Flashing LED Trailer Lights

[heycharger]

Hi All,

I recently had some repairs done on my 6x4 trailer, and in my wisdom decided to fit some LED tail lights. Whilst they work fine when I tow it with my Valiant ute, once it's behind the D3, the indicators pulse continuously (ie. on a dull day, it looks like I have my hazard lights on).

The "expert" at the trailer place suggested that is was the electronics sending a signal to the trailer plug to determine if a trailer was connected. Given that LED's require only a tiny amount of current to light up, every pulse causes the lights to flash. Also, the trailer light on the dash no longer flashes as it used to when the original globe lights were fitted.

Has anyone else come across this, and if so, is there a simple solution (other than ditching the LED lights)?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Jamo]

You need a pulse shunt device.

try here www.labtronx.com.au (http://www.labtronx.com.au)
or email here led.module@gmail.com

[p38arover]

Common problem.

Lee Bourgeois has developed a fix for Land Rover.

See http://www.labtronx.com.au/

[heycharger]

Thanks gents.....pulse shunt it is (although binning the LED lights might be cheaper)!

Cheers,

Jeff

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thanks gents.....pulse shunt it is (although binning the LED lights might be cheaper)!
Cheers, Jeff
Jeff
If you want the trailer light on the dash to work you need more load on the trailer. The easiest way is to leave the LED's there and add a couple of repeater lamps with incandescent globes on the side, you may get away with only 10W. (Only for the flashers of course).

Diana

[heycharger]

Cool......some clearance lights on my 6x4. Let me play around with the wiring on the weekend. Who knows....it may even diminish the pulsing.

Cheers,

Jeff

[p38arover]

Did you read http://www.labtronx.com.au/page2.html ?

Ron

[Peter_OZ]

Hi All,

I recently had some repairs done on my 6x4 trailer, and in my wisdom decided to fit some LED tail lights. Whilst they work fine when I tow it with my Valiant ute, once it's behind the D3, the indicators pulse continuously (ie. on a dull day, it looks like I have my hazard lights on).

The "expert" at the trailer place suggested that is was the electronics sending a signal to the trailer plug to determine if a trailer was connected. Given that LED's require only a tiny amount of current to light up, every pulse causes the lights to flash. Also, the trailer light on the dash no longer flashes as it used to when the original globe lights were fitted.

Has anyone else come across this, and if so, is there a simple solution (other than ditching the LED lights)?

Thanks,

Jeff


you can get load resistors that sit in parallel, yes parallel. Check with repco or the like. That will cure the little dash light not flashing but wont cure the pulse problem.

Mine pulse as well

[roamer]

hi can you tell me if i will have the same problem with a new van that has bulb tail lihgts but led side lights

[sniegy]

Jeff, drop into MLR/ULR we normally have a few behind the counter for this problem. $295.00. We can show u one.
If u need to ring me, direct 9684 1021.
Cheers

[p38arover]

hi can you tell me if i will have the same problem with a new van that has bulb tail lihgts but led side lights

I assume the D3 electronics pulse the tail/side lights for monitoring purposes but what effect that will have, I have no idea.

However, I suspect it won't cause a problem.

I have never played with a D3. Lee Bourgeois from Labtronix will know (see link earlier in this thread).

[nzoliver]

Hi all,
This is why in NZ LR supply genuine only towbar gear and electrics. The trailer conection saga is only going to get more complicated as new EU legislation says things like '....when trailers are connected rear fog (and I think brakes soon) are not to come on the towing vehicle"....
Long gone are the days of 'piggybacking' the trailer lights onto ya tail lights!!:mad:

[sniegy]

Hi NZOliver,
The NZ market is identical to ours with regard to tow electrics.
The same loom is used, the only difference is the hitch/receiver. U will have a one piece unit & as by law we "Must" have a detachable tongue.
All the rest is identical.;)
The same wiring applies to NZ as it does to Aus as i have spoken to your NZ counterpart. He does courses here in Aust.:D:D:D

[timmymv]

I have a freelander 2 which seems to be having the same problems. Except on mine only one of the led bulbs is flashing and it is very faint.

Has anyone here used the PulseShunt and does it solve the problem of just one little led bulb lighting up or does it just fix the flashing.

Also have anyone tries fitting the resisters onto the wiring and does this fix all the problems.

I am reluctant to pay another $300 after paying over $1000 to have the tow bar fitted. Has anyone here managed to get Land Rover to rectify the problem it seem crazy to me that a new car does not work with LED technology given that LED lights seem to be replacing the old bulbs.

[TDV6]

I had this problem in 2005 and had a tuppaware container of electronics between my van and car that I used for the next two years then I got the Phase shunt fitted and have not had any problems since, though I still carry the tuppaware box as a spare in the van.

The pulse is caused by a 3 volt test current sent to the indicators to see if a filiment (bulb) is there. There is no pulse sent to the side lights.

Land Rover stated that they just build cars and are not responsable for what people try to attach to their products, which seems a bit shortsighted to me or maybe it was something to shut me up as the software fix was going to be too expensive

Ryall

[Tombie]

I had this problem in 2005 and had a tuppaware container of electronics between my van and car that I used for the next two years then I got the Phase shunt fitted and have not had any problems since, though I still carry the tuppaware box as a spare in the van.

The pulse is caused by a 3 volt test current sent to the indicators to see if a filiment (bulb) is there. There is no pulse sent to the side lights.

Land Rover stated that they just build cars and are not responsable for what people try to attach to their products, which seems a bit shortsighted to me or maybe it was something to shut me up as the software fix was going to be too expensive

Ryall

Its not a LR only thing..

New Merc, BMW etc have gone that way too....

Nothing shortsighted at all...

[AndrewM]

I have fitted a Pulse Shunt to my D3 TDV6 and it works a treat. It was a bit of a bugger to install as you need triple jointed wrists to get it down behind the rear fuse box and towbar storage area. It is expensive, but it is a complete ready made solution and once in works fine and solves the problem.

I installed the Pulse Shunt after replacing the rusting bulbs on my fold-up boat trailer with LEDs and found the LEDs, although now waterproof, blinked continuously. Now they behave like proper lights and the trailer dash light works too. I recommend it.

[p38arover]

Its not a LR only thing..

New Merc, BMW etc have gone that way too....

Nothing shortsighted at all...

I recommended my neighbour with an BMW X5 contact Lee as the neighbour had the same problem.

[snapperhead]

There is also a plug n play solution available here: Linear Electronic Design | Home (http://www.linearelectronicdesign.com/)

It is up to $100 cheaper than some I have seen.
I have just ordered one, will let you know how it goes...

SnapperHead :cool:

[osborneparkautospark]

There is also a plug n play solution available here: Linear Electronic Design | Home (http://www.linearelectronicdesign.com/)

It is up to $100 cheaper than some I have seen.
I have just ordered one, will let you know how it goes...

SnapperHead :cool:

SnapperHead, we have used this module as well and I can reassure you that it will work just fine :)

[ADMIRAL]

I had this problem in 2005 and had a tuppaware container of electronics between my van and car that I used for the next two years then I got the Phase shunt fitted and have not had any problems since, though I still carry the tuppaware box as a spare in the van.

The pulse is caused by a 3 volt test current sent to the indicators to see if a filiment (bulb) is there. There is no pulse sent to the side lights.

Land Rover stated that they just build cars and are not responsable for what people try to attach to their products, which seems a bit shortsighted to me or maybe it was something to shut me up as the software fix was going to be too expensive

Ryall

Do a 180. Talk to the trailer manufacturers. They are the ones not keeping up. We still have 1960's wiring looms being supplied on trailers. Some have changed the old globes for LED's, but there no other mods in sight.

[Sykoect]

Thanks this was very helpful. I ended up just buying the parts and wiring my trailer to work. Just if I ever get a new trailer now will have to do it all again or might one day buy the plug in adaptor so I can just tow any trailer.