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Towing Audible Indicator

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:44 am
by leeg3910
Hi,
I bought a towing module for my E53 X5 and lights now work on my caravan but I have no alert either buzzer sound or visual on the dash to tell me my indicators are operating.
I assumed the module would make that happen.
Do I need to have this programmed in? or will I need to wire in a buzzer and if so, any tips or advice in regards to fitting or location of buzzer would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Lee

Re: Towing Audible Indicator

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 1:28 pm
by leeg3910
Hi,
Problem solved I think. I've been told the X5 only puts an alert  on if a bulb goes out rather than whenever you indicate.

Lee

Re: Towing Audible Indicator

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 1:57 pm
by Greydog
Absolutely correct, been dragging the horse trailer around for a few years with the X5 it carries out the bulb check on hook up and will let you know via the normal dash message. The horse trailer has LED lamps they must be canbus friendly as I have had no flicker issues or warnings.Still walk around every time just to make sure though

Re: Towing Audible Indicator

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 2:14 pm
by leeg3910
That's great. Thanks for confirming.

Lee

Re: Towing Audible Indicator

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 8:28 pm
by Horizon
[quote="leeg3910"]
That's great. Thanks for confirming.

Lee
[/quote]
There are two types of module, one seems to be just a bypass / relay box that picks up a signal from the cars lights and works a relay in the box sending a separate live feed to the trailer bulb
Then there is a dedicated system that links in the the cars canbus system, which is the one I have just fitted to my X3. Mine doesn't bleep when indicating which suprised me as the vans at work do.
I don't know if mine checks the bulbs as yet as I only picked the caravan up on Sunday so haven't had the chance to test it out properly yet.
Image

Re: Towing Audible Indicator

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 7:44 am
by Greydog
My 4.6 has a factory fitted detachable tow bar, when the trailer is hooked up the indicators don't make any noises.
A plus point is the rear parking sensors are disabled so the front sensors spring into life. Useful when reversing the box into tight spots as I don't have to concentrate quite as much on where the front is and with the reverse camera the rears are pretty much redundant anyway. For a few days after towing the rears work fine then just stop annoying that they stop the front functioning.