Thread: D4 trailer / caravan lights

Originally Posted by ken wallace

... the reversing sensors still appear to operate...

Could you clarify this Ken? They either will sound a continuous beep when in reverse or they will not. There's no middle ground. Do you have front sensors fitted?
I can't see anything wrong with your setup. I, too, chose to keep the car wiring standard and have made up interconnects (well, Tombie gave me one) which I can use as necessary depending on whether the trailer has round or flat connectors.
Have you had the car from new? I'm wondering if your wiring has been compromised? Might be worth tracing the wiring back from the plugs to see if it is standard. The other thing that pops into my mind is earthing. But if you're seeing the trailer symbol I would assume that it is OK.

Thank you for your response
We bought it from friends that only drove it to church on Sundays ( it had never been off the blacktop )
Now begins the STORY. the car has both front and rear parking sensors and when I tested the setup a couple of days ago the rear sensors were still making a CONTINUOS noise when the car was reversed up to the van AND after being plugged in.
( I think it is the front sensors that pulse on and off ???? )
Today however I did it all again, and this time after checking the blinkers ( and the green trailer light coming on ) I put it into reverse and NO sound. BUT after disconnecting from the van still NO sound from the reversing buzzer.
And still no rear sensor noise when I drove the car back around the corner and reversed into the carport where it always beeeeeeps.
So is there a timing issue ? does the engine have to be running ? does it want a Lock/unlock before the sensors work again ????????????
I give up.
PS: I did notice that after disconnecting I got ONE Single flash of the green trailer light when applying the left and then the right blinkers ( then all appeared normal )

Originally Posted by ken wallace

Thank you for your response
We bought it from friends that only drove it to church on Sundays ( it had never been off the blacktop )
Now begins the STORY. the car has both front and rear parking sensors and when I tested the setup a couple of days ago the rear sensors were still making a CONTINUOS noise when the car was reversed up to the van AND after being plugged in.
( I think it is the front sensors that pulse on and off ???? )
Today however I did it all again, and this time after checking the blinkers ( and the green trailer light coming on ) I put it into reverse and NO sound. BUT after disconnecting from the van still NO sound from the reversing buzzer.
And still no rear sensor noise when I drove the car back around the corner and reversed into the carport where it always beeeeeeps.
So is there a timing issue ? does the engine have to be running ? does it want a Lock/unlock before the sensors work again ????????????
I give up.
PS: I did notice that after disconnecting I got ONE Single flash of the green trailer light when applying the left and then the right blinkers ( then all appeared normal )

How odd. Could be a faulty sensor or two. Firstly, make sure all sensors are clean. Secondly, I suspect that the inner sensors are picking up your tow bar. The solution to this is to stick a transparent stopper over the inner half of each inner sensor. Unless you have a faulty sensor, I reckon this may solve your problem. Look up Pro-tec self stick surface savers 19mm. Simply cut one in half. Perceived wisdom is that they'll last for about a year, but mine have been on over three years and are still fine. Have five covers left in the pack, so should be right for decades!

Just checking…. You did unplug it yourself? Eg. You opened the door, got out and then hopped back in and closed the doors properly?

Ken when an appropriate resistive load is added to the indicator circuits a green trailer icon appears on the dash when indicating but the disco only goes into trailer mode once any door is closed. At this stage the reverse sensors will be turned off. When you remove the resistive load (with the car running) the green trailer icon will disappear but the disco will still remain in trailer mode (with no reverse sensors) until powered off and back on again

Originally Posted by Tankmat

Ken when an appropriate resistive load is added to the indicator circuits a green trailer icon appears on the dash when indicating but the disco only goes into trailer mode once any door is closed. At this stage the reverse sensors will be turned off. When you remove the resistive load (with the car running) the green trailer icon will disappear but the disco will still remain in trailer mode (with no reverse sensors) until powered off and back on again

Thank you Tankmat I think you have answered all my questions and I like so many that post on this forum can now sleep easier at night.

PS: can you elaborate on what "Trailer Mode" actually is or does ( or is it documented somewhere ? )

Originally Posted by ken wallace

Thank you Tankmat I think you have answered all my questions and I like so many that post on this forum can now sleep easier at night.

PS: can you elaborate on what "Trailer Mode" actually is or does ( or is it documented somewhere ? )

Hi Ken,

You're welcome, glad I could help.

When the disco recognises that a trailer is attached it does several things:
1. Green Trailer icon is illuminated on the dash when indicating
2. Deactivates rear parking sensors so they don't constantly go off when reversing
3. Prevents auto raising of the disco when in low range and selecting any terrain response setting

These changes I have confirmed (my 2016) but from what I have read there appears to be additional adjustments to the cars safety features such as traction control, transmission and braking.

Trailer stability assist (TSA) is also present to prevent serious swaying, it is an automatic feature that appears to be an extension of the DSC. TSA doesn't require the trailer electrics to be connected.

cheers

Dean

Originally Posted by Tankmat

3. Prevents auto raising of the disco when in low range and selecting any terrain response setting

I'll have to check this. I've used my army workshop trailer off-road and I could have sworn I've had no issue with raising the vehicle height. I've also raised the height when checking the level of the Tvan. At least I thought I had. Or by "auto" do you mean the car doing it all by itself for some reason, like being grounded?
Must admit I haven't checked terrain response with a trailer as I rarely use it anyway, but I will next time!