funky blinker outage electric issue P38

Symptoms of a broken bulb, which isn't broken: Relay is switching at double speed and display in cockpit reads something like "broken rear blinker right side" (or whatever that translates to, since messages are localized). Front and side blinkers at door are switching at normal speed. I've noticed that on occasions that exactly this blinker bulb is constantly on bright light if the car is parked and locked. Needed to start/stop the engine to switch bulb off before it drains the battery. Problem exists for a few weeks now and haven't noticed the constant turned on light recently.

FUNKY!

Is there a common problem with that?

Anybody has a wiring diagram or knows cable colors and relay location to troubleshoot and eventually bypass cable?

Thanks!
Dirk

BECM problem by the sound of it, MOSFET failing. You need to look at RAVE for wiring details.

you can get a copy of rave at the greenoval just google it

OK, problem isolated: The electric for the hitch has an own aftermarket control unit (black box) to control the lights of the trailer. That unit is blown because of water entering into the (other) left side's rear light compartment. I googled for AC UN-09 Flash-Control 12V 10R-02 1573.01 but no luck finding somebody selling this. It is a 14 connector unit. Any other vendor selling a similar 14 connector unit with the same connector?

dirkster said:

OK, problem isolated: The electric for the hitch has an own aftermarket control unit (black box) to control the lights of the trailer. That unit is blown because of water entering into the (other) left side's rear light compartment. I googled for AC UN-09 Flash-Control 12V 10R-02 1573.01 but no luck finding somebody selling this. It is a 14 connector unit. Any other vendor selling a similar 14 connector unit with the same connector?

Click to expand...

It's totaly unnecessary, the P38 is set up for trailer lights, the BECM recognises the extra load and lights a trailer sign on the dash for the indicators. Bin the control box and connect direct to the existing loom connections behind the trim in the boot on the drivers side for the main functions and passenger side trimfor the supplementry connections

Datatek said:

It's totaly unnecessary, the P38 is set up for trailer lights, the BECM recognises the extra load and lights a trailer sign on the dash for the indicators. Bin the control box and connect direct to the existing loom connections behind the trim in the boot on the drivers side for the main functions and passenger side trimfor the supplementry connections

Click to expand...

I'm not an expert on the P38, I wouldn't ask for help here. Thanks for your information, but I'm disagreeing to your point. The hitch is an aftermarket product, including the entire wiring. There's got to be a reason that this control unit was installed. E.g. wow can the BECM recognize a broken blinker bulb in the trailer? There will be no "extra" load once a blinker bulb in the trailer is broken. I assume that control box provides that information to the BECM.

For the sake of getting "TÜV" I guess I will bypass the blinker. I can try if the trailer lights will operate.

What is the color code of the cable for the blinker ?(no greenoval.com only provides sponsored links, no manual)

Thanks,
Dirk

Hitch may well be aftermarket, but Datatek is right ( as always ) P38 BECM was set at manufacture to accept direct wired hitch electrics, L/R knowing it WOULD be used to tow!
Your "control unit" was probably installed as a matter of course by someone who does not know P38's (at best) or equally probable, doesn't know vehicle elektrikery at all!

dirkster said:

I'm not an expert on the P38, I wouldn't ask for help here. Thanks for your information, but I'm disagreeing to your point. The hitch is an aftermarket product, including the entire wiring. There's got to be a reason that this control unit was installed. E.g. wow can the BECM recognize a broken blinker bulb in the trailer? There will be no "extra" load once a blinker bulb in the trailer is broken. I assume that control box provides that information to the BECM.

For the sake of getting "TÜV" I guess I will bypass the blinker. I can try if the trailer lights will operate.

What is the color code of the cable for the blinker ?(no greenoval.com only provides sponsored links, no manual)

Thanks,
Dirk

Click to expand...

Datatek said:

It's totaly unnecessary, the P38 is set up for trailer lights, the BECM recognises the extra load and lights a trailer sign on the dash for the indicators. Bin the control box and connect direct to the existing loom connections behind the trim in the boot on the drivers side for the main functions and passenger side trimfor the supplementry connections

Click to expand...

Hi Dirk
Datatek is right - I have an aftermarket hitch and wiring loom. The connections are direct into the RR loom behind the trim on both left and right side of the vehicle. Sounds like your installer didn't know the P38!:doh:

The 12N (Trailer lighting) black socket is jusy plug & play. The Becm "Senses" the additional 21Watt load with a trailer/caravan hitched and plugged in and illuminates a "Towbar" warning lamp on the instrument panel which flashes in unison with the indicator lamp. If an indicator bulb fails on the trailer, the "Towbar" light fails to flash.

As the Meercats say........ "Simples" !!!!!!!!!