Another question from a newbie.

The dealer fitted the tow bar wiring two weeks after we got the car, they ordered the wrong part!, and now I've got a 13 pin plug and a couple of metres of cable. It's not for a caravan, just a four wheel load trailer.

My question is, does plugging in a cable connected to nothing register on the car? Is there a microswitch on the socket, or is it dependent on electrical load to sense? Nothing came up on the display with the ignition on, does the engine need to run as well? Didn't want to make the only cold start of the day in these temperatures just to find out.

Just needs ignition on as far as I'm aware and a load like a lighting board.

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Thanks, but what makes it recognise there is a plug in the socket?

Does it work when there is no electrical load?

I'm just trying to establish if the dealer has done the job properly. My towing needs are pretty spaspodic, but I need to know that it has been set up right - I've got this funny feeling that it might not be, especially as they ordered the wrong loom before we collected the car. It all looks ok, I'll try a live Maxidot screen test tomorrow.

Thanks, but what makes it recognise there is a plug in the socket?

Does it work when there is no electrical load?

I'm just trying to establish if the dealer has done the job properly. My towing needs are pretty spaspodic, but I need to know that it has been set up right - I've got this funny feeling that it might not be, especially as they ordered the wrong loom before we collected the car. It all looks ok, I'll try a live Maxidot screen test tomorrow.

What EXACTLY are you plugging in?

I cannot see how you can plug something in with no load.

EDIT.

Basically, the only difference between the 7 pin and 13 pin wiring is the plug at the end of the lead.

The car will recognise a load on the electrics. It will not recognise just a disconnected plug inserted into the socket if that is what you mean.

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The car will recognise a load on the electrics. It will not recognise just a disconnected plug inserted into the socket if that is what you mean.

Not so sure about that.

I disconnected the caravan electrics from the car whilst the car was still locked and no lights on, and the alarm sounded.

Not so sure about that.

I disconnected the caravan electrics from the car whilst the car was still locked and no lights on, and the alarm sounded.

Sorry, what I meant by an electrical load i.e. just connected to a caravan.

What it won't detect is a flying lead with nothing connected to it, i.e. open circuit, which it would not detect as being connected.

Sorry, what I meant by an electrical load i.e. just connected to a caravan.

What it won't detect is a flying lead with nothing connected to it, i.e. open circuit, which it would not detect as being connected.

Mmm, I must be thicker than I thought I was!

My trailer has no load - no fridge, no battery, so how can the car it recognise the plug/socket connection. With no lights switched on, there will be no load - or am I missing something here completely?

Just been down to the dealer - and they basically haven't a clue. It's been booked in for next week to see if they have fiddled with the software - or not. They did not seem aware what was involved - reverse lights/fogs/reverse sensors etc

I did have a flash of inspiration, and suggest that although there was no electrical "load", it might be "canbussed" and show an open circuit, ie no lamp bulbs etc

This met with furrowed brows and muttering.

I'm a bit busy for the next couple of weeks with the Legend Fires North West Stages in Blackpool this weekend, and the Wyedean next weekend, so it will have to be checked out in a couple of weeks

Yet another clueless dealer!

Are they all using Sinclair ZX's?

When you plug in a Trailer cable (lighting board or Caravan) you have created an electrical circuit between gound (earth) and the other feeds (lights, fridge etc). Each bulb will have a resistance and this resistance can be tested for and detected. Thats how the smart Canbus can tell if you have plugged a trailer cable in. It dosn't have to turn on the power to a bulb, it can 'see' it by it's resistance.

MPW

Jerry

Bath

Black 140 Elegance

Yet another clueless dealer!

Are they all using Sinclair ZX's?

Strangely, I've got a Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Spectrum + on the desk next to me for old times sake, in full working order (whatever that was)

I've just got a 13 pin to 7 pin adapter to try the trailer when time allows, and told the dealer what I was doing. Still scratched their heads, but I think I've worked out the answer to my own question

Mmm, I must be thicker than I thought I was!

My trailer has no load - no fridge, no battery, so how can the car it recognise the plug/socket connection. With no lights switched on, there will be no load - or am I missing something here completely?

If you have a trailer connected then there is a load even if the lights are not switched on, as there is a 'closed' circuit. The electrics can only detect a circuit like that. Plug a lighting board into the electrics, lock the car with lights on or off, disconnect the electrics and as Llanigraham said, the alarm will go off. Same with a caravan or trailer. But if the lead you plugged in had nothing attached to it, so it did not make a complete circuit, then it would not detect anything.

Thanks guys.

I worked it out myself when I was explaining to the "techie" at the dealers about canbus wiring when the penny dropped

I'm a bit busy for the next couple of weeks with the Legend Fires North West Stages in Blackpool this weekend, and the Wyedean next weekend, so it will have to be checked out in a couple of weeks

I'll be interested to see if the system recognises your trailer when actually connected as my Yeti doesn't. However I now know that my dealer didn't program the system when they fitted the tow bar/electrics.

Enjoy NW Stages 'Yety'. I'm running FF & Stop at Weeton on Saturday. Looks as though we've either got rain or snow (take your pick). Can't be any worse than last year - can it?!!!

Edited 1 February, 201214 yr by speedsport

Enjoy NW Stages 'Yety'. I'm running FF & Stop at Weeton on Saturday. Looks as though we've either got rain or snow (take your pick). Can't be any worse than last year - can it?!!!

I'm on Weeton 1 & 2 (Jnct 24), having travelled up in my old 180k+, D reg SJ from Cardiff. Doing Clifton sewerage works Friday night , and the prom after Weeton. I'm working on SHMBO to use the Yeti, but I need to find a handy grommet to feed the radio wiring through the bulkhead.

The radio controller, Phil Mostyn, is returning the favour as my start radio on Trelleck Common on the Wyedean the following weekend - you scratch my back etc

I'm on Weeton 1 & 2 (Jnct 24), having travelled up in my old 180k+, D reg SJ from Cardiff. Doing Clifton sewerage works Friday night , and the prom after Weeton. I'm working on SHMBO to use the Yeti, but I need to find a handy grommet to feed the radio wiring through the bulkhead.

The radio controller, Phil Mostyn, is returning the favour as my start radio on Trelleck Common on the Wyedean the following weekend - you scratch my back etc

AARGH! There are a few of us looking for that illusive handy grommet!! I've taken my permanent live feed by piggy-backing onto the the underneath of the aux power socket (cig lighter socket) by the handbrake, and the earth on a handy bolt behind the removable panel to the left of the driver's footwell, but if you want to run something direct from the under-bonnet fuse box (where there are plenty of spare connectors) we know that there's a grommet down behind the battery that may run through to somewhere behind the plethora of air-con gubbins behind the glove box. Certainly there's a fairly substantial wiring loom disappearing through the bulkhead there, but the bulkhead appears to be some sort of double skinned affair and so far no-one has admitted to being able to find that grommet on the inside of the car.

The Yeti is so well built that all the places where you can usually get through from the engine compartment are either behind trim, or totally hidden once the dashboard is fitted. If you find a way, do let us know! Though I suggest it's a warm weather job!

Latest BBC weather up here for Friday is fine but very cold, Saturday starting off cold and overcast but dry, with rain SNOW in the afternoon, easing in the evening, just right for signing on and clearing up . Clifton is better than it sounds (at this time of year)- Weeton is very dark & no facilities!

See you there, and make sure you wind up the Mostyn - I shall!!!!

John H

Edited 3 February, 201214 yr by speedsport

Jerry,

I presume you are charging White Dove for your expertise?

Have fun on the NW; I'm at work all weekend, and as for the WyeDean, have an invite to Mailscot after I refused to do Speech House after last years debacle! Not sure if I will get there yet though.

I gave up with trying to find a route for the wiring. It's a pair of clips direct to the battery and in through the front edge of the passenger door!

I'm using a cigarette light plug for my CB radio. All seemed fine to me when I was using it. No noise coming from car.

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Jerry,

I presume you are charging White Dove for your expertise?

Have fun on the NW; I'm at work all weekend, and as for the WyeDean, have an invite to Mailscot after I refused to do Speech House after last years debacle! Not sure if I will get there yet though.

I gave up with trying to find a route for the wiring. It's a pair of clips direct to the battery and in through the front edge of the passenger door!

I never said it was White Dove

If you've time on your hands, you can help me next Friday as it looks like I'll be setting out the stage on my own

Good to meet you at Weeton yesterday Jerry. Hope you've thawed out by now - oh just a minute, I nearly forgot.... being a radio car meant that you could stay inside, keeping nice & toasty, unlike me & my crew outside running the finish whilst coping with freezing rain (and I mean real freezing rain folks, instantly coating everything it touched with sheet ice, something I've never encountered before) !

Taken early afternoon. After another 3 hours, the ice had built up to such a thickness that the nearside door handle recesses were completely smooth so that you couldn't get your fingers behind the handles to pull 'em, not that the doors would have opened anyway! Before setting off for home, I had to break the ice off the headlamps as the beam was totally diffused and pointing in all directions, and had to clear the lower radiator grille openings to let air through as the ice had sheeted right across the louvres! As for the journey home, best described as challenging, though the Yeti's performance exceeded my wildest expectations on winter tyres, so sure footed!

Good luck next weekend, hope it's a bit warmer!

Edited 5 February, 201214 yr by speedsport

Good to meet you at Weeton yesterday Jerry. Hope you've thawed out by now - oh just a minute, I nearly forgot.... being a radio car meant that you could stay inside, keeping nice & toasty, unlike me & my crew outside running the finish whilst coping with freezing rain (and I mean real freezing rain folks, instantly coating everything it touched with sheet ice, something I've never encountered before) !

Good luck next weekend, hope it's a bit warmer!

Hi there, good to see a Yeti in it's natural environment

I think you may be wrong - I'm a radio marshal. Gone are the days of sitting in warm cars I fell over at least twice sorting out the car parking arrangements at Jct 23/24+, helping with tape/cones/broken off wheels/driveshafts/collisions with parked competitors etc.

I have no heated anything electrical in the SJ, just a good old fashioned heater. I had to beetle off to the Prom after two runs where it was even colder on the FF. Interesting to see a council gritter on the stage though. Stayed the night and had a trouble free run home this morning.

Might bump into you again - who knows it might be in the SM.

Correction, Radio Marshal... apologies Jerry!

Maybe I'm too used to the crews we normally get at FF & Stop who just seem to stay nice & warm in their cars, rarely venturing out!

When the rain first started, I was cursing my new walking shoes that were getting their motorsport christening, as I was struggling to get any sort of grip on the wet concrete. It took a bit of time before I realised that it wasn't my shoes that were the problem, it was the sheet ice! The Yeti's winter boots gave little indication of how icy it was - it was only when I got out & tried to walk on the stuff that I realised just how treacherous it was!

I can certainly recommend the SM for such expeditions. The only down side is the length of time that it takes the heater to start working after the engine has got really cold - as it did on Saturday. In truth, a rather petty complaint given everything else the car does so extraordinarily well.

John H

Jerry,

I presume you are charging White Dove for your expertise?

Graham, you were right

I tried the trailer yesterday - all the lights worked including rear fog. However there was a bulb failure warning, the reverse beeper still worked and no indication the "system" recognised the trailer. Looks like they just plugged the loom in and nothing else.

Back to the dealer on Monday to see if they can work out what to do

Graham, you were right

I tried the trailer yesterday - all the lights worked including rear fog. However there was a bulb failure warning, the reverse beeper still worked and no indication the "system" recognised the trailer. Looks like they just plugged the loom in and nothing else.

Back to the dealer on Monday to see if they can work out what to do

I'm not saying a word.... :(

I reckon you need to take the other half shopping in Swansea from now on, I understand there is a much better dealer down there.