Tow bar electrics issues

[Ninj43]

Hi folks

Just installed a towbar, van has trailer prep so I've used the dedicated 13 pin kit from PF Jones.

I've got perm 12v pin and earth's present at the towbar socket and thats it. With two different towbar electrics testers I'm getting some flickering on function LEDs on the tester (side lights turn L and R) so definitely something up.

The trailer module looks to be connected and VCDS is seeing it.
Everything looks connected under passenger seat, fuses are good and all van electrics are good in the back

Kind of running out of ideas and need it working in about 2 days.

CAn I continuity check from one of the multi igs under the seat to the 8 way and 12 way connectors in the back of the van?

 

[Ninj43]

Just double checked and the only pins connected on the van side of the 8 way plug are:
Perm 12v - Red on van side to Orange on PF Jones loom
3x earths

Nothing is connected on the van side of the 12 way - Thats checking for 12v on the van side of the plugs

I assume there must be something disconnected betwen seat base and rear pillar.

To McGiver something up, is there anything to stop me picking up turn L and R, side and brake lights from a tail lamp and running them via a bypass relay back into the towbar loom?

I dont need (or really want a switched 12v back there) and already have a perm live to power the bypass relay.

Thanks in advance

 

[manfrotto]

Have you tested it with an actual trailer connected?
If the trailer module does "see" a trailer connected it may not activate the lights.

 

[Ninj43]

I havent - I did suspect that may be the issue that it would need to see a load but can't leave it to chance as I'm renting a trailer later in the week.

I popped into Halfords to grab a trailer board but they only had 7 pin and wanted another 30 quid for a 13-7 pin adaptor.

I'd be more confortable if I can measure a healthy 12v on each of the pins

 

[Ninj43]

Oh and did run that past PF technical support but they were adamant it would be a duff connection, likely an earth on pins 1-8

 

[mmi]

Post in thread 'OEM tow bar module issue (some what urgent)'

5 Jun 2023

Not sure about T5.1 but T6 OEM trailer detection requires that in the trailer (minimum) two of the following circuits are present (having regular bulbs):
- Left parking light
- Right parking light
- Left indicator
- Right indicator

13 pin towing socket

I had a tow bar fitted at vw when I bought my t6 but it was fitted by an outside firm, I have now found that the pin no 10 (fridge ign live) is not working. Would it be ok to put a link wire from pin 9 perm live across to pin 10 , I know that if the fridge is switched on 12v and left on...

www.t6forum.com

• mmi

• 

 

[Ninj43]

Thanks gents.............potentially the biggest wild goose chase ever Should have trusted my gut and not the angry man on the phone

 

[Ninj43]

Just to wrap this one up, cheap trailer board from ECP and can confirm everything is working as it should.

Note for anyone doing it, it's exactly as @mmi and @manfrotto state above, with the exception of the perm 12v, nothing is live until the trailer module senses a trailer is connected.

Dont trust a trailer light tester, even an expensive MOT test centre one.

Also, trust tech support with caution, for someone who claimed to have fitted "a hundred of these to T6s" (although my ears should have pricked up more when he said "and not one of them had trailer prep") I would imagine they'd be well aware that a tester wouldnt work and he was wasting my time checking everything with a meter....... simply needs plugged into a trailer.