I run a BMW F31 (3 series touring) with Westfalia 13 pin dedicated electrics. The problem I have is the reversing lights on the caravan only work with the sidelights on. Does anyone else have this problem?
13pin electrics reversing lights
- Thread starter Minibeast
- Start date
Welcome to the Forum, I would think vechile specific wiring, my Santa Fe , the reversing light on the van come on when Reverse engaged. !!!. Without car lights on.
Sorry should have said they only come on with reverse engaged and the sidelights on. In reverse without the sidelights they don't work. I'm wondering if it's a continental quirk? Just like the need for a extra loom to run the fridge.
Sucking eggs, but have you checked the car without caravan attached, if the reversing lihgts come on withought car lights on. ? As you say continental quirk.
Minibeast said:
What caravan have you got the 13pin plug fitted to ?
Has the van lights got LED bulbs fitted ?
My suspicion here is that the wiring to the 13 pin is defective within the car. It sounds as though the side lights are wired into the reverse lights circuit. This will only be evident when reverse is engaged, and the trailer module see the car is in reverse.
Many BMWs have twin rear side lights as a safety measure, so one wire has probably been wired correctly so you see your vans side lights as ok; the other side light wire as above, probably mistaken by the fitter as the reverse wire.
Had a similar problem on my X5...
Many BMWs have twin rear side lights as a safety measure, so one wire has probably been wired correctly so you see your vans side lights as ok; the other side light wire as above, probably mistaken by the fitter as the reverse wire.
Had a similar problem on my X5...
The first thing to do is test the wiring socket with a tester , pretty cheap to buy. As most cars now are plug in connectors and whoever fitted the towbar would/should have tested the socket?
Just a quick roll back? Is this a new van to you if not did you have the problems before?
Just a quick roll back? Is this a new van to you if not did you have the problems before?
MichaelE said:
Unfortunately, a tester only tells you that power is reaching the pins- it can't tell you that the power is being supplied by the wrong wire. I have a tester and with that my van appeared to be fine. It was only when I noticed sidelights coming unexpectedly that I realised the car had been wired incorrectly.
A tester is indeed useful if everything was previously ok, but now isn't, helping to isolate an issue either to the car or the caravan
chrisn7 said:
Sorry i have to disagree, a tester would show what pins have power and the pin number etc so if as in this case the reversing is only working with side lights on then 3 pins would be lit?
My tester shows what pin and the symbol of what the pin represents.
If a car had been wired incorrectly then the wrong pin would light up so yes a tester would work!
An added bonus of a tester is that it simulates load as in modern electric they must sense that something is attached so no need to have the van around
Lets step back a bit. A tester is a diagnostic tool, just as those are used for cars. Any kit can point you to something being wrong, but not necessarily where the true fault lies. This is why you hear of people having components replaced in all sorts of things, not just cars and caravans, that don't resolve the issue, because the real fault lies upstream and hasn't been properly identified.
Here is what I found: many BMWs have 2 rear running lights, one of which is part of the traditional twin filament brakelight/sidelight.
So fitter wires up the single sidelight ok. Then wires the second sidelight to the vans brakes in error. Plug in tester and switch everything on all test lights lit up (brakes are powered from the duplicate sidelight circuit) Everything is ok? but it isn't. Fitter should have tested everything individually but evidently didn't. With the sidelights off, cars trailer module gets confused and van sidelights go on/off at odd times.
Tester gadget is fine but has to used correctly and to interpret results.
Here is what I found: many BMWs have 2 rear running lights, one of which is part of the traditional twin filament brakelight/sidelight.
So fitter wires up the single sidelight ok. Then wires the second sidelight to the vans brakes in error. Plug in tester and switch everything on all test lights lit up (brakes are powered from the duplicate sidelight circuit) Everything is ok? but it isn't. Fitter should have tested everything individually but evidently didn't. With the sidelights off, cars trailer module gets confused and van sidelights go on/off at odd times.
Tester gadget is fine but has to used correctly and to interpret results.
Always best to fit the dedicated wiring kit in the first place. All the connectors are there so no need to connect into the wrong lights etc.
MichaelE said:
The OP has a dedicated wiring kit fitted
Minibeast said:
We still don't know what van he has & if the 13pin plug on the van is a original fit from new or a retro fit
Sproket said:MichaelE said:
The OP has a dedicated wiring kit fitted
Yeah i know i was answering the previous post ref connecting the wrong wire, if you had read it?
Yes i had read it and i asked the OP yesterday
What caravan have you got the 13pin plug fitted to ?
Has the van lights got LED bulbs fitted ?
Minibeast said:
What caravan have you got the 13pin plug fitted to ?
Has the van lights got LED bulbs fitted ?
MichaelE said:
Oh how I agree with you on this one. I never understand why people reach for aftermarket equipment rather than the genuine articles from the manufactures which work and fit. Same with towing mirrors - sure they cost a bit more, but they fit and don't vibrate
Ok the answer is in.... One way or another everyone was right, the 13 pin plug was fitted from new and the tow bar electrics are a dedicated loom. So what went wrong?
Only two wires needed to be connected into the cars loom:
1. One to the stop light circuit
2. One to the ignition live..... and it was this one at fault
On installation the auto headlights activated unbeknown to the fitter who when he tested for the ignition live picked up the lighting circuit instead of the correct ignition live. Hence the reversing lights working with the lights on.
Only two wires needed to be connected into the cars loom:
1. One to the stop light circuit
2. One to the ignition live..... and it was this one at fault
On installation the auto headlights activated unbeknown to the fitter who when he tested for the ignition live picked up the lighting circuit instead of the correct ignition live. Hence the reversing lights working with the lights on.
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