Magwhy
Member Since: 27 Jun 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 40
  
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| Switching on Trailer / Tow Function at Stealers |
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Hi All,
I have fitted genuine 13pin electrics and just required the trailer function to be switched on. I ended up having to take to local stealers to get trailer function switched on.
I just hooked up van expecting trailer symbol to light up on display but nothing, all lights and indicators work ok on van, noticed green trailer symbol appear when indicators switched on. Put in reverse and parking sensors have permanent tone.
Have they done this properly? I thought a trailer symbol should appear permanently on dash display and rear sensors are switched off????
Can you advise before I give them a hard time 
regards
Nick
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 6th Aug 2013 9:08 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26708
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Rear park sensors should be inhibited. As should the rear fog lights, and possibly the reversing lights too.
My D4 asks me (via the touch screen) if I have connected a trailer when I hitch up. I then select Caravan from the the options. My car has tow assist.
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| 6th Aug 2013 9:11 pm |
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Magwhy
Member Since: 27 Jun 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 40
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I do not have tow assist, nothing shown on screen and I did not notice fog light or reverse lamps but reversing sensors are definitely on and camera shows on screen.
When they switch this function on is it just a case of selecting tow or do they have to select something on the sensors also?
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| 6th Aug 2013 9:21 pm |
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discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
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From memory they just tell the car what type of sockets are fitted, i.e. 13 pin, single 7 pin or twin 7 pin and there are a couple of variants on the twin 7 pin depending on how the fridge is wired. Basically they choose one of 4 or 5 options.
Someone with a faultmate will be along soon to list the options that can be set no doubt.
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| 6th Aug 2013 10:27 pm |
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Magwhy
Member Since: 27 Jun 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 40
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Can anyone with Faultmate advise?
Nick
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| 7th Aug 2013 6:35 am |
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bigcarpchaser
Member Since: 13 Oct 2007
Location: Camberley
Posts: 2270
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The trailer symbol only shows when the indicators flash on my D3, it doesn't light up as a matter of course. Welcome "Lola" 
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| 7th Aug 2013 6:55 am |
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anglefire
Member Since: 09 Mar 2010
Location: In the Club House
Posts: 4180
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That is correct Gary, its been a legal requirement since the 80's that the driver has visual indication that the towed vehicle indicators are working.  Mark.
2006, D3 SE Auto - gone but not forgotten.
2014 BMW 530d M Sport Tourer.
1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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| 7th Aug 2013 7:13 am |
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Magwhy
Member Since: 27 Jun 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 40
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I can confirm that the symbol illuminated with indicators, bt when I put in reverse sensors have solid tone and camera on is this correct?
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| 7th Aug 2013 7:15 am |
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promitheus
Member Since: 04 Jul 2009
Location: Afidnes, Greece
Posts: 570
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Magwhy, could you please tell me how much the towbar with electrics costs to buy as an option? Thanks.
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| 7th Aug 2013 7:28 am |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26708
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The park sensors should not operate when the trailer is attached, so you should take it back anyway.
I can't say if your camera should come on or not, because mine has tow assist, and uses the cameras under the mirrors to look down the sides of the caravan.
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| 7th Aug 2013 7:33 am |
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Washwipe
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169
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I don't have Tow Assist but the camera still works on selecting reverse, Trailer Indicator (as it should), Rear Fogs and Rear Parking disabled.
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| 7th Aug 2013 8:09 am |
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BarryT
Member Since: 09 Jan 2013
Location: North Wales
Posts: 295
  
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The trailer symbol pops up ok on my D3 when indicators are used, but my parking sensors are also continuous when selecting reverse, how much of a job is it to get this fixed at the dealer??
BarryT
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| 7th Aug 2013 12:21 pm |
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outofyorkshire
Member Since: 27 Apr 2009
Location: Emigrated to Notts
Posts: 1021
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On my D4 with no cameras or Tow assist.....13 pin electrics
Trailer flashes with indicators
Rear PDC disabled when reverse selected ... no tone
My trailer doesn't have reversing lights or rear fog so not sure what happens with them..  Cheers Ian
___________________________________________
MY13 FL2 HSE lux - just gone
MY10 D4 XS
MY07 D3 SE
Massey Ferguson 400 FIS AGTV - Arctic Cat by any other name...
Citroen C3 Picasso for SWMBO so we can remember what fuel economy is!!
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| 7th Aug 2013 4:24 pm |
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discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
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anglefire wrote:That is correct Gary, its been a legal requirement since the 80's that the driver has visual indication that the towed vehicle indicators are working.
That's not strictly true though Mark. It is widely accepted that the legislation can equally be interpreted that the driver has visual indication that the towed vehicle indicators are not working.
Many newer designed cars (last few years, not D3/4), with their complex electronic systems usually connected to the manufacturer supplied loom rather than an aftermarket one, tell you when the trailer lights don't work rather than when they do.
This is the case on our Volvo; hooked up the van, popped out one of the indicator bulbs on the van, put the indicator or and the dash display helpfully comes up with bong "Warning trailer LH indicator inoperative". Because I was bored I tried the same test with a brake light on the van and sure enough bong "Warning trailer stop lamp inoperative" displayed. The car doesn't display anything when the lights are operating correctly.
Don't know how it does it - I'm guessing its something to do with the box of tricks under the boot floor (Trailer control module according to Volvo) that cost £250 to have installed and configured on top of the price of the wiring 
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| 7th Aug 2013 4:57 pm |
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Magwhy
Member Since: 27 Jun 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 40
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Been back to dealers, they said that only part of the upload took?
It now works apparently but cannot test until Friday.
One thing I observed when paying it took just over a hour, when its down to them 15 to 20 mins 
At promethius do you mean as a option when spec car if so around £535, if you mean to buy parts separate I paid £165 for used tow bar c/w holder from well known auction and £110 for electrics ( fitted electrics myself) then £60 for activation at dealers.
Hope this answers your question.
Thanks all for answers/ responses.
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| 7th Aug 2013 5:10 pm |
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