Audi Q5 Tow Bar Electrical Problem

aprilian
aprilian Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited December 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

We recently bought a new Coachman VIP 520 and a 65 plate Audi Q5 to tow it. The car had no tow bar so we had an Audi one fitted. However when the car is towing it does not run the fridge or recharge the leisure battery. The fridge has been checked and the fault lies with the car. Monday will be our fourth visit to Audi to try and resolve the problem. The car has the correct fans fitted and even an extra wiring loom, still it doesn't  work. Has anyone else encoutered this problem? Was / how can it be resolved if at all?

Ian & April

Comments

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited December 2016 #2

    We recently bought a new Coachman VIP 520 and a 65 plate Audi Q5 to tow it. The car had no tow bar so we had an Audi one fitted. However when the car is towing it does not run the fridge or recharge the leisure battery. The fridge has been checked and the
    fault lies with the car. Monday will be our fourth visit to Audi to try and resolve the problem. The car has the correct fans fitted and even an extra wiring loom, still it doesn't  work. Has anyone else encoutered this problem? Was / how can it be resolved
    if at all?

    Ian & April

    This has been covered in previous posts, many German built vehicles do not come with fully wired towing electrics but I am surprised that your towbar fitter did not mention it.You need to go back to the towbar fitter and ask them to make sure it is fully
    wired.

  • aprilian
    aprilian Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited December 2016 #3

    We had read the previous posts. Audi are adamant that all wiring is there having had the second wiring loom added to the first one fitted. The caravan technician also spoke directly with Audi. On an Audi forum one person said that they had had to have a
    Q7 wiring loom fitted. Did not know if previous problems where resolved satisfactorily,

     

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited December 2016 #4

    We had read the previous posts. Audi are adamant that all wiring is there having had the second wiring loom added to the first one fitted. The caravan technician also spoke directly with Audi. On an Audi forum one person said that they had had to have a
    Q7 wiring loom fitted. Did not know if previous problems where resolved satisfactorily,

     

    Has your Audi dealer programmed the vehicle for towing in order to activate the towing electrics?

  • aprilian
    aprilian Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited December 2016 #5

    Yes they have. Audi have also by passed the ECU engine management system with a direct feed via the battery to the tow bar so that when the ignition is on the fridge should work and the leisure battery should charge. This is not happening.

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited December 2016 #6

    Surely if there is power to the vehicle socket then the caravan must be at fault, have you tried the caravan on another vehicle or tried your car with another van at the caravan dealers.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited December 2016 #7

    Have Audi tested the output etc from the appropriate plug pins, that would seem to be the easiest way to deterimine whether the car is at fault.

  • TimJim
    TimJim Forum Participant Posts: 162
    edited December 2016 #8

    Sadly very common on green vehicles that do not supply a constant charging voltage to the  battery from the alternator until needed. Therefore voltage is too low to operate the relay.

    Vulcans suggestion would confirm this...or not.

     

    Tj

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited December 2016 #9

    So much for "Vorsprung durch Technik"

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