V50/ caravan indicator question?

BJB · Nov 2nd, 2020, 15:36

My V50 has had a towbar on now for around 8yrs now, (06)and has been towing a small trailer with normal bulb lights with no electrical problems (7 pin. Plug/ Play Right Connection electrics ).
I have just bought a newish small caravan which has LED lights with 13 pin plug, which I use a 7-13 pin converter.
The issue I'm having is that when my indicator is on, the indicators themselves appear to be at normal speed, but the flasher unit seems to go double the speed (clicking like made) and the side repeaters (door mirrors) seem to do a double pulse.
Has anyone else had this happen, as I'm not sure if its damaging the flasher unit or ECU.
Any help appreciated.

Bendolfc · Nov 2nd, 2020, 15:45

Double speed normally indicates a bulb out so it probably just thinks one of the bulbs has blown.

Welton · Nov 2nd, 2020, 15:49

A flasher relay expects a certain amount of resistance to flash at normal speed, if a bulb goes then it flashes faster.

Not sure why adding the caravan would change anything though.

BJB · Nov 2nd, 2020, 16:08

Thanks, I'll have to have another look, but I'm almost sure they're working. I did read ages ago, that some people were saying that a software update needed to be done if plug/ play fitted. I think this maybe related to LED's, where normal bulbs are fitted to the car.

NI_Volvo_Nut · Nov 2nd, 2020, 16:09

V50's are CANBUS, it recognises the trailer / caravan is there but doesn't see the indicators. You have 2 options, replace the bulbs with normal bulbs (I don't understand why LED's were ever a thing for trailers!) or you can add resistors into the vehicle towing loom to fool it into thinking the bulbs are there and it will direct power to them.
Something like this --> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Trail...Cclp%3A2334524

BJB · Nov 2nd, 2020, 16:48

Thanks for that NI Volvo Nut, I wasn't sure how it would recognise the LEDs. I already have a 7-13 pin adapter fitted, and I don't think it would be possible to change to bulbs.
Will try and get a 7-13 converter, as the one listed is a 7-7 . Cheers

BJB · Nov 2nd, 2020, 21:46

Have given this problem some thought, and if they are saying it requires 5w resistance for the Can bus to recognise that it's a bulb, I'm tempted to connect a 5 or 10w bulb in a holder into the back of my CAR electrical socket . I'll need to have a switch so I can turn them off when caravan electrics not being used. Worth a look at anyway.

Whyman · Nov 3rd, 2020, 04:11

Is the caravan a Swift?

If yes then this is a k own problem and there is a replacement module you can buy from Sargent who supply the electrical and electronic systems to Swift.

BJB · Nov 3rd, 2020, 08:50

Yes , it's a Swift Basecamp 2, I'll have a look into it. Many thanks for your input.

Nov 2nd, 2020, 15:36	#1
BJB Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2024 19:05 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ashley Heath	V50/ caravan indicator question? My V50 has had a towbar on now for around 8yrs now, (06)and has been towing a small trailer with normal bulb lights with no electrical problems (7 pin. Plug/ Play Right Connection electrics ). I have just bought a newish small caravan which has LED lights with 13 pin plug, which I use a 7-13 pin converter. The issue I'm having is that when my indicator is on, the indicators themselves appear to be at normal speed, but the flasher unit seems to go double the speed (clicking like made) and the side repeaters (door mirrors) seem to do a double pulse. Has anyone else had this happen, as I'm not sure if its damaging the flasher unit or ECU. Any help appreciated.

Nov 2nd, 2020, 15:49	#3
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	A flasher relay expects a certain amount of resistance to flash at normal speed, if a bulb goes then it flashes faster. Not sure why adding the caravan would change anything though. __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

Nov 2nd, 2020, 16:09	#5
NI_Volvo_Nut Volvologist Last Online: Dec 6th, 2023 11:13 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangor - Norn Iron View Photos By: NI_Volvo_Nut	V50's are CANBUS, it recognises the trailer / caravan is there but doesn't see the indicators. You have 2 options, replace the bulbs with normal bulbs (I don't understand why LED's were ever a thing for trailers!) or you can add resistors into the vehicle towing loom to fool it into thinking the bulbs are there and it will direct power to them. Something like this --> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Trail...Cclp%3A2334524 __________________ What's the matter with the car I'm driving? Can't you tell that it's out of style? Should I get a set of white wall tires? Are you gonna cruise the miracle mile?

Nov 3rd, 2020, 04:11	#8
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:32 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	Is the caravan a Swift? If yes then this is a k own problem and there is a replacement module you can buy from Sargent who supply the electrical and electronic systems to Swift. __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

Nov 2nd, 2020, 15:45	#2
Bendolfc Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 11:43 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liverpool	Double speed normally indicates a bulb out so it probably just thinks one of the bulbs has blown.

Nov 2nd, 2020, 16:08	#4
BJB Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2024 19:05 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ashley Heath	Thanks, I'll have to have another look, but I'm almost sure they're working. I did read ages ago, that some people were saying that a software update needed to be done if plug/ play fitted. I think this maybe related to LED's, where normal bulbs are fitted to the car.

Nov 2nd, 2020, 16:48	#6
BJB Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2024 19:05 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ashley Heath	Thanks for that NI Volvo Nut, I wasn't sure how it would recognise the LEDs. I already have a 7-13 pin adapter fitted, and I don't think it would be possible to change to bulbs. Will try and get a 7-13 converter, as the one listed is a 7-7 . Cheers

Nov 2nd, 2020, 21:46	#7
BJB Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2024 19:05 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ashley Heath	Have given this problem some thought, and if they are saying it requires 5w resistance for the Can bus to recognise that it's a bulb, I'm tempted to connect a 5 or 10w bulb in a holder into the back of my CAR electrical socket . I'll need to have a switch so I can turn them off when caravan electrics not being used. Worth a look at anyway.

Nov 3rd, 2020, 08:50	#9
BJB Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2024 19:05 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ashley Heath	Yes , it's a Swift Basecamp 2, I'll have a look into it. Many thanks for your input.

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