jonrev

Just a quickie update for anyone interested. Mailed Towingelectrics and got a reply that it's quite usual for the unit to pull in a relay when first switched on as it initialises and this then drops out and the unit goes into it's standby mode. I mailed back pointing out that on the two I've tried the relay pulls in and stays pulled in (I left them connected for a couple of minutes to make sure they didn't settle down) and did they think I had two faulty units. That was three days ago and I haven't heard anything more from them.

Hi, Thanks for that. The unit has a 'towingelectrics.com' manufacturers name and I've mailed them to ask for the specs of the unit. Will post when they reply.

Thank you that's excellent. Was hoping it would be something 'silly' rather than expensive. Been used to less complicated cars. Just sold my trusty and simple old Transit to get this Seat as I needed a tow-car for our recently acquired caravan. Guess simple cars just aren't available any more so it's a case of plugging in a computer, reading off the fault codes and buying expensive spares to swap out only to find it was something daft needing tightening all along. About the only bit of technology I really couldn't imagine being without now is this PC and it's connection to the net. Sites like this and the helpful guys who offer their knowledge really are invaluable. Thank you all. PS I'll let you know what I find as soon as I get the chance.

Hi, Wonder if anyone can help. Bought this Alhambra 1998 TDI a few weeks ago. Was told it had just had fuel filter changed to rectify a fault and that there was air in the system still as it hesitated occasionally when the tank got low on fuel. Sure enough on the drive home I felt it hold back sharply a couple of times and the glo-plug light started to flash. Filled the tank and cancelled the fault light (vag com) no more problems for the last 250 miles. Yesterday with the tank nearing half full the glo-plug light on the dash started to flash and the car started to hesitate again. Vag com reports '00542 Needle lift sensor- implausible signal- intermittent'. So is it likely the needle lift sensor is faulty or is there some fuel related problem which is causing the sensor to show up as faulty? Could air in the system be causing all this bearing in mind that it only occurred when the tank was half fullish. Or has anyone any other suggestions. Any help would be gratefully received. Thanks

Just wanted to know if anyone who'd fitted a TEB7A/S bypass relay had noticed the current it draws when not in use. Fitted mine up as per instructions (nicely soldered connections) and noticed a loudish click when I fitted the fuse. A relay inside the unit was obviously pulling in. "Oh bother" I thought and checked all the wiring- all seemed OK. Checked the outputs from the relay to the towbar socket and none were live so the relay didn't seem to be switching any circuits. One by one I disconnected all the wires to the unit till just live feed and earth were still connected and still it pulled in when I connected the fuse. I tested the current it was drawing and it was around 14 milliamps. All I'd read about these bypass relays said quiescent current was less than one milliamp. At this point I emailed Towequip the supplier. Got a phone call back from them very quickly but they were not able to say whether this was normal for one of these units or not. Eventually offered to send me a replacement in case my one was faulty. This duly arrived and I tested it only to find exactly the same happened. So OK a decent car battery should handle a constant 14 milliamp drain for a longish while so probably wouldn't cause problems even if the car was left standing for a week or two but:- If the battery was a bit dodgy and the weather a bit cold it certainly wouldn't help. Also it means there's a relay inside the unit that's pulled in 24/7 doing nothing but using battery power and getting hot- Why? It doesn't make sense. My solution is now to fit a switch in the live feed from the battery and try to remember to switch it off when I'm not towing. Not as per the wiring instructions but I'll feel better! Maybe I'll change to an ignition switched live at some stage but would be interested if anyone else has noticed a similar 'feature' with their unit. PS. Much praise for Towequip. Admitted they were not electronic engineers and just sold and fitted the units they were supplied but were very quick to deal with my enquiry and extremely helpful.

Just wanted to know if anyone who'd fitted a TEB7A/S bypass relay had noticed the current it draws when not in use. Fitted mine up as per instructions (nicely soldered connections) and noticed a loudish click when I fitted the fuse. A relay inside the unit was obviously pulling in. "Oh bother" I thought and checked all the wiring- all seemed OK. Checked the outputs from the relay to the towbar socket and none were live so the relay didn't seem to be switching any circuits. One by one I disconnected all the wires to the unit till just live feed and earth were still connected and still it pulled in when I connected the fuse. I tested the current it was drawing and it was around 14 milliamps. All I'd read about these bypass relays said quiescent current was less than one milliamp. At this point I emailed Towequip the supplier. Got a phone call back from them very quickly but they were not able to say whether this was normal for one of these units or not. Eventually offered to send me a replacement in case my one was faulty. This duly arrived and I tested it only to find exactly the same happened. So OK a decent car battery should handle a constant 14 milliamp drain for a longish while so probably wouldn't cause problems even if the car was left standing for a week or two but:- If the battery was a bit dodgy and the weather a bit cold it certainly wouldn't help. Also it means there's a relay inside the unit that's pulled in 24/7 doing nothing but using battery power and getting hot- Why? It doesn't make sense. My solution is now to fit a switch in the live feed from the battery and try to remember to switch it off when I'm not towing. Not as per the wiring instructions but I'll feel better! Maybe I'll change to an ignition switched live at some stage but would be interested if anyone else has noticed a similar 'feature' with their unit. PS. Much praise for Towequip. Admitted they were not electronic engineers and just sold and fitted the units they were supplied but were very quick to deal with my enquiry and extremely helpful.