Trailer light issue on new GTI

[MSR]

Picked the new GTI up this week with genuine VW towbar fitted. Came with one of the fancy 13 pin Euro plugs and an adaptor cable to go to a flat 7 pin plug. The trailer I need to tow has a small 7 pin plug so bought an adaptor from Auto and everything works sweet until I turn the parking lights or headlights on. This makes the tail lights and indicators on the trailer have a spaz attack. As soon as I turn the lights off indicators and brake lights work fine again.

Any ideas???

[Peter Jones]

If it were me, I'd import a 13 pin plug for the trailer and re-wire it. That's going to be the cheapest and best fix and gets rid of all the adapters.

If you're not electrically adept you might need a hand from an auto sparky or a friend that knows how to use a multimeter.

It might be that the trailer isn't wired to a standard too, there's a few different ways to wire those up.

Perhaps converting the trailer to large 7 pin might address the issue.

[mikinoz]

Are they LED trailer lights, if so they may not provide the correct resistance and end up with this issue.

[njg02]

I had an issue with my golf where the earth came off and things went a bit skew wiff. After that no problems.
My van has never had an issue with many different trailers and lights, till now. I've just put LED's on my boat trailer and the extra dash indicator doesn't work, but the trailer lights do. Check your earth.

Neil

[MSR]

If it were me, I'd import a 13 pin plug for the trailer and re-wire it. That's going to be the cheapest and best fix and gets rid of all the adapters.

If you're not electrically adept you might need a hand from an auto sparky or a friend that knows how to use a multimeter.

It might be that the trailer isn't wired to a standard too, there's a few different ways to wire those up.

Perhaps converting the trailer to large 7 pin might address the issue.

Can't change the trailer cos it is a mates but if it was mine I would.

Are they LED trailer lights, if so they may not provide the correct resistance and end up with this issue.

Yes they are and after a fair bit of research last night I came to the same conclusion so headed down to VW ( With the best pissed off you didn't bother to mention this known issue look I could muster ) to get the adapter they sell for this very issue. Hopefully get the chance to try it tomorrow and will all be good. Fingers crossed.