Towbar Electrics Mystery

[BongoBonkers]

Hi

We had a towbar fitted around 3 years ago. It has been OK but just recently the left indicator has stopped working (everything else is fine). I have eliminated the trailer (by trying it on another vehicle). I have checked the wiring as best I can and it looks OK. Had a poke about with a multi meter and not really getting anywhere. Before I have to send it to a garage I was wondering if anyone else had ever had a similiar experience and there was some easy miracle cure I am missing?

Thanks

Dave

[MrSniff]

We had a similar problem with our car's towbar electrics - same side indicator in fact!! I know you wrote that you'd checked the wiring, but if you haven't opened up the socket it's worth a look there; on ours there was so much corrosion on the connectors side it was a little surprising anything worked. A replacement socket was required and fortunately there was enough cable length to trim the wires back to clean...

Ian

[Simon Jones]

I've got a tester similar to this which is very helpful & avoids having to connect up a trailer to see what's happening. Mine was £5 from Halford's bargain bucket.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-PIN-TOWING- ... 4d0de33579

Definitely start by checking the socket as they are prone to corrosion or the screws working loose.

Most installations use ScotchLoks to tap into the original wiring & they are known to be problematic. Depending on how the wiring has been done, the ScotchLoks could be inside the bodywork, or outside but behind the light cluster. Removing the light cluster is easier than pulling the interior panels off, especially if you have a conversion.

[Northern Bongolow]

most peeps take all the trailer lighting from behind the drivers side rear lamp unit, but this means you have to run a separate wire across from the bongo nearside lamp to make the left trailer indicator work. look for an odd wire coming from the left bongo rear light cluster heading for the rear socket.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Left hand indicator = yellow wire if wired properly
Cheers
Helen

[BongoBonkers]

most peeps take all the trailer lighting from behind the drivers side rear lamp unit, but this means you have to run a separate wire across from the bongo nearside lamp to make the left trailer indicator work. look for an odd wire coming from the left bongo rear light cluster heading for the rear socket.

Hi

Now that makes sense. That is exactly how ours is wired in. so, am I right in thinking then that all the functions come from the right lamp unit with the exception of the left indicator? If so, this greatly reduces the search area for the fault. Thanks

[Northern Bongolow]

yes.
or the opposite way round .

the wire may be under the grey plastic trim that goes across the floor as you open the rear tailgate. 2 bolts and 2 screws.