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wiring for electrics for towbar

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dan2002
dan2002 Posts: 535 Forumite
hi all trying to wire up the electrics for towing a trailer ,its a hyundai elantra 2.0TD ,got it all wired up and brake lights a tail lights are working fine but when I try the right indicator the side lights flash also as well as the left indicator as well as the dashboard lights,but the left indicator works and the dash board lights flash as well ,doing my head in now .I have took all the wires apart three times and know they are wired right anyone able to give advice please

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  • EcoR1
    EcoR1 Posts: 97 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts
    dan2002 wrote: »
    hi all trying to wire up the electrics for towing a trailer ,its a hyundai elantra 2.0TD ,got it all wired up and brake lights a tail lights are working fine but when I try the right indicator the side lights flash also as well as the left indicator as well as the dashboard lights,but the left indicator works and the dash board lights flash as well ,doing my head in now .I have took all the wires apart three times and know they are wired right anyone able to give advice please

    With or without a trailer attached? If with then it's possibly a trailer problem, if without, and it wasn't doing it before, then you've got some wires wrong somewhere.
  • dan2002
    dan2002 Posts: 535 Forumite
    hi car is fine without trailer only happens when trailer is attached to car also its a new trailer out of B&Q
  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 34,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Check out the wiring on the trailer. Does the harness have plugs going into the light units, check they are fitted correctly, it is quite easy to fit them out of position as they often have a soft rubber keyway. Check that the earth to the trailer is connected.
  • ariba10
    ariba10 Posts: 5,432 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Older cars were very easy to wire for a tow bar, but the modern ones have a very sophisticated wiring harness.

    The last two cars I have bought I have taken to a professional to have done.
    I used to be indecisive but now I am not sure.
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,928 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sounds like you got them mixed up, Crossed wires or faulty earth.

    Double check the wire colours on the rear lights. Twin or single electrics?
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • vaio
    vaio Posts: 12,287 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    earth problem, either socket or trailer
  • dan2002
    dan2002 Posts: 535 Forumite
    hi all thanks, its only single electrics and yes the earth wire (this is the white wire)is all connected ,I have taken the plug from trailer and checked that and the socket at towbar no lose wires, 5 hours on a saturday to fit this and still not got it !!!! ,should I try and run an earth wire from the car straight to the trailer indicator lights or from the indicators to the body of the trailer ?????????? what do you think
  • dan2002 wrote: »
    hi all thanks, its only single electrics and yes the earth wire (this is the white wire)is all connected ,I have taken the plug from trailer and checked that and the socket at towbar no lose wires, 5 hours on a saturday to fit this and still not got it !!!! ,should I try and run an earth wire from the car straight to the trailer indicator lights or from the indicators to the body of the trailer ?????????? what do you think

    The earth wire might be connected but if there is no return from the light itself to the chassis it wont work which is why the lights are seeking another route to earth. You need to check each light in turn and its earth.

    Just a point but I bought a ready wired Caravan socket and wire from halfords last year and it was wired up wrong with th Earth in the wrong position.
    The DWP = Legally kicking the Disabled when they are down.
  • vaio
    vaio Posts: 12,287 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you are sure you have the wires in the right places (and not mirror image) then unless you have a meter (and know how to use it) the easiest solution is elimination, try your car on a different trailer or your trailer on a different car.

    My money is still on a bad earth
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