No indicators AGAIN - Help

[Patrolee]

I need some help from the many experts on this forum as this intermittent problem is driving me (and my auto-electrician) nuts! I use my 2000 4.2TD to tow a horsefloat. On several occasions, when towing, my indicators/turn signals stop working….not safe when towing huge horse float. Auto electrician changes a fuse and checks that everything is OK and away we go and then a few trips later, it does it again. Luckily, I always notice the absence of the ‘indicator ticking’ before we are far from home.
Background – have had float since new (2003) and this has only been happening in last 12 months. Had same AE do a thorough check of all electrics in Patrol and float 3 months ago. Replaced electric tow unit then. Float has only been towed with my Patrol. Patrol never tows anything else. (I know…boring life for my Patrol, compared to what some of you get up to!) Brake lights, headlights, tail lights still work…just no indicators. This only happens when I have the horsefloat attached, but not on every occasion. Damned intermittent faults! When I got my Patrol in 2003, it used to blow the indicators if I pushed the hazard lights button. I got it fixed and have avoided using hazard lights, but mention it in case it is linked to my current problem.
Any suggestions?

[4bye4]

Mate your comment about changing the fuse. Check the "plug" that the fuse blades slide into. I have had over the years these getting corrosion or plaque on them and the fuse not making contact, although it appears OK.

Also the blowing fuse on the hazards used to happen on mine, but it was due to the rear lights (I have wired the Christmas tree in) and camping trailer overloading the 15A fuse. I replaced it with a 20A and no more worries.

[Patrolee]

Thanks 4bye4. I am determined to get to the bottom of this problem, so will be waiting outside the auto-electrician's tomorrow morning, along with the suggestions from other Patrol owners. Hopefully it will save some time.

[4bye4]

Hope it's as easy as mine was.

[Bigcol]

have a look at the trailer plug itself as well, make sure all the pins have the wires going in neatly, and no stray wires
also check that the plug pins are not loose
also, be aware that when you plug it in and out, you need to hold the plug firmly, but not pull up and down, but just push in, and pull out straight

and trace all the wires to where they join the loom makings sure of NO nick's, cuts wear points
AND
if you find any Scotch lock type connectors, boot your AE in the ar$e, they are crappy and will always cause trouble

they look like this......

scotch lock.jpg

[kevin07]

rewire the horse float and put led lights in.

[Patrolee]

Thanks for tips on plug use, Bigcol. I have not always pushed plug straight in and out. Will check there carefully.

[Patrolee]

Kevin07 (not the politician, I hope)...just wondering how rewiring with LED helps the problem? Love my Patrol, but very limited experience with what's under the bonnet etc.

[Bigcol]

he means change the tail lights on the Horse float to LED's

it helps to lower the amount of current draw - which may be why it is blowing fuses
if you total up the watt's on all the indicators (car & float) it may be just on the line of over loading the system

also, wet weather wont help if there is a bad connection

[Cuppa]

Like 4bye4 I found that my indicators which worked ok with the vehicle solo would blow their fuse when connected to the trailer. A slightly higher rated fuse resolved this. However you have previously towed your float without problem...... so something has changed.

My guess is that you have , as BigCol suggests a momentary short somewhere, most likely somewhere from the plug back to the trailer. When the cable moves, a short occurs & it is enough to cause the fuse to blow. As it is going to be somewhere where wires can move, & the biggest area of movement is around the plug area, this is probably the primary suspect area, but try swiching on your hazards make sure all is working, & whilst leaving them on go around systematically wiggling wires to see if you can make them not work or blow a fuse. Having a mirror or reflective board behind the trailer lights can help to see what is going on.

Intermittent faults are indeed a PIA.