Cofirmation neede from those who tow

:behindsofa:


As you may be aware, I am in the process of fitting a towbar to my '02. TD4.
The wiring for the 12S socket is complete and checks out o.k.

I have identified the individual wires at the 12N connector in the rear loadspace ready for hooking up to the socket which is being delivered as part of the towbar kit (Still waiting !!).

Today I swapped the flasher relay (Located in the passenger area fusebox) with a heavy duty towing flasher relay, bought on Ebay from DLS (Brand new in box).
I have noticed however that the "Trailer" light on the dash is illuminated when the indicators are operated even though there is nothing connected to the 12N wiring pick up in the rear loadspace.

When I had my P38, which had a towbar and 12N/12S sockets, the trailer lamp on the dash would only come on when the caravan was hitched up and indicated that the caravan rear indicators were working. In the event of an indicator bulb failure on the caravan, the trailer lamp would not illuminate.
As opposed to the Freelander, the P38 did not require uprating the flasher relay.

I am suspecting that the new flasher relay is faulty, I just need confirmation that the "Trailer" symbol should not be lit when driving the car without a trailer/caravan etc. plugged into the 12N socket before I send it back as faulty.

Cheers Guys

I think your lucky for having the trailer/towing dash light mate. I don't have one lighting up at all!

I would think it's a fault, either the relay, or the 12N wiring.

mine activates once without trailer connected and never lights up again.

I got one of those relays from the same guy. My trailer light flashes as well even though nothing is attached.

here's one from the defender section with the same problem

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/trailer-dash-light-66802.html

My tow-bar and electrics were factory fitted and work according to the handbook.

With no trailer attached the trailer warning light should flash once.

With the trailer attached the trailer warning light and the normal light flash alternately.

I can't remember what happens if you put on the hazards when atrailer is attached. LOL.

Hope that helps.

S.

To add what I wrote above. The trailer light flickers when you turn any thing on. Either the relay is faulty or the tow plug is not right. I have not has the chance to tow anything yet so don't know if any trailer light will work when plugged in. But it seems a bit of coincidence that both relays from same seller makes the trailer light flash all the time.

mick 1986 said:

I think your lucky for having the trailer/towing dash light mate. I don't have one lighting up at all!

I would think it's a fault, either the relay, or the 12N wiring.

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The wiring to the trailer pickup connector on the wiring harness has been checked out and all functions are correct. I haven't connected the towing socket wiring yet.

Freelaner said:

mine activates once without trailer connected and never lights up again.

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Mine flashes in unison with the "Arrow" indicator lights on the dash.

freelandie71 said:

I got one of those relays from the same guy. My trailer light flashes as well even though nothing is attached.

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You have exactly the same thing as I have by the sound of it.

The relevant page (p.37) in the Owners Handbook basically says:-

"The trailer direction indicator lamp on dash, illuminates in conjunction with car indicators to show trailer lights are working. In the event of trailer bulb failure the lamp will flash once and then remain off.
When trailer is not fitted, the light will flash once when indicator switch is operated.
NOTE- The trailer lamp will also flash when the hazard warning lights are on...irregardless of whether the trailer is fitted or not "

I think I will give DLS a call tomorrow to double check if the relay could be faulty.

Thanks for the prompt replies Guys...appreciated.
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Irishrover said:

Mine flashes in unison with the "Arrow" indicator lights on the dash.

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mine does but only once then just works as normal.

i'd say it wasn't the flasher relay more likely an earthing problem, but you won't know for definate until you plug into a trailer light board to see if it works.

Dumb question,
I have the full towing set up from Land Rover I believe,
but I have never seen any of the above mentioned lights flash or show up.
Mind you I have never connected anything to them either..

should the trailer one flash without anything connected??

IndiTd4 said:

Dumb question,
I have the full towing set up from Land Rover I believe,
but I have never seen any of the above mentioned lights flash or show up.
Mind you I have never connected anything to them either..

should the trailer one flash without anything connected??

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:behindsofa:

See my reply above regarding what the Owners Handbook says.

I had my towbar fitted by Land Rover, when I bought the car new. My trailer light only flashes when either the caravan or trailer are connected to it, I don't get the one flash either that has been mentioned before.

I have sent a mail to DLS explaining the problem and requested a replacement/refund. I have the feeling that this is supplied by Britpart as it came in a blue box. I suppose that I will have to return the unit and wait a couple of days for them to sort out a refund/replacement.
Will update on the outcome.

both of our cars have the one flash 1998 1800 xie and a 2006 td4 hse if this helps, when i had my towbar fitted to my old td4, the man who fitted it never said anything about a heavy duty flasher unit, but he might not have thought about saying anything, but that gave the once flash as well.

teddywood1 said:

both of our cars have the one flash 1998 1800 xie and a 2006 td4 hse if this helps, when i had my towbar fitted to my old td4, the man who fitted it never said anything about a heavy duty flasher unit, but he might not have thought about saying anything, but that gave the once flash as well.

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:behindsofa:

The unit is listed as for Freelander 1, '98-06, Disco 1, 89-98 and all Rangie Classics.
The standard "Non towing" relay has 3 pins whereas the "Towing" relay has 4 pins. I presume the extra pin is the trigger for the towbar lamp activation. I have tried to get relay internal circuit info. off the web-no joy so far !!

Odd
I fitted the electrics to my classic and I didn't change a relay, but it all works as it should.

I had a '91 Classic& 91 Disco and I don't remember changing the relay. I have a recollection that I fitted a trailer bulb failure gizmo though which included a separate warning light that had to be hard wired. Could have fitted a buzzer as an option but thought the light would be better.

As previously stated...

The trailer light should flash once when operating the indicators if a trailer is not attached. It will flash along with both indicators if the hazard lights are being used or if a trailer is attached and plugged into the electrical socket and the trailer's indicators are working.

When I fitted my tow bar I followed the instructions in this thread: http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/towbar-fitting-instructions-51094.html and bought the Hella relay (HELLA 4DM003360-00) mentioned.

Mine came with it already fitted, but works as per the manual, i.e. flashes once on ignition on, then flashes with the indicators.

Irishrover said:

I have sent a mail to DLS explaining the problem and requested a replacement/refund. I have the feeling that this is supplied by Britpart as it came in a blue box. I suppose that I will have to return the unit and wait a couple of days for them to sort out a refund/replacement.
Will update on the outcome.

Click to expand...

The one I got from DLS is a Lucas part. My tow plug is not an original LR part but it is still a plug in one. No cutting of wires involved.