Towbar and wiring

[aslsw]

Two weeks ago, I completely rewired my trailer. I was getting warnings on both the old and new Octavias, but I knew the wiring had degraded to the point where brakes blinked with indicators! So, everything came out and new went in.

Everything worked perfectly when I did a stationery test in my driveway, so last weekend it was all set to go camping. My wife and I checked everything - brakes, lights, indicators - bt then the dreaded warning lights came on when I took off! They say "Check rear [left/right] tail light".

It's a 7-pin connector but running 5-core wires. The only wire I never connected was the reversing one - do you think that could be the cause of the problem? ie. the car expects the reversing wire to be connected at all times, even if reverse gear isn't selected.

[Umai Naa!!]

LED lights on the trailer?

[aslsw]

Yes, all new LEDs. The fact that all of the lights worked perfectly when I tested them with none of the side-effects I'd read about meant I assumed there was no problem.

Do you think this is it? If so, I'll have to track down a load resistor to put in.

It's more of a nuisance really - everything works as intended (much better than the old lights), it's just a nuisance to drive hundreds of kms with a warning light on.

[Umai Naa!!]

I would say that the LED lights are definetly the issue here.

The bulb monitoring is designed around the internal resistance of incandescent bulbs, not LEDs.

[joel0407]

If you have the standard VW/Skoda trailer wiring canbus unit. It has a seperate wire for left and right brake or tail lights. I did a write up on either here or the Briskoda forum. I can't even remeber myself now. You can't wire them together either as the system will detect feed back from one side to the other.

Happy Days

[joel0407]

Yep. Here Wiring for 13 pin Euro Plugs & sockets for trailers & caravans | UK-Trailer-Parts

Left and Right tail lights. I think I wired them together but used diodes to stop feed back from one to the other. If your not electrically savy, a Diode is like a one way valve, power can flow one way but not the other.

FYI I never used my reverse wire so everytime I reverse with the trailer connected I get the bulb out warning.

Happy Days.

[aslsw]

As I say, its more an annoyance than a real problem.

Thanks for the ideas, I might try to isolate to at least confirm which wiring is causing the problem. For example, I don't get any errors on the indicators (I used to get them on the crappy old trailer lights, so I know a warning exists for those).

I did join the tail light wires together from both sides (not the indicators) - could that be the problem? Sorry, I'm trying to follow along but I'm definitely not savvy with electronics. I was pretty chuffed that I could complete the job with the lights actually functioning!

[parisfrance]

I obtained a quote today from the only remaining authorised Skoda service department in metropolitan Perth and was quoted over $1400 for the towbar and electronic module plus five hours labour to install at $837 ($167/hr) + GST. Over $2200 for a towbar!

At that price, for the few times I will need to tow a trailer I will hire a vehicle with a towbar.

Mind you I was talking to a colleague who has a YETI and he had his vehicle in for a scheduled 60k service today which was costing him $550 (he doesn't have fixed price servicing). The same dealership telephoned to advise that the manufacturer recommends the automatic transmission should also be serviced at 60k for an additional cost of $770. The service agent advised that the automatic fluid was very expensive, hence the inflated cost.

This dealership doesn't even do a good job. They have had my 4.5 month old Octavia Wagon five times to try and fix the sunshade for the Panoramic Roof, which was broken from the day we collected it. They have had to completely remove the roof lining, replace the shade and have managed to tear the replacement roof lining in two places during the course of this work, only for the shade to rattle like an old wind chime on anything other than a billiard table smooth surface. And the two times I have forgotten to tell them not to wash the vehicle during the service it has come back with water streaks all over it.

It is due to go back to them for a week at the beginning of November for them to address the roof rattle. This will be their last chance or I will be taking it to the nearby Audi Centre; even if it isn't fixed under warranty by Audi and I have to pay for it.

I love the car but the after sales service is shocking. They don't even ring or text me to tell me the vehicle is ready for collection, I have had to call them each time.

[Snail Style]

I'll be in Perth in the new year operating as a mobile mechanic, and can sort all those issues easily.

[GTR27]

I obtained a quote today from the only remaining authorised Skoda service department in metropolitan Perth and was quoted over $1400 for the towbar and electronic module plus five hours labour to install at $837 ($167/hr) + GST. Over $2200 for a towbar!

At that price, for the few times I will need to tow a trailer I will hire a vehicle with a towbar.

Mind you I was talking to a colleague who has a YETI and he had his vehicle in for a scheduled 60k service today which was costing him $550 (he doesn't have fixed price servicing). The same dealership telephoned to advise that the manufacturer recommends the automatic transmission should also be serviced at 60k for an additional cost of $770. The service agent advised that the automatic fluid was very expensive, hence the inflated cost.

This dealership doesn't even do a good job. They have had my 4.5 month old Octavia Wagon five times to try and fix the sunshade for the Panoramic Roof, which was broken from the day we collected it. They have had to completely remove the roof lining, replace the shade and have managed to tear the replacement roof lining in two places during the course of this work, only for the shade to rattle like an old wind chime on anything other than a billiard table smooth surface. And the two times I have forgotten to tell them not to wash the vehicle during the service it has come back with water streaks all over it.

It is due to go back to them for a week at the beginning of November for them to address the roof rattle. This will be their last chance or I will be taking it to the nearby Audi Centre; even if it isn't fixed under warranty by Audi and I have to pay for it.

I love the car but the after sales service is shocking. They don't even ring or text me to tell me the vehicle is ready for collection, I have had to call them each time.

That's truely awful service. It's really the biggest bug bear with buying a Skoda, so few dealers = less competition = worse service.

Last Skoda I had serviced by a independent specialist here in Brisbane. Haven't had the current one serviced yet, but I'll give gold coast Skoda a go as they were good on the sales front. I will never go to Brisbane prestige (main Brisbane dealer) they are a bunch of arrogant muppets.