Towing bracket

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Christopher - 14 Aug 2005 21:31 GMT

Hi all,

I added a towing bracket on my Volvo 460.
No problem there.
The electricals have me a bit confused. The original Volvo car kit wasn't
available so I went for a general brand and installed it according to it's
instructions.
Now when I connect the plug from the trailer to the car, the bulb failure
light on the dashboard doesn't go out anymore and thus stating that a bulb
from the car is broken. This is not the case. All lights are working fine.
Anyone has any idea how to solve this? Maybe relays between the car lights
and the trailer lights?

Thanks,
Christopher

Reply to this Message

Mike F - 15 Aug 2005 15:40 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Thanks,
> Christopher

I can't speak definitely about a 460, but I'll assume it's wired the
same as a 240/740. To bypass the brake bulb failure, I always run a
wire from the brake light switch to the back for trailer use. The tail
light bulbs are in the bulb failure circuit, so I tap into the licence
light wire for the trailer's tail lights.

Signature

Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

Reply to this Message

Roy Bolton - 17 Aug 2005 18:34 GMT

Hi Christopher,

The bulb failure device is a reed relay which senses differences in voltage
between the two pairs of bulbs. ie. indicators/brakes etc. If one of the
pair goes out/or if there is a voltage drop as with a faulty bulb which
still works, the relay senses this difference and switches on the bulb
failure light.

Therefore all wiring should be upstream of the bulb failure warning device.
Check you wiring diagram for the best place to take the feed from.

Regards,

Roy

Reply to this Message