A new twist to trailer light issues. help needed

[harks11]

I have a 2008 TDI which is still going like a dream. Dealer tow bar fitted on purchase
Picked up a new trailer this week with LED lights. No surprise the lights played up. Interesting the car lights are fine and so are the brake lights on the trailer. So running / side lights dont work on the trailer. (car is fine at the same time). Same story with the indicators. They are working on the car but not on the trailer.
Returned home and got the ball mounted bike rack out. It has all incandescent lamps. No LEDs. Same story. Lights on the car are working. Indicators and running lights not.

Check all the fuses and can not find a fault there.

Is there a remote trailer control unit with a fuse I am missing or something else.

[TDIjeff]

Do you know if the car is fitted with a VW trailer loom with its own brain or a generic relay box ?
What format trailer plug, flat, round, 5 7 12 pin ?

[harks11]

No Jeff, not sure what loom was used. It was installed at purchase. Trailer plug is large round 7

[harks11]

Booked into the autoelec. so we will soon see

[Transporter]

Booked into the autoelec. so we will soon see

Make sure that they're familiar with the late model VW electrics, otherwise they could do more bad than good, despite they're autoelectricians.

[harks11]

Well all fixed with the add of a load box if I run LEDs. It seems that the trailer adapter was programmed for the US and they reprogrammed it the faults went away. Given the car is six years old I am somewhat puzzled that that could be the case. Wondering if some sort of spike scrambled it.
However, time will tell. The Auto Electrician has one of the best reputations in Brisbane specialising in Euro cars. They charge to match.

[V10Touareg]

It seems that the trailer adapter was programmed for the US and they reprogrammed it the faults went away.

Nope, that's dealer nonsense.

The intermediate LED 'black box' is the trick for LEDs; or an electric braking setup for towing - I have both.

I don't know why VW sales people don't ask this question when you order a vehicle.

Cheers,
Stu

[Umai Naa!!]

If only the brake lights are working, regardless of what lights are on the trailer, it means the trailer control module hasn't been coded to the car at all. Even once it's coded, you'll need the load box for LEDs.

Nonetheless, you've got it sorted which is great.

[V10Touareg]

If only the brake lights are working, regardless of what lights are on the trailer, it means the trailer control module hasn't been coded to the car at all.

That doesn't make sense, and is not true. What trailer control module? The LED connector? Nothing needs to be "coded", if the wiring is done correctly.

I acknowledge your 3,900+ posts, but this issue is an easy fix and should not be persisting.

Cheers,
Stu

[Umai Naa!!]

Is it a genuine VW wiring kit?

[V10Touareg]

Is it a genuine VW wiring kit?

The question has been asked and answered. Persisting with useless questions helps no one.

[Umai Naa!!]

Yeah sorry. I had no idea you were left in charge of the forum.

[Guest001]

Yeah sorry. I had no idea you were left in charge of the forum.

Yeah I thought Moderators names are in a different colour. Must have forgotten to do his.


Also to quote reply 3 from the OP he says he doesnt know what loom was installed only that the towbar was installed by a dealer.

Maybe the dealer farmed it out and it wasnt a full VW kit.

We are sure he will know though

[V10Touareg]

I'm not in charge.
The solution to this issue should be a sticky post.

[V10Touareg]

Yeah I thought Moderators names are in a different colour. Must have forgotten to do his.

Smart remarks don't help.
And amateur comments don't help either.