Relay for towbar electrics

[serenitycamper]

Hope you guys can clear up a little problem I have.

I have front, side and rear indicators and a towbar, therefore I have 8x 21w lamps to fire and I know there's a stock vw relay to do it 211 953 231 K, but where on earth do you get them from?

Basically my lights are so dim you just can't see them and the flash rate is wrong due to the load.

Thanks in advance
Rich

[bigherb]

The original relay should work the trailer lights but without a trailer warning light. You may actually have another problem that is overloading the relay.

211 953 231K was superseded by 431 953 231 available from VW Heritage or Durite make an equivalent 0-744-62

[ghost123uk]

and the flash rate is wrong due to the load.

I thought that relay's flash rate was electronically controlled and therefore not load sensitive ? And as bigherb says, being a relay, the loads you're using should not affect brightness. Just for comparison, I used my tow bar, just the once, and with no extra relays all the indicators worked fine.

[Oldiebut goodie]

If it is only when the trailer lights are connected it is most probably suspect wiring - usually bad earth as it is carried on a single wire from the van. Corrosion in the trailer light fittings is common also, causing this.

[serenitycamper]

On the relay it clearly states 12V 2 (4)x21W and the part number is 111 953 227 D
On the relay recommended for a van with roof indicators i.e. 8 21 watt lamps its states 3+1 (8)x21W 12V and the part number is 211 953 231 K but it appears to be obsolete.

I'm going to try the 431 953 231 as its a direct replacement for the previous relay but the one i have has three pins and the newer one has 4. I'l report back with my findings.

Theres nothing electronic about this relay!

I'll check all the earths out now and see what happens next!

Thanks guys

[marlinowner]

You can check if the problem is caused by faulty wiring in the trailer, or due to overloading the relay, by seeing what happens with the trailer bulbs removed.

[serenitycamper]

It's exactly the same with or without trailer connected.

[marlinowner]

Is it the same indicating left or right? Does having sidelights or brakelights on make any difference?

[serenitycamper]

It's the same either side or with hazards. If you put the brakes on they dim when indicators flash.

[serenitycamper]

Well I cleaned the earth point in the engine compartment and it's made no difference whatsoever. Any ideas?

E D I T : And i mean no difference when the trailer is disconnected. The lights are still dim.

[marlinowner]

Might be worth unplugging the rearlight clusters and seeing what happens to the indicators at the front, trying things to isolate the problem by a process of elimination.