Indicators not working as should with my new Swift

Bob and Marie
Bob and Marie Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited August 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi

I have a BMW X3 2009. I was informed that my hazard lights on the Swift van(2019) was pulsing whilst driving. On checking further i noted that my indicators were going really fast. I was informed by my caravan agent that i needed a VLM board fitted from Sergent of Beverley(they make the Command units and trackers for Swift Caravans). On fitting this i noted that with the ignition only on every thing works fine. However once i switch the engine on i get no indicators - those they are still flashing normally on the car. I am aware that my towbar is factory fitted and does not have a fridge/auxillary battery fitted in the loom. Does this make a difference. Any suggestions would be very useful as it appears to have everyone baffled.

Would a new UK loom fitted solve the problem or is it the caravan?

Bob Pattison

Comments

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited August 2019 #2

    There's a VLM A and B board depending on the age of your BMW A for early B for later beemers, I can't find any dates but maybe yours is A ?

  • Bob and Marie
    Bob and Marie Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited August 2019 #3

    Thanks for the reply. Sargent test 2 different boards- still same problem. They stated it was to do with no fridge/ auxiliary battery charge in the loom. This baffled me surely this would not stop indicators working ?

  • Bob and Marie
    Bob and Marie Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited August 2019 #4

    Just to update = had my tow bar tested by two independent fitters - as thought no issues with towbar apart from no fridge which we new!

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #5

    Can you if possible try it on another caravan?

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #6

    blimey, looks like you've asked this question on every forum out there.

  • Bob and Marie
    Bob and Marie Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited August 2019 #7

    Oh yes - that desperate to find a solution. Also different people use the sites hence cover all basis.

    I tried car on another new caravan at dealers without VLM board - responded same as original = pulsing hazard on all time. Indictors very fast  - though working. I have also tried car on friends caravan (2017) only difference was his lights are bulbs - not LSD - worked fine.  

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #8

    That sounds like the problem that raised its head when led lighting was first introduced, some cars did not recognise the low power of leds on caravans and "thought"it was a bulb failure  ,I thought that the caravan manufacturers had it "sorted", I think some sort of resister was fitted to "fool" the cars lighting supply

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #9

    perhaps thats the problem as LSD is a hallucinogenic and everything will flash after taking. winkwink(sorry)

  • Bob and Marie
    Bob and Marie Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited August 2019 #10

    LOL i noted the spelling after i posted - it was too late!

    Does anyone know my legal rights should Swift not solve the issues - i got the new van in February this year and been out twice?? 

  • Bob and Marie
    Bob and Marie Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited August 2019 #11

    Update:

    Sargents are going to try VLM 4 B3 which is an older board that they have used before on older BMW. Ill update when tried.

  • Bob and Marie
    Bob and Marie Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited September 2019 #12

    Hi all

    All working thanks to Sargents, they were very helpful and supportive - they eventually fitted an older version of the VLM - 4B3. All good to go.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2019 #13

    Glad you're sorted. You'd think car & caravan manufactures would talk to each other re led lighting.

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