Lights flashing when trailer plug inserted

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rodsmyboy
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Lights flashing when trailer plug inserted

Post by rodsmyboy »

Hi guys and gals

Firstly.... Compliments of the Season to you all. Hope 2019 is a successful year
I have the 2018 Hilux and installed the steel rear bumper (with tail lights) from Safari Centre. Problem I have though is when I plug my trailer in and my headlights are on, the lights on the bumper and trailer flash but not the lights on the vehicle. All the lights work correctly i.e indicators, brakes, etc even when headlights are on, only they flash then, Any ideas? A wiring issue between bumper and vehicle?
I look forward to some ideas
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Re: Lights flashing when trailer plug inserted

Post by Gielie01 »

Does the trailer have LED lights by any chance? If it does and they are not setup to be in a CANBUS enabled vehicle, or there is no suitable towbar adapter installed, modern vehicles send ripple current to lights to test if they are working and notify you on the cluster, this can cause LED lights to flash constantly.
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Re: Lights flashing when trailer plug inserted

Post by Mud Dog »

Happened to speak to an autolec yesterday and asked about this. According to him it's a very common problem where people try installing a trailer plug on late model vehicles by just tying in to the tail light wiring like we've all done in the past. He also mentioned that it will interfere with the "canbus" and plays havoc with lights and in some cases other electricals as well. Said that there was no way around it and that a trailer plug adaptor / module (cannot remember the exact terminology he used) had to be installed.
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Re: Lights flashing when trailer plug inserted

Post by Family_Dog »

Basically the module comprises either a relay to operate the trailer lights, or a Thyristor, which operates like an electronic relay. In other words, no additional current load is placed on the existing wiring loom other than the drive for the relay or thyristor which is usually inconsequential. The 12v power for the additional lights must be drawn from a dedicated 12v supply.


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Re: Lights flashing when trailer plug inserted

Post by Thunder02 »

Hi, you need to install a wiring harness which plugs directly into the Hilux rear harness.
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