Finally got an opportunity to hitch up the Goldstream Crown camper trailer to my new SE today and ran into my first problem.

The lights work properly, but the car is not recognizing that there is a van attached (no dash light with indication) and more annoyingly all 4 rear lights have a continuous small flutter when the van is hitched.

When I connected up my 6x4 trailer the problem doesn't exist, so the problem is clearly not the tow setup. (it was dealer fitted at purchase two weeks ago)

A bit of research indicates that the problem is possibly related to LED lights rather than bulbs used on the Van which don't provide enough resistance to be recognized. I don't think its an earthing problem. I will confirm with Goldstream re the LED's but I'm fairly sure that's what are are fitted.

The easiest solution is probably just to ignore it, but if there is a simple and relatively cheap solution i would prefer to fix it for a number of reasons.

Has anyone had the same issue? Is there an Australian fix?

this will sort it

Click image to enlarge

I was looking for a much cheaper solution than that.

This has come up a few times on disco3

You need a shunt fitted, to build up resistance to let the car see the lights

Search +caravan +led or +trailer +led

This will give better search results Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic25914.h...+%2Bled%2A Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I have the linear design box mounted on the caravan A bar. I bought it direct from their website. http://www.linearelectronicdesign.com. Very simple plug in, works great.
Rob 2009 TD4 SE, Alaska White, Ebony Leather, Sun Roof.

Thanks all; :
I will contact them today. The link works, and lineardesign are in Melbourne so it couldn't be much closer.
at $240 its not cheap, but if it does the job then I will go ahead, the saving on installation is appealing and I am NOT an auto electrician.

I received and fitted the linear design box which has solved most problems, the car recognizes that it has something attached and the tail light flutter has gone HOWEVER.....

The reversing sensors are NOT disabled when the van is attached.

I have contacted linear design who are "thinking" about the reasons/solutions.

It can't be the towpack/loom as they are disabled when my 6x4 trailer is attached with normal globes and no box.

Just wondering if others have had the same result? (I don't see it as a major issue)

If not, I may just have a faulty unit.

I have the linear design box with the factory trailer loom and the sensors are disabled when the van is connected. Not sure what the problem is with your set up. hope you can get it sorted.
Rob 2009 TD4 SE, Alaska White, Ebony Leather, Sun Roof.

I think I have worked out what the issue was:

1. Firstly I checked the box information Correct model
2. I connected just the box to the car - no trailer. No issue
3. I connected the box to my trailer circuit and then to the car. No Issue
4. I disconnected the box and started to reverse towards the van No parking sensors ???????

I stopped, looked up the handbook to see if I had accidentally turned off the sensors, couldn't find a switch, rang the dealer who confirmed that there is no switch for "rear only" sensors and decided that it must be a tow bar/loom warranty issue, however during our conversation, the dealer mentioned that when a tow bar is fitted, the on-board computer must be programmed to recognize the tow bar and that sparked a thought.

I went through the process a couple more times, looking for a pattern.

Finally I found it. Its all about the on-board computers' start-up "system check".

The recognition process only happens at start-up, so if the car identifies that there is no trailer attached, it activates the sensors and vice versa.

If the box is plugged in whilst the motor is running, no system check occurs, and the sensors remain active until the engine is turned off. Similarly, If the box is removed whilst the car is running, then the sensors remain deactivated.

This would explain scenario 4 and my original problem!

I have checked this a couple more times, so at the risk of sounding a bit stupid I thought I should post this in case some other newbie has a similar issue.

Case closed! (and thanks to linearelectronicdesign) who's communication helped solve the problem
.

When I plug in my caravan with engine running or without the front sensors work and the rear are disabled

When I unplug the caravan with engine running or not the rear sensors start working immediately

Think startup checks are irrelevant though I have a RRS now but sure my fl2 was the same  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

Checked it again since posting and the behaviour of the rear parking sensors definitely changes following the system check procedure and based on trailer/shunt attached/unattached.

I would say it is an LED thing and that is why LR advise -

Quote:

**Please note: These accessories are not suitable for Caravans, Trailers or Lighting Boards fitted with rear mounted LED lamps.

You are right about one thing, it's definitely an LED issue, but if you had read the whole thread you would have read that this was the reason for buying the product recommended in the thread, which is designed to overcome the LED problem. The box solved the problems of low resistance, fluttering tail lights and non recognition of a trailer, but my ongoing issue was about the reversing sensors, which didn't seem to have responded to the shunt as the lights had. Based on my experience today, it seems to be about the on-board computer. This hypothesis explains and more importantly solves the issue, so I'm happy. If there's another explanation I would love to hear it.
Thanks for your input anyway.

I had already read the whole thread and knew you sorted the light issue with the linear box - I was just commenting on the sensor issue probably being related to the LED/Linear box because I have not experienced it with traditional towing electrics  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!