Forum:
a couple of queeries ive a 94 ind fourtrak and last year replaced towing electric socket just putting it the same as the old one piggy bag onto wires under bumper, been fine till now when using lights everything was flashing like a xmas tree which ive traced to a bad earth conection and all ok now but there has always been a very slight flash on the lights when using indicators nothing bad just a little hint of a current bothering them if u get my meaning,was wondering could this be the relay for to boost up when towing? and if so where exactly is it ive no flashing light under dash as described in earlier posts which means i'm towing illegally too so would like to find proper one before i buy a audio one to fit on to it, also if the booster aint working could this be draining my battery we dont tow very far approx 40 mile and we disconect elec's as soon as we get to horse show and alls ok till maybe the day or 2days after when sometimes out of the ordinary the jeep is hard to start or even wont start till battery has had a 12hr charge then ok till we tow again. had battery checked at garage and its ok.hope you make sence of all this i work 10 day trips at sea incase you dont hear from me, hope you can point me in the correct direction of relay and what i'm exactly looking for thanks again bill
Charging
The Fourtrak does not come with a booster relay, firstly you need to ascertain whether the vehicle came with a manufacturer fitted towbar, or an aftermarket towbar.
Manufacturer fitted towing equipment is simply plugged into the existing wiring loom, by splitting the existing plugs, and plugging the electrical wiring for the towbar into them.
Most towbars are the aftermarket type as the manufacturer supplied and fitted units were so expensive, these are usually connected into the wiring loom by scotchlock connectors. Check where these are fitted and undo one of them, where the cable insulation is split see if the copper cable has gone black, this is corrosion, it causes high resistance and your problems. Check the cable under the vehicle for signs of damage or chafing, particularly where it passes through metal sections, other damage is usually where the cable is flattened when the vehicle has bottomed out when used off road.
You do not need a visual light for your indicators, an audible system is perfectly legal, these are simply wired in to the existing loom, and are available for around £5.
thanks that'll save me lying
thanks that'll save me lying upside down in foot well looking for somin that doesnt excist.i must have read an old post wrong about the extra set of rear lights being ok to fit because of this relay. i replaced most of the wiring before so they arnt corroded the prob i had was i'd scotch locked the slightly heavier earth to a lighter one making the scotch lock not connect properly on one side, using hind sight i should have connected new tow plug lead to wiring loom inside boot but i'll leave as it is for now.what i dont get is how this runs the battery down as we tow in day light usually so only the odd indicator and brake light is all we use.i did connect a audio unit but it didnt work thought it was the way the fourtraks were earthed so gave up but maybe it was just a dud is there anyway i can check it works before fitting.cheers again bill
Scotchlocks the bain of my life
Would suggest you remove all the scotchlocks and replace the wiring connectors with multi plugs similar to those used by vehicle manufacturers. Vehicle Wiring Products do a range of these cheaply, they also do a waterproof range, which i use exclusively on tow bars and other external or exposed wiring. Since using these i have had no reoccurence of any problems on any vehicles upon which i have worked (too many to mention).