Exterior LED Running Lights Flashing

[RMNummi]

I’m getting a rhythmic micro-flash on all my 2014 AS23D running lights when hooked up to TV (Curt Echo) The flash isn’t full strength, it’s more like a weak pulse firing 1 or 2 leds in each array. It’s like steady flash of an airplane NAV light. Not noticeable in bright sunlight. Definitely looks like an electrical leak. Only occurs when running lights off. The effect is kinda cool and goes away when lights come on. Any ideas? Is my AS haunted?

[GCinSC2]

RMNummi,

Ghost Buster time.

Only happens when Echo is installed, correct. Is this a new install or an old install that just recently started flashing?

SWAG time. Does the Curt Echo send a brake circuit test signal periodically? Just a hello brakes are you still there and it uses this momentary electrical load test to verify brakes connected. If not found it signals check brake light. Is this test pulse the source and has somehow (SWAG) ghost connected and triggering pulsing.

Any recent repairs to 7 way cable or anything near it in AS?

Call Curt tech support, explain to them.

Early Sat AM ideas, not a diagnosis.

Gary

[RMNummi]

Yep happens only w Echo plugged in. When strait through functions as normal.

[mojo]

What are you towing with?

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

RMNummi,

Does the Curt Echo send a brake circuit test signal periodically? Just a hello brakes are you still there and it uses this momentary electrical load test to verify brakes connected. If not found it signals check brake light. Is this test pulse the source and has somehow (SWAG) ghost connected and triggering pulsing.

Early Sat AM ideas, not a diagnosis.

Gary

Probably the issue, many brake controllers activate the brake lights when they activate the brakes so probably a "handshake" test of brake connection.

[Boom]

RMNummi,

I went through a similar haunting with my renovation. It also only occurred when the running-lights were off. When they were on everything functioned correctly. Long of it is that I had my Electrical Engineer Father-in-law come over and help. We ended up putting a 100 ohm 10 watt resistor on the running light circuit at the 7way connection box in the trailer. Turns out this is a common issue since LEDs require so little power to operate. The slightest amount will make them light up. The fix is using a resistor that draws a small load on the running-lights when they are not on. The 100 ohm 10 watt is a commonly used resistor for automotive led "situations".

-Boom

[RMNummi]

That sounds great… if I had someone that was electro saavy. Me, not so much. Towing w a Mercedes GL63… I agree it sure seems only to occur when lights are off….it’s not bright at all, just a faint pulsing every 2-3 seconds.

[GCinSC2]

Call Curt tech support.

[mojo]

There is a pigtail connector that you place in between the umbilical cord and the TV that will solve the problem. I just happen to have one if you are interested, PM me. Used to use when I towed with a V10 diesel Touareg.

[CMHM]

Hey there. I tow with a Mercedes G550 and had the same issues. It is normal according to Curt, some European cars send a sort of test signal. There is a Curt adapter for some German cars that you can get.

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Curt/C57003.html

By the way this only happened to me on the old Curt Echo. The new model (with the rubber tie around it) stopped doing that.

[RMNummi]

Thanks! Just ordered the adapter. Curt confirmed Mercedes has trailer light sensor that “pings” the lights periodically.

[LilPeanut]

Darn, I was hoping for evidence of ghosts..