MayFly Burner

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7-Way Trailer Wiring Harness Stopped Working on 2012 Q7

Hi All,

I have a 2012 Audi Q7. I had the Audi dealer install a 7-way wiring harness on the factory installed lead. After installing a Tekonsha Prodigy RF break controller everything worked fine (...once I discovered the trick to pair the RF controller!) for 1-1/2 years and about 8 long distance trips.

Then 2 trips ago I started to get a "Replace Back Left Trailer Light" error message. The left blinker indeed did not work. Then the next trip all the the trailer lights failed (blinkers, break, running, etc.) and the Q7 is not acknowledging that it's connected to a 7-way at all. (The auxiliary towing blinker indicators don't come on when the blinker is used.)

The Audi techs are at a loss saying they have "run all the codes", have "checked the module", "checked that the software is updated", and they even loosened the 7-Way adapter to show me that the leads to it were still attached and in good shape.

Lastly, I bought a Tekonsha 6562 7-Way Blade Tester and Trailer Emulator with LED Display and brought it down to the shop as I felt a "Are you sure it's not your trailer?" -- denial coming on.

*** Sure enough, when plugged directly into the 7-way on the Q7 the top three LED lights (marked LT, TL, & RT) flutter rapidly instead of lighting solid or responding to blinker, break, or the car being put into reverse. ***

Has anyone at heard of anything similar? Any advise on what the Audi tech's should do next?

I am looking for any leads as this has so far stumped Audi's technicians for three days.

[Oh, and I did have the trailer tested... the lights work fine with a tester that the RV mechanic had that was designed for a 7-way.]

Thanks in advance if you've ever heard a similar tale!
-Rob

DUTCH VanAtlanta

I can't respond to your problem, but I CAN assure you that the Tekonsha LED Emulator will NOT work with the Audi. Not enough load in those emulator LED's to activate the module in the Audi. Been there and done that with no cigar!

Take it to a trailer rental, hook one up and see if it works any better than your trailer.

MayFly Burner

Bringing the trailer to the Audi dealership today.

DUTCH VanAtlanta

And the result?

MayFly Burner

When I went to pick up the hitch with my Q7, and connected the 7-way everything worked fine, including:
- Break lights
- Running lights
- Both blinkers
- The voltage meter measuring power to hitch breaks vis the Tekonsha Prodigy

While not looking a gift horse on the mouth ($175 later) I don't think the Audi techs know exactly WHAT they did to fix it.

Could have been a loose connection that was seated better when they checked the car-side plug or a reset of the codes???

Who knows.

DUTCH VanAtlanta

Glad they got it fixed.