ltc

An interesting observation.
I left the Cayenne connected to the trailer tonight, as I have to be on the road early with my son for karting (one less thing to do in the morning).
Anyways, out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw something flashing. Turn and look, nothing. Figured it's just me, it's been a long day.

Eventually, I saw that the brake/directional lights (4 total, 2 one each side of my trailer) flash briefly every 3.2 seconds (had the stopwatch from the trailer). Each light is a 16 LED assembly, and it's only the 2 inner lights on each light flashing. None of the other lights (reverse or running lights....my trailer has more LED lighting than the XMAS tree) are doing this, at least not that I can see.

I'm guessing it is the Cayenne's trailer control module doing it's 'check trailer lights' diagnostic routine every 3.2 seconds. It is probably the same reason that a Tekonsha Prodigy controller doesn't like the brake controller wiring, these diagnostic pulses confuse the unit.
I don't think it should be a battery drain problem overnight, but I don't think I would leave my trailer connected for a long time until I fully understood exactly what it's doing.

W406 can't come soon enough. I got a 'check trailer lights' everytime I released the brake pedal all the way to and from the track. This vehicle may not be around much longer......

mudman2

Lewis

Might be something else. the brake lights run on a seperate circuit and the flashing on the prodigy is a higher freqency, of the order of about 100hz.

Have you checked if your running lights go out when you hit the brake ?

Mike

ltc

Mike,
I don't have a Prodigy, just an old fashioned analog brake controller.
I was merely speculating that the factory towing controller polls the lights every 3.2 seconds (most likely a low duty cycle pulse looking for a specific current draw, thus inferring the open/short status of the lights.)

It appears to be a marginal design, as different loads (LED vs incandescent, # of lights, etc) would cause problems with the diagnostics. This seems to be backed up by previous posts/experiences.
This is most likely why every time I hit the brake pedal, I get the dash warning, as the LED lights draw insufficient/marginal current draw to register as a normal bulb load.
I've checked all my lights, in all modes, and they're fine.

Hopefully, this will be fixed by the W406 shop visit, TBD.

mudman2

hmmm. may be, the dealer told me that in Europe mostly LEDS are used hence the limited output. Hopefully all will be ficed by the recall.

paver

I have a 2013 Toureg/trailex 8045 that does the same thing. When plugged into the Trailex, the trailer brake lights, turn signals, etc. all work as they should. When no brakes or turn signals or headlights are on, two LEDS in each of the trailer marker lights flash pretty much like that described in the opening post.
Anybody?

skl

a voice from the past????? OMG!!!!

paver

I get the feeling that there is a lot of history here regarding trailer lights...that I know almost nothing about but I figured some of it would bubble back up. Apologies since my vehicle is not even a P!G. I guess it's an econo-P!G.

Frank 993 C4S

THIS should be interesting...

ltc

911SLOW

grohgreg

Trailer lighting error messages with my 2013 Cayenne as well. In addition, towing seems to interfere with the LCA. I don't doubt they're related. I have a warranty service appointment on the 20th, this is on the list.

//reg//

ltc

Memo to the Admin

I consider this thread to be a deliberate attempt at entrapment and naked harassment.

On behalf of Larry's corpse, estate and widow (hmmn, perhaps not necessarily in that order), I will NOT be held responsible for any past, present and future actions against all responsible parties.

Seriously, do you really want me "to go back there" ?

paver

Don't go back. Sounds like I'm lucky that the trailer brake lights and turn signal lights actually do what they are supposed to do so, I can live with some flashing LED's. How about this one which is much higher priority: Does anyone sell a brake controller harness for the P!G and TReg? Surely Porsche and VW have figured out they could sell plenty of these at some wildly inflated price.

ltc

Answer: Installing Trailer Brakes:
QTY: PARTS:
2 000979228
1 1J0972782
1 Brake Controller

Get the first two items from a Volkswagon Dealer; Porsche
does not carry the connectors or wires. You can get
the controller from your local trailer store or online from
ETRAILER.COM.

First, remove under tray panel under dash on driver side.
Find 20 torx in center of panel and remove it.

Drop panel down and look for a 4 prong square connector on left side of dash, hanging off of main harness. Might be wrapped with grey foam.

Install the ends of the wires 0009799228
in the 4 slots in the connector, part number 1J0972782.

CONNECTOR IN CAR: WIRE COLOR:

TERMINAL 1: BROWN
TERMINAL 2: RED Check fuse box right
F19, make sure it has a 30 AMP fuse in it.
TERMINAL 3: BLACK/ RED
TERMINAL 4: BLUE

WIRING TO CONTROLLER:

TERMINAL 1: GROUND
TERMINAL 2: B+ POWER ALL THE TIME
TERMINAL 3: STOP LIGHT
TERMINAL 4: TRAILER BRAKE

ltc

And in related news, a local Porsche dealer discovered the body of a member of an online Porsche forum, bound in racer's tape and beaten to death with a pair of Maglites, stuffed into the rear passenger side cargo compartment of a 2004 Cayenne S.

Local police and prosecutors know the identity of the assailant, but have refused to press charges, claiming it was obviously in self defense.