T6.1 Factory Fitted hitch (towing) - Electricals

[Qwertinos]

Hello to the group,

I recently bough a VW Caravelle T6.1 2020 plate. The vehicle is factory fitted with a hitch. One issue that i noticed is that occasionally the system thinks that i'm towing, for example i get extra indicators when i switch lanes, cannot open the electric boot with the button or the remote. But for example with reversing camera the sensors work normally. Wondering if that's normal behaviour or whether there is an issue and the system should work only when there is something plugged to the electric socket at the back? Any points to start my research? I'll try the local garage, but they seem as lost as me.

thank you all in advance.

 

[Deaky]

Not sure what you mean by extra indicators, maybe flashing twice as fast? This is showing a fault, the van is expecting indicators on a trailer which isn’t there. If the van thinks a trailer is attached, you should see a trailer image on the head unit when you select reverse (provided it’s OEM)

My first point of call would be to check the towing socket and make sure it’s nice and dry inside, if it is I’d suspect a faulty trailer module.

 

[Qwertinos]

Thank you so much for the answer. Seems i have the same problem with Towbar Setting Sensor Off

I will have to take it to check why the towbar setting sensor doesnt go off

 

[manfrotto]

@Deaky, Regarding the extra indicators, with my van, I have a secondary (smaller) indicator symbol on the dash that flashes as well as the normal symbol when the trailer is attached, if that makes sense. I assume that is what Qwertinos is referring to, and therefore the trailer ecu thinking there is a trailer attached when it is not. I don't know how it determines that though, other than perhaps doing a test over the CAN Bus the same as testing for bulb out conditions.

 

[RobertO2023]

Possibly some contaminants in the towing socket. I had a malfunction with my factory fitted tow hitch When I was not towing , showing a spurious lane departure warning on the dash. Turned out to be dirt in the towing socket. Best to run the diagnostics for more clarity

 

[Qwertinos]

Yes, exactly. By the extra lights I ment the trailer lane indicators. I tried cleaning the socket although it has protective cover so I would thought that would suffice, but I’ll take it tomorrow to the local garage to run diagnostics. Thank you all for the advice

 

[Qwertinos]

An update to the post. I took the vehicle to a specialist to diagnose the fault, seems there was water leaked to the towing module unit causing the problem.

The part code is 5H0907383. New comes down to 300GBP without vat! Will see if i can get it sorted through warranty or order a used one through Ebay

 

[manfrotto]

An update to the post. I took the vehicle to a specialist to diagnose the fault, seems there was water leaked to the towing module unit causing the problem.

The part code is 5H0907383. New comes down to 300GBP without vat! Will see if i can get it sorted through warranty or order a used one through Ebay

It seems strange that water was leaking into towing modeule, as that is located under the drivers seat. I assume they meant water was getting into the actual towing connector at the back?

 

[Qwertinos]

Yes I was thinking the same think. The mechanic claimed that must have spilled water or something. To me the card didn't have clear signs of water, but I'm not a mechanic.

I added Service plan as the vehicle qualifies from time/miles perspective. I'll have to wait for 30 days for the warranty to kick in, but if i manage to get this fixed under warranty it pays for itself.

 

[Qwertinos]

Some images

 

[manfrotto]

You said the issue only happens occasionally. I would expect that it would happen permanently if the trailer ECU has a fault. Maybe a bad connection in the wiring between the ecu and the towbar? There are a couple of connectors behind the panelling at the D pillar left hand side. which feed the towbar and back lights.