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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346
United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Trailer Light Issue Help Needed Quickly!
Hey guys,

Bit of urgency with this one.

I have booked my trailer test for the end of the month and was doing my check around this evening to make sure that everything is in order.

Plugged in my neighbours trailer board and stood it on the spare wheel in front of me and checked all my lights.

All actions in the cab were repeated on the board in front of me, brake -brake lights, fog light- fog lights etc. Fantastic I thought Thumbs Up

However, when indicating the dash trailer light flashed once, then remained extinguished while all exterior indicators including those on the trailer board flashed. This should show that there is a fault with the trailer indicator bulbs, however they were working fine.

So, how can I get my trailer light on the dashboard to indicate when I have a trailer plugged in?

Does anybody have a fix for this?

I don't have any Led bulbs and nether did the trailer board.

Any suggestions welcome as test has been booked and paid for and if I have to cancel will cost a fortune Big Cry
Post #351635 14th Aug 2014 7:46pm
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muddybaldboy



Member Since: 09 Apr 2012
Location: Ruthin
Posts: 395
Wales 1999 Defender 110 Td5 HT Chawton White
13 or 7 pin plug? He who dies with the most toys...wins!
Post #351636 14th Aug 2014 7:50pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346
United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Sorry, standard 7pin plug Thumbs Up
Post #351637 14th Aug 2014 7:52pm
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CarlW



Member Since: 21 Sep 2010
Location: Lanarkshire
Posts: 53
Scotland 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Were the lights on the trailer board LED by any chance - particularly the flashers - if so possibly not enough load being taken to trigger the light on the dash

Carl MY11 110 XS Station Wagon in Stornoway
Post #351639 14th Aug 2014 8:00pm
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mrd1990



Member Since: 16 Aug 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 600
Wales 2000 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Epsom Green
Check the indicator bulbs on the board and on your vehicle. They should all be ~22w and not 10w as some trailer boards have, you could try your rear indicator bulbs in the board if you are not sure.

The trailer warning light will only flash if the current is above a certain amount.
Post #351641 14th Aug 2014 8:08pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346
United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
The Trailer Board was standard filament bulbs, it was however brand new so maybe not enough resistance but even so I would have thought it should have illuminated.

Is there any way of checking it because I don't want to turn up and it not work and have to go home Sad
Post #351645 14th Aug 2014 8:12pm
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Waldo



Member Since: 18 Jul 2010
Location: Bit South of Manchester
Posts: 240
United Kingdom 
I didn't think it was supposed to be lit at all times??

Mine flashed with indicators or hazards...
It was fine for the test, they didn't even check thinking about it (I only did the test last month) Defender 90 XS TD5 (03 Reg)
Post #351653 14th Aug 2014 9:21pm
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Spruce Pirate



Member Since: 08 Feb 2013
Location: Stirlingshire
Posts: 124
Scotland 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 HT Zambezi Silver
Can you try it with another trailer board? Should let you know if the problem's with the vehicle or the trailer board you used. Dirty Deeds - Done Dirt Cheap
Post #351655 14th Aug 2014 9:27pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346
United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Will see if I can get access to another trailer and give it a go on something a bit older.

I'm 99% convinced its because it was a brand new trailer board, but again it shouldn't make a difference.

Just to clarify.

No trailer attached, indicate >> Trailer light flashes once then extinguishes, indicator light flashes in time with indicators = all working fine

Trailer attached, Indicate >> Trailer light flashes once then extinguishes, indicator light flashes in time with indicators = indicates trailer indicator not working.

Trailer attached, Indicate >> Trailer light flashes in time with indicators, indicator light flashes in time with indicators = indicates trailer indicators working.

My problem is:

Trailer attached, Indicate >> Trailer light flashes once then extinguishes, indicator light flashes in time with indicators = indicates trailer indicator not working though trailer lights are working.
Post #351667 14th Aug 2014 9:58pm
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muddybaldboy



Member Since: 09 Apr 2012
Location: Ruthin
Posts: 395
Wales 1999 Defender 110 Td5 HT Chawton White
Defo sounds like current draw is too low. Check the bulb ratings.

Out of interest, anything different with the hazard lights on? He who dies with the most toys...wins!
Post #351681 14th Aug 2014 10:21pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346
United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
When hazard lights lit it uses the Trailer light as the hazard warning anyway so doesn't make any difference if trailer is attached or not.
Post #351685 14th Aug 2014 10:31pm
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Natlas



Member Since: 20 Mar 2013
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 460
United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green
Hi shaggy, I don't think you have a problem. My trailer light comes on once only with the first flash then its only the normal internal indicators that show. I think that's normal, at least it is on mine, all standard wiring and bulbs.
Cheers,
John. 2.2 90 XS
88" Series One
Old Norton Smile
Minerva
Post #351688 14th Aug 2014 10:37pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346
United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
John, that's what mine normally does and is correct operation for driving with no trailer attached.

However, when I plug in a trailer board I borrowed from my neighbour the same happens where it should show the trailer light as well as the indicator light to show trailer lights are functioning.
Post #351689 14th Aug 2014 10:44pm
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munch90



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: guildford
Posts: 3558
England 
should flash once with no board , should flash with board connected with every flash of board lights
Post #351691 14th Aug 2014 10:45pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6510
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Possibly a duff indicator relay not detecting the extra current draw?  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #351725 15th Aug 2014 9:44am
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