Trailer warning light

NikTheGeek · 12th January 2009, 18:48

Just had a towbar fitted at Warrington Trailer Centre. Shouldn't the little caravan icon light up if it detects a bulb failure on the trailer? I took a bulb out to check it and it doesn't light up.

Does this mean they've done a non-standard install (to be polite) and should I be asking them to re-do it - or is that warning light an option in some way? Does it matter if they haven't wired it properly?

tnx

Nick

windrush · 12th January 2009, 18:54

When I had a bulb failure on my caravan it came up on the screen telling me so

actros · 12th January 2009, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikTheGeek

Just had a towbar fitted at Warrington Trailer Centre. Shouldn't the little caravan icon light up if it detects a bulb failure on the trailer? I took a bulb out to check it and it doesn't light up.

Does this mean they've done a non-standard install (to be polite) and should I be asking them to re-do it - or is that warning light an option in some way? Does it matter if they haven't wired it properly?

tnx

Nick

IT only comes on if the factory fitted one and got the MGR wiring harness.

moonstoneboy · 12th January 2009, 19:32

I fitted the MGR loom and the caravan symbol comes on when a bulb goes.

Normally, nothing shows and I am under the impression that there should be an indicator when the trailer is fitted.

Paul

NikTheGeek · 12th January 2009, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonstoneboy

I fitted the MGR loom and the caravan symbol comes on when a bulb goes.

Normally, nothing shows and I am under the impression that there should be an indicator when the trailer is fitted.

Paul

According to the book, it only lights if there is a bulb failure. I'm with you, I'd expect it to light to show that there was a positive connection to the trailer, and go out if there was a failure.

Anyway, the main point of the question: I read in the handbook that there is a "towing mode" on the automatic that it selects itself when it knows it is towing something. I just want to make sure that this isn't an electrical connection that they'd have missed out. Or does it just detect the extra weight somehow?

Need I worry in other words?

TIA, Nick

Dragrad · 12th January 2009, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonstoneboy

I am under the impression that there should be an indicator when the trailer is fitted.

Paul

There is an indicator, try indicating left or right. It should beep if there's a trailer in tow, at least mine does. No dash lights though..... :lol:

baxlin · 13th January 2009, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragrad

There is an indicator, try indicating left or right. It should beep if there's a trailer in tow, at least mine does. No dash lights though..... :lol:

On my aftermarket set-up, I used the optional connection to fit an indicator warning light, instead of the buzzer - what with PDCs back and front, satnav beeping at cameras, and Trafficmaster also having a beeper, not to mention SWMBO, I felt I'd enough beeping beepers!

I used a £1.99 generic dash light, but ideally I would have preferred the caravan symbol to light up, but I don't seem to have one on the lower warning light area (you can see them all if the sunlight catches them right). So would it be on the upper message centre?

BTW I believe it's a legal requirement to have a "confirmation" - either buzzer or light - that the trailer indicators are working.

Malcolm

justmicky · 13th January 2009, 11:12

Quote:
BTW I believe it's a legal requirement to have a "confirmation" - either buzzer or light - that the trailer indicators are working.

Malcolm[/quote]

Very interesting point, can someone confirm this? I have just fitted a towbar to my Rover 620 and as I got it from a scrapper it didnt come with a buzzer relay. I have since bought a buzzer but not yet fitted it.

actros · 13th January 2009, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by justmicky

Quote:
BTW I believe it's a legal requirement to have a "confirmation" - either buzzer or light - that the trailer indicators are working.

Malcolm

Very interesting point, can someone confirm this? I have just fitted a towbar to my Rover 620 and as I got it from a scrapper it didnt come with a buzzer relay. I have since bought a buzzer but not yet fitted it.[/QUOTE]It is a legal requirement to have some sort of warning device fitted.

scgfull · 13th January 2009, 19:53

I agree, some sort of indication is required to confirm that the direction indicators are working. This is normally either a light in the dash area or a sounder both of which wouldflash or sound in time with the indicators flashing.

However, I also understand that it is acceptable to have negative indications especially with bulb failure systems as in the R75s. This method is the one adopted by Rover in the OEM towkit. What this means is that the system will tell the driver if the system is NOT working by letting him know that a bulb has failed.

12th January 2009, 18:48	#1
NikTheGeek Gets stuck in 2002 Range Rover P38 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wigan Posts: 593 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Trailer warning light Just had a towbar fitted at Warrington Trailer Centre. Shouldn't the little caravan icon light up if it detects a bulb failure on the trailer? I took a bulb out to check it and it doesn't light up. Does this mean they've done a non-standard install (to be polite) and should I be asking them to re-do it - or is that warning light an option in some way? Does it matter if they haven't wired it properly? tnx Nick

12th January 2009, 18:54	#2
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	When I had a bulb failure on my caravan it came up on the screen telling me so __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

13th January 2009, 19:53	#10
scgfull Loves to post none Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: resigned - but can't get off Posts: 286 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I agree, some sort of indication is required to confirm that the direction indicators are working. This is normally either a light in the dash area or a sounder both of which wouldflash or sound in time with the indicators flashing. However, I also understand that it is acceptable to have negative indications especially with bulb failure systems as in the R75s. This method is the one adopted by Rover in the OEM towkit. What this means is that the system will tell the driver if the system is NOT working by letting him know that a bulb has failed. __________________ Steve Memeber 4069

12th January 2009, 19:32	#4
moonstoneboy Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Connoisseur SE CDT Tourer - naturally in Moonstone Green Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Surrey - near Gatwick Airport Posts: 1,316 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I fitted the MGR loom and the caravan symbol comes on when a bulb goes. Normally, nothing shows and I am under the impression that there should be an indicator when the trailer is fitted. Paul

13th January 2009, 11:12	#8
justmicky I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon 1.8 Club SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: north west Posts: 2,160 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Quote: BTW I believe it's a legal requirement to have a "confirmation" - either buzzer or light - that the trailer indicators are working. Malcolm[/quote] Very interesting point, can someone confirm this? I have just fitted a towbar to my Rover 620 and as I got it from a scrapper it didnt come with a buzzer relay. I have since bought a buzzer but not yet fitted it.