Trailer lights not working!

[PROJUMPER]

I have a ML280 with a factory fit tow bar which has 13 pin socket, with the use of an adaptor I have been using my small trailer.... I replaced the trailer yesterday with a new one, the new trailer has LED lights and a 13 pin plug.. The lights on the trailer don't work!
I have fitted a 13 to 7 socket on the car and a 13 to 7 on the trailer lead, still not working! has anyone else had this problem, if yes, how did you cure it?

 

[Flyinspanner]

It may be the LED lights presenting the wrong impedance (ohms) for the car to ‘recognise’ it, or it could be a wiring fault on the trailer.

Ask trailer manufacturer tech support?
They may send you a pin out and values to test for?

 

[PROJUMPER]

It may be the LED lights presenting the wrong impedance (ohms) for the car to ‘recognise’ it, or it could be a wiring fault on the trailer.

Ask trailer manufacturer tech support?
They may send you a pin out and values to test for?

Thank you for your reply, I assume its the impedance which is causing the problem, as the trailer lights work perfectly on my Defender!

 

[Flyinspanner]

Maybe see if MB have a unit to plug in to make it compatible (£££) or contact a local Towbar/caravan dealer to ask if they have a solution and cost quote.
Don’t know where you are, but you could try

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/

of you are anywhere near Heathrow

https://www.oakfarmleisure.co.uk/

 

[Mark A]

It will almost certainly be the LED’s that are the issue. I refurbished my trailer and put LED’s on, nothing worked, you can mess about putting resistors in o get things to work but I ended up going back to standard bulbs.

I suspect your defender is fine because it doesn’t have systems to check and report on bulb failures etc..

 

[EmilysDad]

This seems to have been a recurring problem when some caravan manufactures started fitting led tail lights. Some were sorted by adding a box of electrickery to the caravan but it seems that caravan manufactures tended to go back to standard lights.

 

[ajlsl600]

I say f the led .keep it simple,everytime we add some kind of tech its sommat else to go wrong and sommat else to pay for ,again!
I am all for any tech that I can fit and forget,my experience,just as I forget,as warranty expires it seems I must think about it again. Where ever possible today I avoid that..