Trailer/Indicator issue

[fastwestie]

I have a 2008 140 PS TdCi transit with factory fitted towbar and 13 pin socket and have a strange problem with my indicators.

When I plug a trailer (tried with 2) in and put the hazards or indicators on not only do the trailer indicators not work, but the van rear indicators stop as well.

I have tried cleaning the connector from the loom to the to the towing socket and the towing socket itself with contact cleaner and have checked all the fuses. Any ideas???

[ray1965]

on my 2004 transit, theres a little electrical box in one of the rear pillars that needs power to it, without power all sorts of funny things like that happen, all will be fine until you plug the trailer in, and all fine again when you unplug it

for example, if you have a fog light on the trailer, it is supposed extinguish the fog lights on the van, just lighting the trailer one, but without power to the box, with the trailer plugged in, neither the one on the trailer, or the ones on the van work, no matter what you do

check the fuses to it, or find it and check theres power to it or if its even plugged in

yours could be slightly differend as i think the mk7 is can bussed, but not 100% sure

[motorman116]

You should have a relay behind the O/S/R light unit, and there should be a fuse going to that relay, if its the same as mine, you will have a connector from the main wiring loom of the van, where the relay is connected, the fuse bay is in that section.

[v8dave]

Factory fitted Ford towbar wiring probably goes underneath the van to connectors at the front below the abs pump, trailer tow module is in the passenger step under the plastic trim. Fuses are in the normal fuse boxes.

[motorman116]

Factory fitted Ford towbar wiring probably goes underneath the van to connectors at the front below the abs pump, trailer tow module is in the passenger step under the plastic trim. Fuses are in the normal fuse boxes.

Unless its an after market unit (Plug in unit, that plug into the rear lights)

[v8dave]

Factory fitted Ford towbar wiring probably goes underneath the van to connectors at the front below the abs pump, trailer tow module is in the passenger step under the plastic trim. Fuses are in the normal fuse boxes.

Unless its an after market unit (Plug in unit, that plug into the rear lights)

That's why I said "Factory fitted" as did the OP.

[motorman116]

Factory fitted Ford towbar wiring probably goes underneath the van to connectors at the front below the abs pump, trailer tow module is in the passenger step under the plastic trim. Fuses are in the normal fuse boxes.

Unless its an after market unit (Plug in unit, that plug into the rear lights)

That's why I said "Factory fitted" as did the OP.

my mistake.... I didn't think that the 13 pin towbar came out in 2008

[v8dave]

my mistake.... I didn't think that the 13 pin towbar came out in 2008

The 13 pin connector was developed in the late 1980s.
The current standard for the connector is ISO 11446:2004
They had become increasingly popular since 2008.

The advantage over the old 12S/12N pair of connectors is that the 13 pin unit is designed to be waterproof so as to prevent problems with the connector corroding.

[motorman116]

my mistake.... I didn't think that the 13 pin towbar came out in 2008

The 13 pin connector was developed in the late 1980s.
The current standard for the connector is ISO 11446:2004
They had become increasingly popular since 2008.

The advantage over the old 12S/12N pair of connectors is that the 13 pin unit is designed to be waterproof so as to prevent problems with the connector corroding.

Well you learn something new every day

[fastwestie]

You should have a relay behind the O/S/R light unit, and there should be a fuse going to that relay, if its the same as mine, you will have a connector from the main wiring loom of the van, where the relay is connected, the fuse bay is in that section.

I read something about a fuse in one of the foot wells that feeds the trailer towing module. Could this be it?

[fastwestie]

Factory fitted Ford towbar wiring probably goes underneath the van to connectors at the front below the abs pump, trailer tow module is in the passenger step under the plastic trim. Fuses are in the normal fuse boxes.

Ok, will look there for the tow module. Is that where the fuse is too?

[v8dave]

Mk7 fuse box locations are in a thread of their own in the frequent questions section.

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=49206

[fastwestie]

Hmm, despite much searching still cant find the fuse

[fastwestie]

I found the trailer tow module. It is located to the rear of the passenger step under the plastic cover.
Changed the attached fuse and all works now