Tow with a Jag - no can't - no electrics on van?

rogandlorraine
rogandlorraine Forum Participant Posts: 6
edited April 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

We've had a new 2016Jag xf, towbar fitted by dealer as no one out there has one yet. Problem is no electrics for running/brake lights etc on 5 vans tested so far. Only works properly on a LED trailer board. They say it won't work the vans cos the car's LED
liights are incompatable with the van lights, which need more power. We pick up new Lunar next week so Jaguar, Lunar are all looking for solutions, anyone out there similar problems or advice?

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #2

    Take it back and ask them to fix it. It's their problem.  Pay when the job is done properly. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #3

    Bailey had the opposite problem ,with leds on their vans not working ,as not drawing enough power for some tow vehicles to recognise a trailer,a box of tricks was fitted to fool tow vehicle

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #4

    How odd, my FL2 has rear LED lights and works no problem with my Lunars filament lighting, also Landrover and Jaguar share a lot of components.

    As said, it is usually a problem the other way around.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited April 2016 #5

    Have to agree with Eurotraveller. If it only works with LED lights it is not fit for purpose and you either get your money back for the fitting although that will not do you any good or they fix it. It might be possible to return the car as whole and get
    your money back but if you want to do this have a word with the legal helpline.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited April 2016 #6

    I have a new Merc with LED Lights all round and was concerned the factory fit towbar/electrics would be a problem with our new Lunar but have`nt had any problem with road lights, ATC , fridge etc. Merc do warn that LED Trailer Lights may not produce enough
    resistance for the system to detect bulb failure, as previous post Lunar have stuck to filament bulbs. I doubt if Lunar will be too interested in your problem the dealer is totally responsible with assistance from Jaguars Technical side. 

  • rogandlorraine
    rogandlorraine Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited April 2016 #7

    Hi all, thanks for comments, definitely seems to be an issue. Lunar have been brilliant and so have Robinsons, our dealers they've worked together to try to make sure we can change out van to all exterior LED's before we pick it up, however on checking it
    out the car still doesn't work on any caravan that is all LED so we're holding fire on that all we can do is see what Jag techncal come up with, although the dealership is exploring further with electrical specialists.

    We're going to hit auto electric specialists too,could be a long journey.Frown

  • andy butler
    andy butler Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited April 2016 #8

    no towbar for the new xj ! x351

  • TonyIshUK
    TonyIshUK Forum Participant Posts: 296
    100 Comments
    edited April 2016 #9

    I would have thought it would be simple problem to fix ...????

    The trailer lights are switched by a relay that require a minimal amount of current to make the switch to on.  The current flowing to the trailer light is taken through the relay, not through the car circuits as in the old days when a quick snap lock connector
    into the light and indicator circuits made the connections.

    rgds

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited April 2016 #10

    Yes surely there must be enough XFs out there towing full LED caravans.

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited April 2016 #11

    I have fitted my towbar and electrics to my last two Mercedes myself, after the dealer recomended fitter made such a hash of the first one.

    The latest one had LED tail/brake lights. Took me all of 30 minutes to Google the solution. The existing wiring kit had a built in relay. It just needed a live supply from a terminal on the Merc's rear PDU, then wiring slightly differently on the wiring
    kit terminals. It only needed the switching from one side.

    If I could work it out from Google, it is disappointing (if unsurprising) the technician couldn't sort it out.

  • Juramalt
    Juramalt Forum Participant Posts: 55
    edited April 2016 #12

    Surely relamping the van with LED's with similar low power consumption should fix it. A good auto electritian should be able to sort it. If it works with an LED light board then thats the way you want to go.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #13

    Surely relamping the van with LED's with similar low power consumption should fix it. A good auto electritian should be able to sort it. If it works with an LED light board then thats the way you want to go.

    led tail lights aren't generally the same light units as those fitted with tungsten bulbs ..... they're desighned from scratch as a led unit

  • rogandlorraine
    rogandlorraine Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited April 2016 #14

    No towbar for any new jag unless you go through the track or the dealership, which is why we did and yes altho there should be plenty of XF's around, its a new model this year and the config has changed so new wiring etc for everything! We've tried a 'all
    LED' van testing panel with loads of (PCB)connections that the electrician at our dealership thought might solve the problem, no use. Jag technical are working with us now, so are Lunar and Robinsons in Worksop, they're really helpful. Our main problem is
    the van is 2 hours away and we need it here to be able to try things as they think of them! Life's never easy lol! Only good news is we've heard of an XE owner out there with the same problem so we don't feel quite so frustrated, tho my hubbie might not agree!

  • rogandlorraine
    rogandlorraine Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited April 2016 #15

    p.s. upto 10 caravans of different ages and light configurations now tried its definitely not just an LED issue!

     

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