trailer indicator relay/warning lamp

[Strandy]

Hey there!

I've been having lighting troubles when towing trailers and upon investigation it appeared that a rather crap job had been made of wiring where the trailer lighting socket is linked into the car's loom. I new it wasn't done correctly becuase the warning light for the trailer's indicators never flashed... (that's the little caravan light on the dash). The wiring job had in fact just been completed using the cheap blue two-into-one cable joiners - they seem to last all of two seconds before failing.

Anyways... my question!

how would I go about correctly wiring the trailer lighting socket into the loom to include the towing relay and the dash warning light?

thanks all

Phil

[E_T_V]

Well from what I remember my trailer socket is wired into the rear lights as yours was and I don't think my car has the trailer light warning thingy. Our old HLS was wired in in the same way and the trailer light thingy worked automatically. If you buy a splice in kit they usually include a warning beeper incase your car doesn't have a warning light. For towing stuff I'd like to recommend towsure (www.towsure.co.uk) as they are helpful and cheap.

If wired in well those splice in kits seem to do the job well and I've not had any bother yet. The beeper can be a bit annoying though!

[tony]

do i remember seeing the wiring for the trailer in the haynes manual?

[e692wtt]

You need a 'towing' load-sensitive Indicator Relay, available from Towing Specialists and usually fitted to your car when they fit a towbar to it. Essentially it has an extra pin in the middle, and when the Relay senses more than the usual current draw (2*21w and 1*5w = 47watts or 4 amps approximately for the indicators on one side) it sends an output to the 'trailer indicator warning lamp' (caravan emblem on the dash) which then flashes with the normal indicator lights. The 'trailer indicator' bulb will flash briefly when the indicators are first turned on. When one is towing and uses the indicators, the indicator bulb on the trailer (or caravan) takes an extra 21w giving a total current draw of 68watts (or approx 6.7amps) which is enough to be sensed by the Towing Indicator Relay as above. The 'trailer indicator' bulb will flash (along with the usual indicator warning lights) when one uses the hazard lights as even more current is drawn.

Our cars are already pre-wired for this Towing Relay, it just needs fitting.

It is usual to splice the wires for the towbar electrics into the existing rear lights' supplies in the boot, often using these 'scotchlock' connectors. Such wiring will allow the Trailer Indicator Relay to work as above.

Does this make sense?

The other other Rich.;)

[Strandy]

perfect sence thank you!

The appropriate relay it is then...

However, I think I'll ditch the 'scotchlock' connectors in favour of proper soldered joints.

Cheers
Phil

[tony]

Originally posted by Strandy
perfect sence thank you!

The appropriate relay it is then...

However, I think I'll ditch the 'scotchlock' connectors in favour of proper soldered joints.

Cheers
Phil
scotchlock who on earth invented them ,no good for nothing:laugh: