do they have the resistors built in?
Last edited by Sly666 on 12th Nov 2015 9:41 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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