Reversing sensors and towbars

[TheBrad]

G'day. Recently purchased a 2009 VE wagon from a car yard. Was told it had reversing sensors. They don't work. Took it back, was told that because it has a factory fitted towbar, holden disconnect the sensors because the wiring is needed for the trailer plug socket, therefore I can't claim warranty as thete is nothing they can do about it. Anyone had a similar experience?

 

[krusing]

BS,

I am guessing its wasn't a Holden Dealer !

When it has a Factory Fitted Towbar with a OEM Loom, The Reversing Sensors should still work with no plug inserted into the Trailer Socket.

The OEM Loom incorporating the 7 PIN Flat Socket [assuming its a 7 PIN Flat Socket],
It has a Reed Switch in the Socket body, and the Cover has the Magnet on it,

So when you open the Socket, and plug the trailer in, the Reed switch would go open circuit, and disable the Reversing Sensors when placed in Reverse.

When you unplug the Trailer Plug and the cover closes,
it would re-activate the Reserving Sensors when you place the Car in Reverse.

As per image -
Rectangle area is where the Reedswitch is located,
Round area is the Magnet.

 

[krusing]

In actual fact,
The Car in Unroadworthy !
If an item/option is Fitted to a Vehicle, and is not operational, and being Reversing Sensors are a Safety Device,
it is classed as Unroadworthy.

Not sure of your requirements in SA, but in Victoria, they are fairly strict on safety devices.

 

[Asmodai78]

what a load of crap, Ive got a sportwagon with a factory fitted towbar and my reverse sensors work perfectly, go get a roadworthy and take it back and demand they fix it

 

[TheBrad]

Having inspected the towbar/plug socket, I don't believe it is a factory fitted item. 7 pin flat socket, but no magnets or evidence of missing magnets.

 

[TheBrad]

BS,

I am guessing its wasn't a Holden Dealer !

When it has a Factory Fitted Towbar with a OEM Loom, The Reversing Sensors should still work with no plug inserted into the Trailer Socket.

The OEM Loom incorporating the 7 PIN Flat Socket [assuming its a 7 PIN Flat Socket],
It has a Reed Switch in the Socket body, and the Cover has the Magnet on it,

So when you open the Socket, and plug the trailer in, the Reed switch would go open circuit, and disable the Reversing Sensors when placed in Reverse.

When you unplug the Trailer Plug and the cover closes,
it would re-activate the Reserving Sensors when you place the Car in Reverse.

As per image -
Rectangle area is where the Reedswitch is located,
Round area is the Magnet.

 

[TheBrad]

On closer onspection, the trailer socket does have the small black rectangular magnet inside the cover.

 

[lout]

some people balked at the price of the towing module
and it appears all factory except they have an aftermarket tow module
some of which do not have reverse sensor circuitry

 

[krusing]

On closer onspection, the trailer socket does have the small black rectangular magnet inside the cover.

To test the Magnet to see it is still magnetised,
get hold of something metallic [screw/nut] and see if its magnetised.
If so, I am guessing the reedswitch wiring has not been installed correctly.

 

[Smitty]

G'day. Recently purchased a 2009 VE wagon from a car yard. Was told it had reversing sensors. They don't work. Took it back, was told that because it has a factory fitted towbar, holden disconnect the sensors because the wiring is needed for the trailer plug socket, therefore I can't claim warranty as thete is nothing they can do about it. Anyone had a similar experience?

I call BS... I had 3 VE SS or SSv wagons all new ...
all had tow bars, all had reverse sensors and cameras
all worked after the towbar was fitted

there was, I say this from memory, an option on the computer
to say a tow bar and harness had been fitted so the sensors did
not 'false' when you connected a trailer and plugged the harness in