[biodieselandon]

Hey guys,

Last night I installed a Curt Trailer Hitch reciever on my 2001 E320 4Matic Wagon. The installation was a breeze and it looks amazing...

However, I also installed a trailer lighting coverter from the same company. That installation was also a breeze and extremely fun. After testing it out today, it is not so fun. First of all I am getting 12 volts to all 3 of the poles on the connector even with the car off and all of the lights switched off. Then, when I started it today my BAS and ABS warning lights came on. Nothing is shorted to ground and all of the lights on the car are just fine. Has anyone else had this issue? Is it just a quirky Mercedes electronic issue that is just a coincidence? If anyone has questions about my installation and wiring please let me know. I am a low voltage electrician so it was all pretty straight forward... Doesn't mean I completely understand how the BAS and ABS systems would be effected.

Thank you,
Landon

 

[biodieselandon]

UPDATE

Just a little update... I pulled the fuse for the trailer lighting converter on the positive battery terminal and reset my warning lights using the steering wheel turning procedure. At least I know there isn't a major malfunction, but I would still like to solve this issue so I can use my trailer lights!

 

[tirona]

what's your battery voltage?

 

[Kajtek1]

what kind of converter you have?
one that just convert the separate brake and blinker signal into one, or is it the one with independent power source.
I am not much of electrician, but I knew that installing converter without independent power source on Mercedes with electronic bulb controls is asking for troubles.
To date I installed converters on 5 Mercedes and all worked flawlessly .

 

[biodieselandon]

I am reading about 11.5 VDC by the time it gets to the trailer connector.

The converter is using it's own power source from the battery and monitoring each vehicle lighting function. It is converting the vehicle's 4 wire system to the trailer's 3 wire system. The brake light input just energizes both turn signal outputs to the trailer. (These are all things it is supposed to do).

Since it is just reading whether or not the vehicle lights are on it adds no extra load to the car's lighting system.

I should also add that the converter is NOT working properly. It is feeding a constant 12 Volts to all 3 of the trailer wires at all times.

 

[Kajtek1]

So you build up the power supply that reads 11.5 v at the converter?
Something wasn't done right. Also make sure this is not ghost voltage at trailer connectors. Make a tester with 20W bulb.

 

[biodieselandon]

The power I am reading should be switched directly from the battery. I have a light tester and a volt meter. Everything was hooked up properly. I am waiting on tech support to call back because I still think it is an issue with the converter.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using AutoGuide App

 

[biodieselandon]

I talked to tech support and they said it is normal to read 12 volts on all 3 poles. I am assuming it has to do with the fact that the converter is solid state and uses triacs. Everything works great and the malfunctions haven't come back. If anyone has any questions about the hitch installation or wiring or even pictures of what it looks like let me know.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using AutoGuide App

 

[Kajtek1]

told you about ghost voltage

 

[bpolits]

ABS Blues

Hi guys,

I have the same problem as the OP did on my lighting kit for the Curt hitch, same car except 2000 model, and so far, all I have is the ABS warning.

All seems to work fine with the lights except for the ABS warning, which has my wife freaked out.

Any ideas on how to clear the ABS fault?

Thanks,

Bill

Hey guys,

Last night I installed a Curt Trailer Hitch reciever on my 2001 E320 4Matic Wagon. The installation was a breeze and it looks amazing...

However, I also installed a trailer lighting coverter from the same company. That installation was also a breeze and extremely fun. After testing it out today, it is not so fun. First of all I am getting 12 volts to all 3 of the poles on the connector even with the car off and all of the lights switched off. Then, when I started it today my BAS and ABS warning lights came on.