Faulty earth on tow bar electrics or caravan.

[KillerPete]

Help....I've got a bad earth on either my tow bar electrics or my caravan lights, the usual, indicator on brake light on, brake light and indicator both go dim and both flash.

How can I check the electrics on the motor (without going to any great expense) to see if the problem is there before I start on the van.

Cheers

Peter.

[siweb]

can you just not plug another trailer/van into your car :?:

[KillerPete]

Cheers siweb, not thought of that ops: ops: , shall try to get access to a trailer.

[dinky]

Get a spare plug and short lenth of 7core ,wire as socket and i use voltage meter for readings.to make sure no problems.Check contactsin socket moght need opening up a bit.

[elty001]

i had a simular problem with mine when i first got it.where the wiring was connected (behind the interior rear panel on the passenger side)all the connections where wet through.dried them out and checked them and they have worked fine ever since.

[Paul]

Bit of topic Pete.. SORRY

Where you store your van? can't find anywhere round here.

Paul

[iandouglas]

HI
I had same problem with a Abbey caravan lights .
I cleaned up all contacts but problem still present .
Cure was a replacement Earth cable .
I spliced into earth at lighting panelat rear of caravan soldered joint .
ran cable under caravan and spliced into 7 core Earth cable .
taped up underneath along chassis works fine for last 5 years.
Earth cable wasnt heavy duty enough it had gone blue/black.
rgds.iandouglas

[rossco]

Check your vehicle plug with a volt meter, or a tester which has a bulb.

Step 1. Turn your park lights on, and place the earth lead from the tester on to your vehicle (a earthing point) and then touch the connections in the plug with the other lead until you get a reading. See how much voltage is there.

Step 2. locate the earth in the plug and the live wire and see what kind of reading you get there.

Compare the voltage readings, they should be the same 12v+.

If not a fault in your vehicle earthing wire.
If they are the same reading the fault is with the caravan/ trailer.

Find the earth grounding and clean it.

9 times out of 10 it's the trailer/caravans earth. :wink:

[KillerPete]

Cheers gang, thanks for all the help.

Next question........

Can anybody tell me when we are going to get a good weekend so I can get them checked.......... : : :

Paul332, I keep mine at the inlaws up saddleworth. But there is a place at mumps called Britannia caravans on Britannia street.