Member Since: 17 Jul 2009
Location: London
Posts: 55
Tow electrics help
I am hoping one of you experts may have some suggestions for this strange fault.
Just over a year and a half ago I fitted the original YWJ500201 tow electrics kit to my 2008 Discover HSE.
The installation seemed idiot proof as the connectors just plugged into each other so hopefully I haven't done anything wrong.
I didn't use the tow electrics or test them for a couple of months before I had the annual service. As part of the service at North One Land Rover I asked for the tow electrics to be enabled. While attempting to enable the tow electrics all kinds of problems started and the vehicle became stuck in high mode. After 6 weeks, a new steering angle sensor, a new suspension control module, a new suspension air reservoir valve and over £1,000, I got my Land Rover back with apparently functioning tow electrics.
Annoyingly, I wasn't able to test the tow electrics until now and there seems to be a fault.
When I plug in the 7 pin electrics the suspension still raises and the rear parking sensors bleep, so I assume the garage did not program the tow function. But more annoying and confusing is that the indicators illuminate when the brakes are applied as well as the brake lights. The rest of the function are fine, left, right, and rear lights.
I have connected a negative from a spare 12V battery to the white ground wire on the trailer electrics and then have applied a positive to each of the terminals. All the lights function as they should according to tow wiring diagrams I have found.
Does anyone have any idea why the indicators are illuminating (not flashing) as well as the brake lights when the brake pedal is pressed?
Thank you
Ben
21st Jul 2018 8:59 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10360
do you have LED indicators on the trailer ?
check pin 3 on the car has a good connection to chassis earth
21st Jul 2018 9:20 pm
fishgrass
Member Since: 17 Jul 2009
Location: London
Posts: 55
Hello Pete
The tow board is an old one with standard bulbs no LED's.
I will test that pin 3 has a good ground in the morning and report back.
Thanks
Ben
21st Jul 2018 9:44 pm
fishgrass
Member Since: 17 Jul 2009
Location: London
Posts: 55
Morning Pete
The ground connection is good from pin 3.
Is there any way I could have fitted the connectors round the wrong way when installing the tow electrics?
Seems odd as the indicators are the right way round.
Thanks
Ben
22nd Jul 2018 11:27 am
Alan B
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: Fife
Posts: 6528
As far as I know, tow electrics are plug and play,
Nothing needed enabled on mine.
I intermittently have a problem with ifor Williams trailer with the old type lights. I just wiggle connector cable pin into d3 and hey presto.
My new ifor with LED lights works every time though.
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22nd Jul 2018 11:29 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10360
later cars require programming.
I bet they have configured it to USA trailer spec !
Need to take it to someone to can modify the cars config.
You may also wish to purchase a cheap trailer light board off ebay, to prove to who ever looks at it the problem and that is it fixed.
22nd Jul 2018 1:30 pm
fishgrass
Member Since: 17 Jul 2009
Location: London
Posts: 55
Thanks Alan
I have been doing more testing and I am really confused as to how the readings are so wrong.
I have been testing in the following way:
Connecting a 12v bulb' s negative to the car chassis then placing the positive from the bulb end in to the tow electrics.
Pin 1 l/h flasher is fine
pin 4 r/h flasher is fine
pin 4, 5 and 1 are all live when the brake is pressed
pin 6 live when side lights are on
pin 7 live when side lights are on
As the electrics seem to be plug and play, does anyone have an idea of what could be wrong?
Thanks
Ben
22nd Jul 2018 1:47 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10360
I think you have mixed up 5 and 6 in your numbering? from memory????
Isn't 6 the stop light ?
As said I think they have enabled the towbar/trailer to be USA spec
22nd Jul 2018 1:56 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
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22nd Jul 2018 2:56 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10360
what happens if you brake and indicate left at the same time?
Does the left indicator light flash ?
and right indicator stay solid ?
If it does, it sounds very much USA spec
22nd Jul 2018 3:02 pm
fishgrass
Member Since: 17 Jul 2009
Location: London
Posts: 55
Hello Pete
If I indicate left while braking then the left indicator flashes correctly but the right indicator lights solid as well as the brake lights illuminating.
If I indicate right while braking then the right indicator flashes correctly but the the left indicator lights solid as well as the brake lights illuminating.
Does this mean I have some kind of USA spec?
Thanks for your help
Ben
22nd Jul 2018 5:33 pm
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
Looks like USA spec enabled to me as well. USA still use Red brake lights as flashers in some states so what you have would, with their trailer socket I believe, do exactly that.
22nd Jul 2018 5:38 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10360
Yeah looks like incorrect option enabled
22nd Jul 2018 6:03 pm
fishgrass
Member Since: 17 Jul 2009
Location: London
Posts: 55
Thanks
So do you think this a dealer programming issue or something I need to unplug or plug in?
Thanks
Ben
22nd Jul 2018 6:04 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10360
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