Hi we have a witter towbar that has been on a number of years around 5 I think ,we also have a 2002 fleetwood colchester. At easter when we towed the van we noticed the right hand side of ven when the plugs were in. The indicators worked both sides and the were blinking ok too, just the light on the right side was out. Sowe sprayed with WD 40 and all was ok . Last week we towed again and same thing happened although when we were on the way home it went off again .It was daylight luckily, but it looks like the grey plug thats causing it has anyone got any idea what it might be and could we fix it ourselves . We dont know if its the cars plug or the vans plug thats the problem can anyone give us any advice it would be really appreciated thanks
The trailer lights work off the black plug. Can you borrow a trailer board to see if it's the car or caravan causing the problem? Or you could check each pin of the socket with a tester of some kind.
To be fair the 12N and S connections aren't the best design and do weaken plus suffer with mild surface corrosion over time.
Dismantle the plug and socket and check for loose connections, but also consider Madasaman's comment too regarding cleaning of the terminals.
I've developed the habit of squirting switch cleaner into my fittings (plugs and sockets) at every use and as a consequence, have experienced less bother with these connections over recent years.
thanks will try cleaning the terminals with emery paper its the grey plug what we are having trouble with we think michael as its the drivers side of the car which lights are not working we will give them a clean tomorrow and let you know what happens
Quote: Originally posted by maggie51 on 17/6/2012
thanks will try cleaning the terminals with emery paper its the grey plug what we are having trouble with we think michael as its the drivers side of the car which lights are not working we will give them a clean tomorrow and let you know what happens
No it is the black socket. ALL the lights are sorted on the black socket apart from any reversing light. The grey socket only deals with the fridge, charge for the battery and power for the van, you can quite happily and legally tow a caravan with only the black socket connected and have all the road lights working.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
For what they cost, it's well worth replacing both plug and socket. They are about £5 each and well worth replacing every couple of years as they do give trouble. For what they cost it's not worth the hastle of jiggling the plug around and wondering all the way if they still work.
I change mine about every 2 years as I find after about two years they can start to play up.
Quote: Originally posted by DaveCoaches on 17/6/2012
For what they cost, it's well worth replacing both plug and socket. They are about £5 each and well worth replacing every couple of years as they do give trouble. For what they cost it's not worth the hastle of jiggling the plug around and wondering all the way if they still work.
I change mine about every 2 years as I find after about two years they can start to play up.
I was just reading through and was going to post exactly the same, If you're stripping them to clean them, just replace them.
------------- Doing as little as possible for as much as possible...
thanks wer are not very confident on diy or electrics but have started doing bits ourselves so we are going to try and clean them up and if that dosent work then try replace the plugs thanks everyone
thanks madasaman oh has just gone for some electrical contact cleaner from halfords as we only used wd 40 before but have been told it evaporates so need proper cleaner i am looking on e bay now for the plugs cheere everyone
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Topic: electric connections
