trailer light on after upgrading lights to Less how to fix?

A

aquifer

Member

Posts

75

• Nov 6, 2018

• #1

hi, I recently upgraded my lights to led ones on a 2008 defender.

as soon as I turned on to check they were working the trailer tow light came on and comes on every since.

any idea of how or what I can do?

 

marjon

Well-Known Member

Full Member

Posts

16,729

Location

Bulgaria

• Nov 6, 2018

• #2

Unplug the trailer

I believe many have issues and some other sort of electrikery has to be added or removed ,along the lines of resistors if I remeber correctly.
Some body will be along and answer this, I know it’s a common problem with LED conversion.

J

 

tottot

Well-Known Member

Posts

8,028

Location

west wales coast

• Nov 6, 2018

• #3

Damm I thought the same," unplug the trailor" beat me to it marjon.

 

Discokids

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,160

Location

Derbyshire

• Nov 6, 2018

• #4

It's well documented, you need to either fit resistors between the wiring and led, or buy an adjustable load indicator relay. Your relay senses a different load when a trailer is plugged in, hence the light comes on. Not sure how that's works with less load, usually they just don't flash, staying on constantly.

 

Discokids

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,160

Location

Derbyshire

• Nov 6, 2018

• #5

I nearly fitted the led lights to my rebuild but for a few reasons decided against it, this issue being the final nail in the coffin.

 

zeaphod

Well-Known Member

Posts

3,107

Location

Belfast, Norn Iron

• Nov 6, 2018

• #6

The trailer light comes on because of the extra load on the indicator circuit from the indicator lights on the trailer. It usually doesn't come on after a LED conversion because there is less load on the circuit. However, many LED conversions use a replacement indicator relay with a load adjustment knob, this can be adjusted so that the trailer indicator light comes on all the time. If you have one of these relays fitted, this is the first place to look. If adjusting it doesn't make any difference, it's worth replacing it as they can be a bit crap from new.

 

FlyingPete

Well-Known Member

Posts

1,305

Location

Coventry

• Nov 6, 2018

• #7

Don't fit resistors- it's a massive bodge and more work. Just fit an adjustable flasher relay instead. It then becomes a plug-in solution which is far better. Turn the adjuster so the lights flash at normal speed, and the dash trailer light doesn't flash unless a trailer is connected. Simplest and best option.