No caravan indicator warning sound with on caravan
Comments
-
...... I shall be checking my 13 pin socket for constant live 12v on pin 9, removing fuse from caravan (indicator) to check car monitoring and if the fridge works on car 12v system. The ATC is very important, as I believe this could interfere with my car ABS system.....
It does seem that the suplementary side of the 13 pin is often missing from OE fitted towbar sockets unless the dealer has been specifically told to wire up for a fridge & battery charging. The OE loom I bought for my Omega (obviously not CANbus) came as a plug & play for the lighting, the other few wires were easily added.
Not sure why you think that the ATC will interfere with the ABS. The ATC monitors sway & yore of the caravan and applies the caravan brakes till it's happy that the caravan is behaving itself again. Your car's ABS looks after your car's brakes entirely independantly.
0 -
Hope this helps
EC R-48 Lighting & Lighting Devices 1981”
"6.5.8
Tell-tale Operating tell-tale mandatory for front and rear direction indicator lamps. It may be visual or auditory or both. If it is visual it shall be a flashing light which, at least
in the event of the malfunction of any of the front or rear direction indicator lamps, is either extinguished, or remains alight without flashing, or shows a marked change of frequency (double speed flash). If it is entirely auditory it shall
be clearly audible and shall show a marked change of frequency, at least in the event of the malfunction of any one of the direction indicator lamps.
If a motor vehicle is equipped to draw a trailer, it must be fitted with a special visual operational tell-tale for the direction indicator lamps on the trailer unless the tell-tale of the drawing vehicle allows the failure of any one of the direction indicator
lamps on the vehicle combination thus formed to be detected.”0 -
...... I shall be checking my 13 pin socket for constant live 12v on pin 9, removing fuse from caravan (indicator) to check car monitoring and if the fridge works on car 12v system. The ATC is very important, as I believe this could interfere
with my car ABS system.....It does seem that the suplementary side of the 13 pin is often missing from OE fitted towbar sockets unless the dealer has been specifically told to wire up for a fridge & battery charging. The OE loom I bought for my Omega (obviously not CANbus) came as
a plug & play for the lighting, the other few wires were easily added.Not sure why you think that the ATC will interfere with the ABS. The ATC monitors sway & yore of the caravan and applies the caravan brakes till it's happy that the caravan is behaving itself again. Your car's ABS looks after your car's brakes entirely independantly.
Write your comments here...I was informed by the Swift service engineer.
0 -
.......I was informed by the Swift service engineer.
So far then, there's 2 of us against 1 Swift service techy
There's obviously an Urban Myth about interaction between car and caravan stability systems which I can't believe and if the "Tech" believes this, what is the recommended "solution" and why haven't Al-Ko or any car or caravan manufacturer mentioned it?
(as far as I have ever seen)Where is Lutz when you need him?
0 -
@Awningman .... do your indicators work? AFAIK the Sargent box of electrickery is intended for use on cars where the led trailer indicators don't draw enough current for the car to see them resulting in them not working at all.
Not correct. Or at least not correct for the early Bailey Unicorn3s that were fitted with LEDs and ended up having an equivalent box of tricks fitted.
Yes, the box will (should) ensure that cars which won't operate the LEDs outright will do so. However, it also ensures that those cars which
will operate the LEDs but fail to give an indication on the dashboard operate correctly too. For example, my 2011 LR Discovery worked the indicators but (versus conventional bulbs) I lost the little trailer symbol on the dash saying all was well &
the indicators were working. The box of tricks re-enabled that.You can argue that it's not strictly necessary (acually it is, because absent that you don't know if a bulb has failed, however unlikely that may be), but I find it a very useful reassurance that the van lights are working correctly.
0 -
As others are saying it seems that your concern is based on what you would like to be provided,a beeper,rather than what is legally required but if that makes you uncomfortable then it is an issue for you. Maybe you can get an audible device fitted?
In regard to the other electrical issues on VAG cars this is due to the fact that we in the UK use vans that are not like those of our continental cousins.
We use a leisure battery which is charged by either the onboard charger or from the car via pin 10. Continental vans,in the main,do not have a battery onboard with the 12v supply in the van coming direct from a damped transformer powered fom the mains supply. This means that these vans need to be connected to the mains for the 12v supply to be available but also this means they dont need a supply to charge a battery and it is the norm for pin 10 to be missing.
This means, for my Audi Q5, that it was not just a case of connecting the wires as the pin is not there. I thought that when I specified that the car would be used for towing this would be addressed but was told that they make adjustments to cooling fans etc but not the towing electrics. I was lucky as a fellow member made me aware before I ordered the car and Audi UK agreed to cover the cost of the 'supplementary wiring kit' but even then I had issues as my dealers 'Master Technician' decided he knew best and did not fit it! This was remiedid and I was suitably compensated but with any VAG assume that the towbar wiring will operate the road lights only.
Oh,and that wont include a BEEP!
0 -
..... For example, my 2011 LR Discovery worked the indicators but (versus conventional bulbs) I lost the little trailer symbol on the dash saying all was well & the indicators were working. The box of tricks
re-enabled that.You can argue that it's not strictly necessary (acually it is, because absent that you don't know if a bulb has failed, however unlikely that may be), but I find it a very useful reassurance that the van lights are working correctly.
We're getting back to a telltale flashing in tandem with the trailer indicators, which isn't specifically required. As long as the car will tell you by rapidly flashing the others when a bulb has failed, then the telltale isn't required.
And we're talking leds that are very unlikely to fail anyway.
0 -
The test results are in.......
Pin 9 has constant 12v supply
ATC not on my Challenger 480 2016
Caravan Indicators- connected van to car and removed 5amp indicator fuse from van fuse board. No audio or visual indication within car.
I am still waiting for both Swift and Sargent to reply to my mail before I take it up with my dealer as to why they did not inform me about a possible issue prior to purchase and during the handover demonstration when they were fully aware of it. Also, what
are they going to do to rectify a caravan sold to me with an illegal non indicator warning device and the fact that they put me in a dangerous situation both on day of collection and having to return the van on a Swift recall to inspect the solar panel wiring.0 -
.....
Caravan Indicators- connected van to car and removed 5amp indicator fuse from van fuse board. No audio or visual indication within car.
I ....
What happended to the indicators on the car? Did they flash at the normal rate or faster? I'm not sure pulling the fuse simulates a failed 'bulb'
Buzzers or extra lights operate in tandem with the indicator ie when you hear/see them, the indicator is indicating, if you don't .... then it's not.The indicator warning is due to the car, not caravan. & IMHO you're being a little melodramatic by trying to imply that you'd be in danger by towing your van back to the dealer
0 -
..... For example, my 2011 LR Discovery worked the indicators but (versus conventional bulbs) I lost the little trailer symbol on the dash saying all was well & the indicators were working. The box of tricks
re-enabled that.You can argue that it's not strictly necessary (acually it is, because absent that you don't know if a bulb has failed, however unlikely that may be), but I find it a very useful reassurance that the van lights are working correctly.
We're getting back to a telltale flashing in tandem with the trailer indicators, which isn't specifically required. As long as the car will tell you by rapidly flashing the others when a bulb has failed, then the telltale isn't required.
And we're talking leds that are very unlikely to fail anyway.
Write your comments here...Just a reminder, my car is a Seat Leon FR+ 2litre 62 reg. Has loads of computer info and warnings but failed to give me a fast indicator flashing mode when caravan indicator fuse was removed.
0 -
....Just a reminder, my car is a Seat Leon FR+ 2litre 62 reg. Has loads of computer info and warnings but failed to give me a fast indicator flashing mode when caravan indicator fuse was removed.
I've never set foot in a Leon nor ever likely to so no idea what it specifically has inthe way of warning lights ..... I've quote what cars are expected to do. As per the other post, I'm not sure that pulling the fuse simulates the failed bulb
0 -
....Just a reminder, my car is a Seat Leon FR+ 2litre 62 reg. Has loads of computer info and warnings but failed to give me a fast indicator flashing mode when caravan indicator fuse was removed.
I've never set foot in a Leon nor ever likely to so no idea what it specifically has inthe way of warning lights ..... I've quote what cars are expected to do. As per the other post, I'm not sure that pulling the fuse simulates the failed bulb
You're not quite quoting what they're expected to do though: there are 3 principal means of complying with the law;
1) indicators work normally when trailer bulbs working correctly, rapid flash when a bulb blown.
2) tell-tale visual indicator on dash that flashes in normal operation, isn't there when there's an error case (eg bulb blown),
3) as 2 but audible beep (seldom used now)
Your posts come from an assumption of (1). Mine, for example, is (2). If LED trailer indicators mean the tell-tale isn't present, the car doesn't know the caravan is there so can't behave differently if a LED bulb unit fails. Hence the Sargent box. I won't comment on whether it's reasonable for that to be foc, but the line I took with my Bailey dealer was the order form had my towcar on so I expected it to work with it. If others took the same stance, it would explain why Bailey reverted to conventional bulbs.
0 -
Awningman doesn't know what he's expecting eg I've pulled the fuse & I still don't get a buzzer or telltale' He came thumping on the desk saying where's my legally required buzzer ..... no requirement, legally or not. I'm been put on the road in a dangerous
condition ...... why? Cos there's no buzzer/telltale. He clearly doesn't know what's required so he should be taking the outfit to a reputable towbar installer & asking them ...... VAG & Swift will both tell him that their bits are OK0 -
.....
Caravan Indicators- connected van to car and removed 5amp indicator fuse from van fuse board. No audio or visual indication within car.
I ....
What happended to the indicators on the car? Did they flash at the normal rate or faster? I'm not sure pulling the fuse simulates a failed 'bulb'
Buzzers or extra lights operate in tandem with the indicator ie when you hear/see them, the indicator is indicating, if you don't .... then it's not.The indicator warning is due to the car, not caravan. & IMHO you're being a little melodramatic by trying to imply that you'd be in danger by towing your van back to the dealer
Write your comments here...You are entitled to think or say what you like of me, but I am not the driver who takes to the road with small/ heavy or large trailers, which I have in my lifetime, with the attitude that it will never happen to me.
The law states that a warning device for indicator failure must be evident and I hope my 51 years of blame free driving through care and attention to detail prior to travel, continues for a few more years. The dealer was aware of the LED issue and the vehicle I was towing the Swift with, so why shouldn't I be annoyed when someone else puts me and others in danger.
With regards to my car indicators, they operated normally throughout.
0 -
I do intend to carry out a check when weather improves both by pulling fuse and taking out bulb (we don't have LEDs) to check that I get an indication (sorry for pun!) of faulty bukb (S-Max) I would ask if anyone can confirm or otherwise what happens in
the case of fuse removal on LED system otherwise how can anyone be certain how to test such a system?0 -
..... when someone else puts me and others in danger....
Being melodramatic again ......
Write your comments here...Time to let MollysMummy take over this thread of mine as he seems to want to take control with comments which doesn't help anyone, but obviously, is getting some enjoyment from critisism.
Over and out....all yours to continue how you wish
0 -
There's no buzzers on mine, just a nice graphic of a trailer built into the main instrument binacle.
TBH, as well as missing the tell-tale, the other reason for getting the box fitted for me was that until I did, my car didn't know the caravan was there - and because of that it didn't for example disable the reversing sensors when the caravan was connected & re-enable them afterwards. There's a manual over-ride, but I'm lazy and in any case I wanted my car to behave like it did with a conventionally-equipped trailer on the back.
0 -
Do we have a resident traffic officer who can tell us what the law states. To be honest i am not happy with this car indicator light flashing more rapid thing, as my freelander has a dedicated light to say the trailer light is or is not working. If not required
why do land rover fit them.0 -
I'm a bit confused by all of this. I drive a 2015 VW Touareg and tow a new Bailey with LED lights. The tow bar and electrics were retro-fitted by the main dealer. Everything works - fridge, battery charger, disabling of parking sensors and the diagram
of a caravan comes up on the infotainment system when I select reverse. I do know that when towing a borrowed trailer (admitedly with normal bulbs), I got a double rate flash and a warning message on the dashboard telling me there was a fault with the nearside
side light (or something similar). I did stress to the car dealer that I wanted everything to work and although I did end up paying a small fortune for that work, that seems to be exactly what I got. My previous (2010) Touareg was exactly the same.0 -
before my land rovers tow bar fitters always put an audible alarm for the trailer indicators why did they do that if it was not required and i never asked for one
Because it was easier for them than to fit an extra light or wire up the OE telltale on the dash where fitted.
0 -
what i want to know is why did they always fit something that was not required
For example. I had a Vauxhall that I had a towbar fitted to at my house..... I was in bed at the time (I worked nights) & left it to SWMBO. It had the provision for a tell tale on the dash, but to use it, the dash had to come out, a different relay fitting & and lamp adding. The 'proffesional' fitter fitted a poxy buzzer in the boot to comply with the law. When I phoned him to ask why he'd not used the dash tell tale, his reply was that he was saving me a bit of money. It was just easier for him.
A modern car with CANbus etc generally doesn't need extra lights & buzzers to comply cos the car recognises the trailer & is able to flash the remaining lights faster to tell you of a failed lamp. Interestingly, when solo, my Merc flashes the indicator tell tale rapidly but flashes the rmaining indicators at the normal rate when one has failed ...... that's due to modern electrickery.
0
