Electric problems

Mistrom
Mistrom Forum Participant Posts: 20
edited July 2018 in Caravans #1

Hello all,

I am currently having a problem with my caravan electrics when towing.

When I hitch up ready to tow and turn on the unit to charge the leisure battery and run the fridge, my near side indicator remains permanently on. A message appears on my car dashboard indicating ‘ trailer signal bulb failure ‘ . The fridge is on and in battery mode and all else inside appears ok. 

However when I turn the power off inside the caravan and just run with the lights the indicator works normally.

I assuming there is a bad connection somewhere.

has anyone ever had a similar problem?

Could it be the fuse?

The bulb itself?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #2

    Is it a problem that has just shown up in an outfit that has previously been OK? 

    What model and age of car.caravan?

     

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #3

    What sort of connection do you have? We had a similar problem using a 13 to 2x7 pin adaptor which turned out to be something shorting in the adaptor itself.

  • Mistrom
    Mistrom Forum Participant Posts: 20
    edited July 2018 #4

    Thanks for the quick response,

    The caravan is a Sprite Finesse 2010

    13 Pin adapter.

    All has been ok previously

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2018 #5
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
    100 Comments
    edited July 2018 #6

    Similar problem in 2014. Found water in adapter had caused serious corrosion and poor earth. Became more costly when visit to nearest dealer to buy a new adapter lead to purchase of new caravan!

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #7

    Certainly likely. Water in car socket also

  • alfigone
    alfigone Forum Participant Posts: 48
    edited August 2018 #8

    Something else I'd check would be the how secure the pins in your 13pin plug are. The feeds you mention are on pins 1, 9 & 10. They are all close to each other.  

    I recently had an issue with my offside indicator & sidelights coming on together on the van, and eventually traced it to pin 5 being loose. When I inserted the plug, pin 5 was pushed back in the plug & shorted against pin 4, however when the plug was removed the pin was held by the socket & pulled back out so on a visual inspection all appeared OK.  It was only when I put meter across the pins looking for the short, that I found it, as pin 4 pushed back into the plug under pressure!

    New 13 pin plug resolved the issue. 

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2018 #9

    Never take the other half to a dealers for parts. while your sorting the problem there spending.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited August 2018 #10
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
    100 Comments
    edited August 2018 #11

    Your advice is sound and in fact OH stayed outside with dog while I bought new adapter but a very astute salesman invited OH and dog in.smile

    No regrets as got a great deal on new Coachman 4 years ago this week which at 4th service last week was damp free and without any major problem.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2018 #12

    If I had a caravan that was 4 years old with no damp I would have kept it as that's seems a novelty these days.

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,073 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2018 #13

    not if its a Coachman, I have one 8 years old and still sound, when not in use stick a Unibond Aero 360 in there, this will collect all the unwanted moisture, magic

Categories