Electrical problems with VW Golf V towbar

[syncro]

The problem is that the VW wiring is not compatible with Australian trailers.

In Europe they have a left and right tail light circuit. In Australia they just have a tail light circuit.

[homie100968]

a cure...

The problem is that the VW wiring is not compatible with Australian trailers.

In Europe they have a left and right tail light circuit. In Australia they just have a tail light circuit.

I have exactly the same problem as everyone else here...

Im an electrician and ill be ripping the whole car to bits if the dealership can't find a workable solution.
Ive been thinking about building a box with some high power transistors to switch the lights on and off .. which would isolate the trailer from the cars std wiring loom and "should" stop the idiot light telling me i got problems.
If this works it will mean the trailer lighting system wont cause the idiot light to iluminate even if the trailer has problems. But I dont have globes in mine anyhow.. All LED indicators etc... and all sealed so no water ingress to play havoc with earthing etc.
If I get this system up and running Ill let you know.. if not ill be buying a european loom to do it!

[LiFers]

In Europe they have a left and right tail light circuit. In Australia they just have a tail light circuit.

This would be to cater for americans where brake lights are also blinkers.

[homie100968]

more good news...

I have exactly the same problem as everyone else here...

Im an electrician and ill be ripping the whole car to bits if the dealership can't find a workable solution.
Ive been thinking about building a box with some high power transistors to switch the lights on and off .. which would isolate the trailer from the cars std wiring loom and "should" stop the idiot light telling me i got problems.
If this works it will mean the trailer lighting system wont cause the idiot light to iluminate even if the trailer has problems. But I dont have globes in mine anyhow.. All LED indicators etc... and all sealed so no water ingress to play havoc with earthing etc.
If I get this system up and running Ill let you know.. if not ill be buying a european loom to do it!

ok so here goes...06Nov07
I pulled the right rear indicator assembly free from the vehicle and removed the globe carrier and then plugged it in to the wiring D connector..
tested for dc voltage and nothing.... tested for ac voltage and hey presto.. 5v ac ( @ 100Hz ) .. the indicator and parker (the inside globe) are both single use.. the outer globe is dual use .. but only 1 fillament... so its pulsed 5V ac to work as a parker and then (10-12V ? its brighter so must be higher voltage) V ac for brake light duties... so .... im guessing a smart relay will have to be employed to be able to get around the dual voltage tail / brake light .. im figuring on buying one from england and trying it out .. see what it can do.. all the other globes arent a problem... just that 1 brake / tail combo...

[homie100968]

more of the same..

ok so here goes...06Nov07
I pulled the right rear indicator assembly free from the vehicle and removed the globe carrier and then plugged it in to the wiring D connector..
tested for dc voltage and nothing.... tested for ac voltage and hey presto.. 5v ac ( @ 100Hz ) .. the indicator and parker (the inside globe) are both single use.. the outer globe is dual use .. but only 1 fillament... so its pulsed 5V ac to work as a parker and then (10-12V ? its brighter so must be higher voltage) V ac for brake light duties... so .... im guessing a smart relay will have to be employed to be able to get around the dual voltage tail / brake light .. im figuring on buying one from england and trying it out .. see what it can do.. all the other globes arent a problem... just that 1 brake / tail combo...

Ok some more of the same..
Ive now found out the multimeter im using isnt reading the dc voltage because its pulsed !! hence the statement of having AC voltage..
Dc pulsed to the lights to change intensity of the globe.. hence being able to use a single fillament globe to get both park and stop on the one globe!!
my box of tricks is held up due to it costing more to ship than what the unit costs..!! So... I have been working on an alternative .. Im planing to try a voltage sensitive relay from Jaycar electronics to see if it can be employed to switch on for the brake lights.. Ill keep you posted.

[motootto]

I know these relate to A3s but some of the theory should be the same.
I noticed that they use the centre stop light for the brake lights as this is single use.
This one is about wiring for the towbar
http://oooo-a3.blogspot.com/2006/10/...ht-wiring.html
and this one is about designing and installing a towbar
http://oooo-a3.blogspot.com/2006/11/...ler-hitch.html

[BarneyBoy]

Dunno whether this applies to you, but also if you have parking sensors fitted, you have to tell the system that you have a trailer hooked up. This is normally done in the car's software, and stops the parking system from freaking out when you select reverse with the trailer attached.

If the dealer has fitted the towbar and not told the car about it, you could have some issues. It's also one of the reasons why the Mk5 bar is so expensive compared to regular bars (in addition, the multiplex wiring is a more complex beast to deal with). There are also (according to my dealer - maybe NOT Gospel ) issues with headlight levelling and towing that may occur, particularly if bi-xenons are fitted too.

Anyhow, maybe (like with a doctor) you should seek a second opinion. Could be that the guy at your dealership has never fitted a towbar before (it's been known to happen you know )

(Edit) BTW, you may be interested to know that a rear valence especially for towbars exists for all the various valences (stock, GT, GTI). It has a removable cover for the tongue to stick through. Saw it in the parts book while struggling with a VW parts guy.

[jose_288]

You can install a module to insolate the electrical system towbar. Exist universal modules to allow the check-control and multiplexed systems with PWM signal by one wire (brake/tail) or (fog/tail).
You can see FAQ's in http://[URL="http://www.zitronik.com"]http://www.zitronik.com[/URL]

[saabman]

Hi Jose_288 that link to zitronik is a no goer
Has anyone obtained an aftermarket converter for the trailer lights?