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-   -   Turn signals blink quickly with trailer attached (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/74987-turn-signals-blink-quickly-trailer-attached.html)

nom3rcy 08-13-2010 02:03 PM

Turn signals blink quickly with trailer attached
 
Just bought a brand new featherlite 3110, lights worked great then I drove around the block and the signals were blinking as if a bulb was out.

Any ideas? It does this with my boat trailer and snowmobile trailer as well.

The install was done by the dealer too :/

LeMansX5 08-13-2010 02:20 PM

I beleive this is normal. There are some threads on this. Search on hitch, trailer and turn signals

JCL 08-13-2010 03:52 PM

Three potential causes.

First is a bad bulb, but that is unlikely if it happens on three trailers.

Second is a bad ground to the trailer. I fixed a fast blinking trailer bulb with an additional ground connection, as the hitch ball was not sufficient to provide a decent ground. The fast blinking came and went, but an additional jumper wire with an alligator clip fixed it.

Third is a known problem with LED lights. There are a number of posts about this, and there was eventually an update from BMW to address it. Not sure how successful it was, but there are a string of threads about it, and the SIB may be posted here as well when you search.

mgbmwx5 08-13-2010 05:25 PM

This an LED lights issue, you need to wire up two 8 ohm resisters, one on each side and the problem will go away. I had the same issue. Amazon.com: CBR 929RR 01 6 Ohm, 50 Watt LED light bulb Load Resistor 2001 CBR 929RR Automotive LED Light Bulb Load…

TowX 08-14-2010 08:34 AM

I had the same problem on my trailer with regular bulbs until I had the dealer reflash the ECU to recognize the trailer. All was fine for 2 years until I decided to try LED light replacements, and they flash fast again. Different current draw.

mgbmwx5- I'll have to give those resistors a try. Did it slow the blinker or brake light response time?

dlennard 08-14-2010 09:08 AM

There was a post on here a while back and someone said to use a U Haul 39008 module. I have not tried it but it looks like it will work.

mgbmwx5 08-14-2010 12:26 PM

The brake lights are not affected at all. The flasher and lights are back to normal now.


Quote:

Originally Posted by TowX (Post 761947)
I had the same problem on my trailer with regular bulbs until I had the dealer reflash the ECU to recognize the trailer. All was fine for 2 years until I decided to try LED light replacements, and they flash fast again. Different current draw.

mgbmwx5- I'll have to give those resistors a try. Did it slow the blinker or brake light response time?


TowX 08-14-2010 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgbmwx5 (Post 761975)
The brake lights are not affected at all. The flasher and lights are back to normal now.

Interesting. My trailer uses the same filament for brake and blinker. I suppose the LED lights I got could be different, haven't looked at them that closely. What I'd really like is amber blinkers on the trailer, and move the lights higher up than where they are at the back of the beavertail. But that's a project for way down the road, first I have to finish building my 911 engine so I can actually have a reason to use the trailer.

JCL 08-14-2010 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlennard (Post 761949)
There was a post on here a while back and someone said to use a U Haul 39008 module. I have not tried it but it looks like it will work.


Good memory. This was the one I recommended trying in a previous thread (after making sure that it isn't a simple ground problem)

U-Haul moving supplies: LED Light Trailer Module

nom3rcy 08-14-2010 03:39 PM

Update

Turns out it was the LED trailer lights causing the issue.

I bought an adapter harness made by Valley which worked perfectly.

It is part # 39010 and is also available from VW/Audi/Porsche as part number ZVW808004

All it is is a 7RV plug on one end, 3' of cable, and then a 7RV socket on the other end, with voodoo in between lol

Works perfectly.

nom3rcy 08-14-2010 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL (Post 761979)
Good memory. This was the one I recommended trying in a previous thread (after making sure that it isn't a simple ground problem)

U-Haul moving supplies: LED Light Trailer Module

That looks like the right solution if you need a 4-pin adapter as well.

TowX 08-14-2010 05:03 PM

Unfortunately that only works for trailers that either have no brakes or have surge brakes. Electric brakes require a 6- or 7-pin plug.

Here's the Valley part for the 7-round to 7-round adapter:
7-Way to 7-Way Trailer Adapter for VW, Audi and Porsche Towing Trailers with LED Lights Valley Wiring V39010

JCL 08-14-2010 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TowX (Post 762002)
Unfortunately that only works for trailers that either have no brakes or have surge brakes. Electric brakes require a 6- or 7-pin plug.

Here's the Valley part for the 7-round to 7-round adapter:
7-Way to 7-Way Trailer Adapter for VW, Audi and Porsche Towing Trailers with LED Lights Valley Wiring V39010

Good solution, and a good price.

It also suggests that the BMW tow wiring module uses the same Bosch electronics as VW/Porsche/Audi use.

mgbmwx5 08-14-2010 08:23 PM

This looks like a cheap solution:

7-Way to 5-Way and 4-Way Trailer Adapter for VW, Audi and Porsche Towing Trailers with LED Lights Valley Wiring V39008




http://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/gr...V/3/V39008.jpghttp://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/gr...39008_1000.jpg


http://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/gr.../V39008_50.jpghttp://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/gr...39008_2_50.jpghttp://www.etrailer.com/merchant2/gr...39008_3_50.jpg
7-Way to 5-Way and 4-Way Trailer Adapter for VW, Audi and Porsche Towing Trailers with LED Lights

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/gr...ogo/Valley.gif

Code: V39008
Price:$14.95
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
Shipping Special
Quantity: Shopping Cart is Empty

Valley Wiring - V39008

Designed for use with 2007+ Volkswagen Tourareg, Audi Q7 and Porche Cayenne when towing a trailer equipped with LED lights.
Valley 7 way RV style adapter to 4 and 5 pole flat trailer connectors
  • Designed for use with 2007+ Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne (or any vehicle with a factory specific 7-way plug) when towing a trailer equipped with LED lights
  • Plugs into a 7-way connector on the vehicle and 4 way or 5 way flat connector on the trailer

JCL 08-15-2010 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgbmwx5 (Post 762031)
This looks like a cheap solution:

That is the same one suggested above, right down to the same part number.

zzzzkev 10-13-2010 08:43 AM

Did anybody have these errors associated with the trailer hitch electronics module?

>CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS<
>CHECK REAR LIGHTS<

I pulled the electronic module out 2 weeks ago, my Indy cleared the codes and the next time the auto-lights came on at dusk - BING! Same problem, so it's not the trailer hitch electronics module (the one that controls the trailer's lights) it's associated with the headlights. During the day it doesn't error out.


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