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Trailer plug with no power

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:58 pm
by roryb
I have a 2009 GLX 3.2 with a towbar. There is no current on any of the pins in the towbar plug so no lights on the trailer work when it is connected. The agents tell me I must fit a new wiring harness kit at a cost of R3200. The small box with the printed circuit board which is in the harness looks fine.
All the car tail lights work all the time.
Can somebody help with a cheaper solution?

Re: Trailer plug with no power

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 7:57 pm
by RoelfleRoux
Is your ignition on when you test? The ignition must be on for the trailer lights to work

Re: Trailer plug with no power

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 8:23 am
by roryb
Yes. drove to Capetown and back with no lights on the trailer

Re: Trailer plug with no power

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 8:43 am
by RoelfleRoux
Oh dear.

Any idea what will happen if you tap power directly off the lights? Like we have been doing since the beginning of time.

When I saw that little circuit box in the boot, I assumed it is because the ECU won't like it if you tap power off the lights, but I don't really know.

So what is a new "wiring harness kit"? That little black box?

Re: Trailer plug with no power

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 10:46 am
by Bigwill
Roelf asked:
Any idea what will happen if you tap power directly off the lights? Like we have been doing since the beginning of time.
It will be fine. I have reactivated all my tail and stop lights which essentially doubles up the load on the tail and stop lights circuits. Extra load equals the load required for trailer lights. In addition I also drive relays from the same circuits that powers my caravan's rear lights. This has been like this for more than six years with no problems.

Re: Trailer plug with no power

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 11:16 am
by RoelfleRoux
Bigwill,

Agreed, that is what we have always been doing with our previous Pajeros, but the Gen4 Pajeros have this new circuit board that operates the trailer plug, so I'm just not sure what the difference is.