Instrument panel tow bar light

Grit Valve · Apr 16, 2012

After taking out part of the the above and checking bulb to find it working .
When pluging instrument panel plug back in all lights light up brifley including the trailer light . With a trailer or tow board connected all lights work including fog, indicators , brake, and tail lights .But my instrument trailer light will not function or register that anything is connected .Could any one point me in the right direction please as to what affects this light . Or any one with the same problem. I am also worried as not sure if it is will affect oncoming mot legislation . Many thanks Joseph

Datatek · Apr 16, 2012

I would guess that your trailer wiring is not using the P38 loom which has the connectors behind the right hand trim panel in the boot, you can find it through the little plastic access flap.
I don't think the trailer light on the dash will be an MOT failure as I have never seen that feature on another car. Wammers and one or two others will know for sure.

6704nathan · Apr 16, 2012

not an mot failure they do not test in anyway the lights for towbar wiring as long as you have the standard 12n / 12s sockets.
the new mot regs regarding testing towbar lights only applys to eu 13 pin plug not 7 pin.

Grit Valve · Apr 16, 2012

Hi datatek the trailer wiring Is all wired to thin wires in that section via a trailer relay circuit board . There are no connector plugs just been joined directly on to wires . That I assume are the p38 ones with out a plastic plug connector or its been removed.

wammers · Apr 16, 2012

Trailer lamp is not mentioned in MOT test as far as i can see. As long as flasher telltale and audable warning are working with indicators it should be ok. As Keith says the trailer auxilary plug must be used or at least the trailer plug wires must be connected to the wires to it, for the BECM to know that a trailer is connected. As all the trailer connections (bulb out warnings, trailer lamp)are run by the BECM through this. To check, connect your trailer board and take a bulb out. You should get a bulb fail warning on the dash. If you don't, it is odds on that the trailer plug has just been spliced into the tail lamp wires. And the auxilary socket wires have not been used.

Grit Valve · Apr 16, 2012

Thanks time to remove bulb in trailer and see what's happening . And to remove inner lining in boot to get a better trace on these thin wires don't think it was the rear light wiring I'll have another go later

Datatek · Apr 16, 2012

defender300td1 said:
Hi datatek the trailer wiring Is all wired to thin wires in that section via a trailer relay circuit board . There are no connector plugs just been joined directly on to wires . That I assume are the p38 ones with out a plastic plug connector or its been removed.

A trailer relay circuit board is not required and should not be used, the BECM caters for the trailer lights if the correct loom is used.

6704nathan · Apr 16, 2012

dont matter if audible warning is working or fitted, or if flasher tell tale is working not part of the mot test.
only part is security of fixings and mountings

wammers · Apr 16, 2012

6704nathan said:
dont matter if audible warning is working or fitted, or if flasher tell tale is working not part of the mot test.
only part is security of fixings and mountings

So the indicator audable warning and indicator tell tale lamp are not part of the MOT test. Have another think about that. Not part of the trailer tow bar portion no, but they have to work with indicators to pass the test.

Grit Valve · Apr 17, 2012

Well that is a great help now at least I can investigate at the weekend as it is raining heavy here for the next few days thanks all

Instrument panel tow bar light

Grit Valve

2000 4.6 Vouge

Datatek

Well-Known Member

6704nathan

New Member

Grit Valve

2000 4.6 Vouge

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Grit Valve

2000 4.6 Vouge

Datatek

Well-Known Member

6704nathan

New Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Grit Valve

2000 4.6 Vouge

Similar threads