How to mute the reversing sensor

[Darron]

I've just bought my first LR, a 2014 Discovery 4. It's an absolute dream to drive, but there are a few annoying omissions when it comes to features that I missed when selecting it. Still, decent secondhand choice in my part of the world (Western Australia) seems to be quite limited so I'm happy with what I have.

Recently I had an auto electrician wire up the specific 12 pin plug connector to my new Jayco caravan. When I reverse my caravan though, the reversing sensor sounds a high pitch warning noise and I don't have a button to mute it. I've thought about removing a fuse, but wondered if anyone had other ideas of what else may work? I heard of someone getting a UK male connector to 'trick' the car into thinking a trailer/caravan is attached, but not sure if this is just a blank connector or I need to modify it.

All ideas/thoughts appreciated.

Thanks in advance, D.

[cjc_td5]

It doesn't solve your base issue (the car is not recognising that there is a trailer connected to make it disable the reverse sensors), but you can turn down the reverse sensor alarm with the radio volume knob.

[INter674]

I had the same issue which was fixed with a load resister on the led light circuit. The D4 now picks up the fact a trailer is fitted every time and disables the parking sensors. Bought it from Ripco..much cheaper on line..Narva brand. Don't have any issues with the trailers with filament lights.

D4 is supposed to be less problematic than D3 to led lights. Mine would sometimes ask if a trailer was connected..or sometimes not..so it beeped. Other times it would recognise it automatically. Clearly it related to the indicator light curcuit where the additional resistance is fitted.. .to one light only.

I understand that some newer vehicles are a nightmare to remedy requiring a module that costs hundreds.. so the D4 is not that bad in that regard.

[INter674]

....sorry just re read your post. I think your sparky may not have wired up the plug correctly. Did he/she re run the factory plug wires? I did so the system should work without the need to fool it provided the indicator light resistance is high enuf. Hence need to buy a load resister. Sparky should know this tho.

[scarry]

Correct,the vehicle has not detected that a trailer is attached.

Therefore trailer sway control is also not working,and your reversing sensors are not disabled.

You need to fit resisters to the two rear brake light circuits,left and right,via a switch,so the vehicle will know a trailer is on.

Then all will be good.

Do a search,heaps on here about this,many old threads on this topic.

Any auto elecy that has worked on D4 will know this.

[twr7cx]

Glad this has been raised. Was towing today in the wife's MY12 D4 and same annoying this of the reverse sensors going off when reversing. Also a trailer fitted with LED taillights. Will have to check out those other threads mentioned.

[John_D4]

My 2013 has a switch in the back that I flick to go into trailer mode. That disabled the rear sensors. Yours doesn’t have the same?

[Tombie]

My 2013 has a switch in the back that I flick to go into trailer mode. That disabled the rear sensors. Yours doesn’t have the same?

That means that you John, have a a hard wired Resistor pack in yours.

Previous owner has added it for the very purpose.

[BradC]

That means that you John, have a a hard wired Resistor pack in yours.

Previous owner has added it for the very purpose.

Has anyone done an analysis on exactly what the minimum required resistance is? I see loads of circuits with resistors providing some 20W of load. I wonder what the reliable minimum is?

[Darron]

....sorry just re read your post. I think your sparky may not have wired up the plug correctly. Did he/she re run the factory plug wires? I did so the system should work without the need to fool it provided the indicator light resistance is high enuf. Hence need to buy a load resister. Sparky should know this tho.

The sparky used new wiring from what I can tell...

[Darron]

It doesn't solve your base issue (the car is not recognising that there is a trailer connected to make it disable the reverse sensors), but you can turn down the reverse sensor alarm with the radio volume knob.

Thanks Chris. I read this on another forum post earlier but couldn't get it to work for me. I'll have another play tomorrow.

[Tombie]

Thanks Chris. I read this on another forum post earlier but couldn't get it to work for me. I'll have another play tomorrow.

You have the base spec stereo?

Volume won’t work.... they are just on!

Put the resistors on your trailer or make an intermediate box with them in and the problems will all disappear!

[INter674]

I just bought the lower value narva load resister from Ripco n wired it to the lh indicator on the float. My understanding is the car automatically tests the indicator circuits to detect a trailer connection?

But I also note that the float side lights come on automatially when its connected.

Anyhow it all works fine now☺

[CraigE]

Any specific instructions on doing this? As I found the same, hooked up the trailer and when reversing was a PIA. Have yet to check caravan, trailer has LEDs caravan does not.
2011 D4 TDV6.
Also is there any way of actually turning the reverse camera on without it being in reverse. Nice to be able to see your load some times. I did this with my Defender, but that was a completely separate system.
Another thing the 2011 has Phone Bluetooth but only for phone calls. Is there any upgrade to be able to play music via BT? I know later models have it.
Cheers
Craig

[INter674]

The Narva China unit has instructions to mount onto a surface that absorbs/ tolerates heat. They get a bit hot. I mounted mine on a metal surface next to the light unit..simply splicing it as per the instructions on the pac...in parallel.


Ps some led light units have in built resistance. .esp on campers where I believe makers anticipate led light issues and so fit them anyway.

[Tombie]

D3 version (note the additional relays)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200104/ae2e3475c7fcfebb0f53a4d0fd024dce.jpg

The D4 version fits a far smaller housing and is just the 2 resistors.

[INter674]

D3 version (note the additional relays)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200104/ae2e3475c7fcfebb0f53a4d0fd024dce.jpg

The D4 version fits a far smaller housing and is just the 2 resistors.

This is the sort of unit having to be fitted to many newer SUVs but as far as I know it is not needed for a D4. One load resister in the indicator (lh) circuit will do.

My future sil works on modding new utes etc and said some are a nightmare to get leds on canopies/trays to work properly.

[Tombie]

This is the sort of unit having to be fitted to many newer SUVs but as far as I know it is not needed for a D4. One load resister in the indicator (lh) circuit will do.

My future sil works on modding new utes etc and said some are a nightmare to get leds on canopies/trays to work properly.

1 resistor will do (in either circuit), however it isn’t a solid solution (like duct tape it’s a quick fix) - twin resistors to enable trailer monitor to function on both directional turns is a complete/neat/tidy solution.

THe box pictured was built for a fellow member and is for a D3. I build D4 units also (very easy) and have made one for my D4 that fits internal and is hard wired and switched.

I’ve done a few fit outs on new utes (fit mine spec gear) and agree it’s a case of knowing what is what. It’s not difficult though.

[kelvo]

I've just bought my first LR, a 2014 Discovery 4. It's an absolute dream to drive, but there are a few annoying omissions when it comes to features that I missed when selecting it. Still, decent secondhand choice in my part of the world (Western Australia) seems to be quite limited so I'm happy with what I have.

Recently I had an auto electrician wire up the specific 12 pin plug connector to my new Jayco caravan. When I reverse my caravan though, the reversing sensor sounds a high pitch warning noise and I don't have a button to mute it. I've thought about removing a fuse, but wondered if anyone had other ideas of what else may work? I heard of someone getting a UK male connector to 'trick' the car into thinking a trailer/caravan is attached, but not sure if this is just a blank connector or I need to modify it.

All ideas/thoughts appreciated.

Thanks in advance, D.
See post #5 here https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/272077-led-trailers.html#post2916698 This will mute the reverse sensors when you are towing a trailer with LED lights (With the switch ON). Leave the switch OFF at all other times.

Where in WA are you? I’m in Baldivis if you want to see how it works.

[101RRS]

I have the relay/ resistor version for my RRS (D3 equivalent) and works pretty well. The only minor issue is that the car is picking up the unit not the trailer so you still get the dash trailer indicator symbol coming up even if the trailer is not connected or the trailer indicator globes are blown.

Also if the trailer wiring is not in the car, mine was not, you need to buy the correct wiring loom as it is plug and play and every thing works as it should - have heard of auto elect jobs not working so well as far as the car not picking up the trailer and switching off parking sensors etc.

Garry

[Bigbjorn]

If you don't like the reverse alarm then why not just pull of a wire or does that do nasty things through the all -seeing computers and disable the car?

[John_D4]

That means that you John, have a a hard wired Resistor pack in yours.

Previous owner has added it for the very purpose.

Well there you go. The install is neat enough to make it look factory installed

[Tombie]

If you don't like the reverse alarm then why not just pull of a wire or does that do nasty things through the all -seeing computers and disable the car?

Perhaps they aren’t butchers [emoji41]

Perform the simple fix and make it all work - very simple.

[twr7cx]

I just bought the lower value narva load resister from Ripco n wired it to the lh indicator on the float.

My dislike of this solution is that it only solves the problem for that single trailer. We have two boat trailers, one horse float and a box trailer here, plug if I hire plant equipment it usually comes on it's own, mates boats, etc. I'd like a solution that's fitted to the vehicle so that I can tow any trailer without issue.



If you don't like the reverse alarm then why not just pull of a wire or does that do nasty things through the all -seeing computers and disable the car?

Because it's bloody handy thing to have all the rest of the time when your not towing a trailer! It would be a pain and not very efficient to pull a wire in and out each time reversing a trailer.

[INter674]

My dislike of this solution is that it only solves the problem for that single trailer. We have two boat trailers, one horse float and a box trailer here, plug if I hire plant equipment it usually comes on it's own, mates boats, etc. I'd like a solution that's fitted to the vehicle so that I can tow any trailer without issue.Fair enuf..knock yourself out with a nice gadget ☺

[StewG]

I had the same problem with my MY2013 D4 not recognising a trailer with LED lights. The fix I adopted is to fit a load resistor in each of the indicator circuits on the caravan (I generally only tow one trailer). This has the right effect and I also get the little trailer indications in the dashboard display when using the indicators (wow!). However, before I found the answer, the rear sensor could be shut up temporarily to give relief by pressing the "P" button on the dash when reversing. It has been mentioned above that the volume can be turned down, but only while that particular noise is operating. I found that out when being deafened by a bluetooth GPS and had to wait until it was actually yelling at me. [wink11]

[DiscoJeffster]

I had the same problem with my MY2013 D4 not recognising a trailer with LED lights. The fix I adopted is to fit a load resistor in each of the indicator circuits on the caravan (I generally only tow one trailer). This has the right effect and I also get the little trailer indications in the dashboard display when using the indicators (wow!). However, before I found the answer, the rear sensor could be shut up temporarily to give relief by pressing the "P" button on the dash when reversing. It has been mentioned above that the volume can be turned down, but only while that particular noise is operating. I found that out when being deafened by a bluetooth GPS and had to wait until it was actually yelling at me. [wink11]

Lower spec models don’t have the P button on the dash so cannot disable the sensors like that. I think if you have front sensors you got the P button.

[StewG]

Lower spec models don’t have the P button on the dash so cannot disable the sensors like that. I think if you have front sensors you got the P button.

You may be right. My D4 is an HSE with front and rear annoyers.

[BradC]

Lower spec models don’t have the P button on the dash so cannot disable the sensors like that. I think if you have front sensors you got the P button.

Yeah, our XS doesn't have the front sensors or the button.

[Gravy]

Has anyone used this socket to mute the sensors when a trailer is connected?

If so could you explain how the socket is wired into the LR.

Thx

[Tombie]

Has anyone used this socket to mute the sensors when a trailer is connected?

If so could you explain how the socket is wired into the LR.

Thx

Just fit a resistor arrangement either to trailer or switchable in vehicle or inline.

That sorts it.