Trailer wiring questions

Wiring Harness Conversion - U.S. to European
09/03/2009 9:53 AM

I have just moved from the US to Europe. As part of this we brought our car (a 2009 VW Tiguan) and a small boat trailer to Europe. To have the trailer registered I had to equip it with European standard tail lights with separate running lights, turn lights and stop lights. Easily done.

My problem now is how to convert the trailer hitch wiring harness and split the turn and stop lights. The local VW dealer had an easy solution: new wiring harness, cost: $2,500! It has to be an easier (cheaper) solution.

The car putlet has the US standard 7 pin configuration:

1. Turn/stop Right

2. Turn/stop Left

3. Running lights

4. Ground

5. Electric break

6. 12V

7. Spare

The trailer now has the standard European plug:

1. Turn right

2. Turn left

3. Stop lights

4. Running lights

5. Ground

6. 12V

7. Spare

A solution also has to work when both stop and one turn light is active at the same time. Any suggestions?

Hi I have one of the test lights and have verified plug on car
What I am trying to find out is how to test the plug on the trailer side

Thinking of taking cover off trailer plug then plug in and use test light direct to wires in the plug

Rich

Only 6x4 box trailer
There is an earth wire as also tow a van with electric brakes

Thanks
Rich

Also Rich sometimes you have to split the pins alittle to get a good connection or/and spray alittle wd40 .

Kev,
Thanks for the reply.
Testing the trailer plug while not connected is what I want to do. I am across the wiring layouts. I know how to test the car plug.

Do you think the following would work as well?

Pull the trailer plug apart as you mention and:

1) do a continuity test with a multimeter OR
2) plug it in to the car and then use the circuit tester by earthing it to the car and then test each pin via the uncovered wires.

It is a new trailer.

The lights are working now after I fiddled with the plugs a bit as mentioned above but has happened before and will happen again on the trailer or van so trying to be prepared.

Rich

Well done Rod>
With that he has all he needs to know.
I can't work out why some are talking Europe and USA.

Ross M

7 pin & 5 pin are not the same!
7 uses 1 & 4 for indicators, 5 pin uses 2 & 5.

As I said ''Please note in a 5 pin plug 2 and 5 are not used but the colours are the same''

Cheers

Rod....

5 pin does use 2 & 5 for indicators.

You can test the trailer by using a battery & test leads. Clip one lead to the negative terminal on the battery & the other end to the earth terminal in the plug or an earth point on the trailer, clip the other one to positive & use the other end to touch on each of the plug terminals.

Shaker,
Will give this ago.

I should be able to use the battery recharger instead of a battery (a Projecta which has a mode similar to a battery).


Richard

Thanks
Suspecting closed pins with a bit of dirt
Rich