Check engine with trailer connected

[Huw Powell]

Larry Newman wrote:
> 
> Mark - Do I understand this converter to use the signal from the
> directional/brake/parking brakes to activate the relays which direct 12V
> from the battery to the appropriate trailer bulb?  And this circuitry
> doesn't convince the Audi sensors that something requiring a warning is
> happening?

if they are solid state, and I bet they are, their input impedance will
be very high, so they will draw a miniscule amount of current to trigger
- so they will not "alarm" the cars whiny little protection circuitry.

re: the $6 Walmart unit - it probably *is* the same sort of thing - but
it may only be for one circuit, eg a US/Euro brake light/turn signal
adapter.  i suspect, or at least would hope, that a $40 thing would
isolate *all* the trailer power from its triggering sources.

> 
> Larry
> 
> I would suggest a standard converter box.  They range in price from $29.
> to
> $59. and are wired up to the factory lights, but also to separate ground
> and
> +12V power.  The lights then just activate solid state relays and not
> the
> lights themselves.  Most European cars are MUCH more happy with this,
> and
> you'll see why if you look at the wire gauge size running most tail
> lights.
> 
> Mark Rosenkrantz
> AudiBiTurbo at aol.com

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/