Towbar wiring - help finding problem

oinkely

Hi Folks,

Just checking if anyone can give me any ideas where to start.

I recently replaced the light socket on my towbar as the one that was on it was bashed to bits. Initially i simply unscrewed the cables, and reconnected them to the same terminals on the new socket.

When checking it i wasn't getting any indicators working on either the caravan or on a second trailer light board. I checked all of the bulbs in question and they were all fine. Tried the trailer light board in my dads van and it worked fine.

So figured it was a problem with my connections. Took the new socket off, cut 6 inches off the cable and remade the connections. I tested it with a multimeter and am getting between 4 and 8 volts when the indicator is on. This is with the meter earthed through the earth pin, and when it is earthed directly to the chassis.

Is this just a case of find the other end of the cable where it is tapped into the indicator feed and remake the connection?

It's a 2005 renault trafic if that helps at all.

Heading to France on Saturday with the caravan and would like to have it sorted in the next day or two.

martinr5232

Pin 1 on the socket is l/h ind and the wire is yellow.
Pin 4 is the r/h and is green check your voltage at the pins and just trace it back from there shouldnt be a big deal if everything else is working.

oinkely

Thanks Martinr5232

Should the voltage at the pin be 12v, is the 5 to 8 volt i am getting an indication that the wiring is faulty?

martinr5232

oinkely wrote:

Should the voltage at the pin be 12v, is the 5 to 8 volt i am getting an indication that the wiring is faulty?

Should be a full 12v go back to where it connects into the wiring in the vehicle and check there its possible there is a trailer module fitted somewhere but it will be connected to the lights at the back of the bulb holders.

colm_mcm

Wouldn't this van have multiplex wiring? Probably a module fitted

oinkely

Thanks for the help folks,

Traced the cables back to where they were connected into the vehicle wiring. No module fitted so plain jane wiring I guess. Remade the connections with crimp connectors as the old press ones were no longer doing a good job. Re-did the earth cable too for good measure and all working great now.

martinr5232

oinkely wrote:

Traced the cables back to where they were connected into the vehicle wiring. No module fitted so plain jane wiring I guess. Remade the connections with crimp connectors as the old press ones were no longer doing a good job. Re-did the earth cable too for good measure and all working great now.

Those connections cause nothing but trouble you are better off stripping the insulation off and soldering the wires together i gave up useing those yokes years ago.