Trailer causes fault codes on FG XR6

[Resurrection]

This is something which occurs on a regular basis. Whenever I use my trailer, plugging in the trailer lights cause fault codes to appear on the instrument panel. Originally the fault used to be indicator related. I recently had an electrician rewire the trailer and replaced all of the electrical wires. Now I have ABS and DSC fault codes when I use my trailer. Which leads me to believe that the problem is not related to the trailer but rather the sensitivity of the Falcon's electrical circuits to any external inputs.

Has anybody had a similar experience? Are there any auto electricians who are able to explain why I am having this problem and what can be done to fix it?

Thanks in advance.

[Professor Farnsworth]

only time i had electrical weirdness when plugging in a trailer was because it wasn't keyed, and was able to plug in the wrong way which wasn't a happy situation for the car.

[RHR]

Have heard that LED lights on trailers can cause issues.

[mac_man_luke]

Id say you either have other issues or problems with your trailer.

[WPR1]

Mines perfect, haven't heard this before.

[Gobes32]

Does the trailer do this to other cars? Can you tow a different trailer and it still brings up faults? Who installed the towbar and more importantly, who wired up the trailer plug?

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Does the trailer do this to other cars? Can you tow a different trailer and it still brings up faults? Who installed the towbar and more importantly, who wired up the trailer plug?

Useful debugging questions ..

My wife tows an antiquated horse-float with our F6 XR6 ute at least once a week .. never had an issue with the electronics.

[mik]

Doubt it is sensitivity, something is wrong.

[Jim Goose]

Have you checked the actual wiring on the trailer plug on the car?

[Gobes32]

The only reason I ask is that when I wired up a new female flat plug on my EL Fairmont, I did not do a good job of it and it threw up ABS faults, smart lock fault and blew my indicator fuses constantly. I found out later on that my indicator wire was touching the bodywork of the car, causing it to short every time I put the indicator on with a trailer plugged in.

[Matt5933]

I had a similar experience with my BF XR6 I noticed when towing my jet ski (LED trailer lights) every time I hit the brakes the head lights would turn turn on and the headlight warning (you've left them on when the car is off) chime would start even though the car was running and driving. Fiddled with it for a while and found that the plug (on the trailer) was at fault. Basically pulled the plug apart cut off the existing exposed wire and rewired the plug and chucked heaps of WD40 in it and haven't had any issues for about 6 months. Hope this helps.

[olds]

Common problem Fords crap electric/computer system . I had a mate buy a Mazda BT50 over a Ranger cause the the guy at the boat dealer where he bought his 90 k boat said that he would have nothing but trouble with the ford wiring

[mik]

Originally Posted by olds

Common problem Fords crap electric/computer system . I had a mate buy a Mazda BT50 over a Ranger cause the the guy at the boat dealer where he bought his 90 k boat said that he would have nothing but trouble with the ford wiring

that has`nt been my experience bud, NEVER had one electrical electrical issue in 7 year`s of my current (scuse the pun) henry, actually if you look at the quality of wiring ford versus some other respected brands you might be surprised how good it is.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by olds

Common problem Fords crap electric/computer system . I had a mate buy a Mazda BT50 over a Ranger cause the the guy at the boat dealer where he bought his 90 k boat said that he would have nothing but trouble with the ford wiring

So a Mazda likely built on the same line with the same development as the Ford won't??

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

So a Mazda likely built on the same line with the same development as the Ford won't??

I was of the belief they are both built at the Ford-Mazda partnership plant in Thailand. They even roll down the same production line.

[olds]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

I was of the belief they are both built at the Ford-Mazda partnership plant in Thailand. They even roll down the same production line.

Different wiring / computer system apparently

[Dave R]

Are either of the plugs corroded or damaged in any way? I had a corroded plug (on the car's end) cause DSC and ABS faults without even needing a trailer plugged into it.

[pursuit57]

Adrenaline is most prob spot on.
Yes Ford's elect system may have a reputation of hiccups & prob's when the car socket or trailer/van wiring looms or fittings are not maintained.
But so would Mazda, Holden and most others...you need to find the cause of prob first.
Over last 12 months for friends I have replaced that many plugs/sockets and fixup corroded wiring from moisture, not saying this is your fix but a good place to start.
When you get it all good use a little WD40 on connections.

[fpvgeetee]

hi mate see my thread below, i installed aftermarket led tail lights on my car & the dsc light came on happened about an hour ago?? same issue?? i hope so & its not major!!!:

http://fordforums.com.au/showthread....20#post4525520

[vanman_75]

Ps ...dont use wd40 on any wiring its corrosive by nature .lubricant only short term until you can use proper lube ...basically a tin full of tihs ...oh and I agree check trailer and plug wiring ..dodgy lecky not dodgy car .

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by vanman_75

Ps ...dont use wd40 on any wiring its corrosive by nature .lubricant only short term until you can use proper lube ...basically a tin full of tihs ...oh and I agree check trailer and plug wiring ..dodgy lecky not dodgy car .

wd40 is a water dispersant so used on wet electrical connections it can help conductivity.

[vanman_75]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

wd40 is a water dispersant so used on wet electrical connections it can help conductivity.

All good mate just better products then wd about ...you get what you pay for .
I don't use it near anything mechanical..good for lubing your front door hinges is its limit

[foxtrot3]

Originally Posted by vanman_75

All good mate just better products then wd about ...you get what you pay for .
I don't use it near anything mechanical..good for lubing your front door hinges is its limit

Hi. works well on back door hinges too. Cheers MD

[purnong]

I agree with the bad plug/wiring scenario
When they wired my FG it was done with scotchlocks and I absolutely loathe the bloody things
I'd be checking the socket wiring first and if all good go looking for scotchlocks
Bloody things have no place in a modern car

[want-a-XY]

had the same problem with my g6e. turns out that it was a faulty brake sensor

[buddy92]

I had this. Until I found out with mine you can plug it in "upside down" even though it's not. It goes in the plug 2 ways but only the "right way up" works.