tow bar options pls - Page 5

warwick · Oct 7th, 2019, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

Do you mean a momentary blip in the power supply as engine starts, similar to the USB power supply when charging phone and you hear the phone chime as power goes off then back on. I have never checked the ATC if that does it. It may do.
My ATC self tests after stopping and parking up for some time and restarting engine, I always check the green light is on before setting off but I can't check it at the moment as caravan is not at my house.
A few times when removing van from the storage compound I have noticed it stays flashing after connecting up but after driving a few yards and stopping to open the gate it has changed to steady green. This could be because starting the engine causes the power blip and it re-tests.

Thanks for reply, I am going to the caravan show next week and will discuss with ALKO re the ATC and possible problem from Volvo`s set up, i.e. whether the ATC will see this as an error which eventually fills up the error log. I`ll come back to this post with their reply.

warwick · Oct 21st, 2019, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick

Thanks for reply, I am going to the caravan show next week and will discuss with ALKO re the ATC and possible problem from Volvo`s set up, i.e. whether the ATC will see this as an error which eventually fills up the error log. I`ll come back to this post with their reply.

That went well ALKO were not at this years show, still can`t find any owners to confirm whether the ATC self tests each and every time the engine is restarted even if the LED is already green?

cassell · Oct 21st, 2019, 12:09

No, the Alko only self tests if the car has gone to sleep, my V90 towbar seems to stay 'awake' for several minutes after switching off and the green light remains lit.

I queried this with my dealer after fitting and they assured me that all was working correctly, however it completely threw the caravan service centre when they had my Coachman in for service. They thought at first that there was a fault with either my car or the caravan as it didn't self test when they kindly hitched it up for me!

Driver Dave · Oct 21st, 2019, 20:04

The Volvo's 12v sockets (cigar lighter type) go to "sleep" after about 10 minutes, so perhaps the towing electrics do the same. This would explain why when the car is restarted the ATC goes through it's self test.

I would think the ATC will just see this as a shutdown as if you had completed your journey and therefore will it will not be registered in the log, least I hope so and haven't seen any one with a Volvo complaining about problems with the ATC log.

warwick · Oct 22nd, 2019, 15:01

I appreciate the reference to going to sleep but in my case if I connect to car, "wake" car so the ATC self tests shows green then jump into car, start engine, ATC immediately self tests again even though the green light was on. At any point with the green light on if I stop engine and restart, ATC will re-test even within the period while the car is awake?

St Evelyn · Oct 22nd, 2019, 21:27

I'll try to test this next Tuesday as I'll be bringing the caravan home ready to head to Longleat at the weekend; will post back what I find.

warwick · Oct 23rd, 2019, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by St Evelyn

I'll try to test this next Tuesday as I'll be bringing the caravan home ready to head to Longleat at the weekend; will post back what I find.

Very much appreciated.

St Evelyn · Oct 29th, 2019, 20:12

Just got back home with the van and tested it as described - my car behaves in exactly the same way as yours, re-testing the ATC even though the car was already awake and the check light green. Don't see it as an issue personally, but it is curious.

warwick · Oct 30th, 2019, 17:22

Thanks for your confirmation of how another car is behaving, the one thing I was a little concerned with was it logged by the ATC as an error, also you can`t really re-check prior to driving off a ferry etc. I had a tow bar specialist put it on his so called diagnostic kit (board with lights) all well, including the fridge, he didn't have an answer for the re-check either. We are finding our fridge is de-frosting on the road and no heat coming from Fridge vents so will have to checkout fridge itself next. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

Oct 21st, 2019, 12:09	#43
cassell Member since 1988 Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 20:08 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Middlewich	No, the Alko only self tests if the car has gone to sleep, my V90 towbar seems to stay 'awake' for several minutes after switching off and the green light remains lit. I queried this with my dealer after fitting and they assured me that all was working correctly, however it completely threw the caravan service centre when they had my Coachman in for service. They thought at first that there was a fault with either my car or the caravan as it didn't self test when they kindly hitched it up for me! __________________ 2017 V90 D4 Inscription, Mussel Blue, Amber perforated leather and lots of technology! 1973 1800ES, Gold, Black leather and very little technology! 1969 144, California white, Red vinyl and even less technology!

Oct 21st, 2019, 20:04	#44
Driver Dave Member Last Online: Oct 7th, 2022 15:19 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Northern Scottish Highlands	The Volvo's 12v sockets (cigar lighter type) go to "sleep" after about 10 minutes, so perhaps the towing electrics do the same. This would explain why when the car is restarted the ATC goes through it's self test. I would think the ATC will just see this as a shutdown as if you had completed your journey and therefore will it will not be registered in the log, least I hope so and haven't seen any one with a Volvo complaining about problems with the ATC log. __________________ MY17 XC90 D5 Power-pulse Inscription, 5 Double Spoke alloys, Luminous Sand, Amber Leather, Linear Walnut Inlays, Winter Pack, Xenium Pack, BLIS, Dark Tinted Windows, Towbar, Mud flaps, PoleStar

Oct 22nd, 2019, 21:27	#46
St Evelyn VOC Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 19:52 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Trowbridge	I'll try to test this next Tuesday as I'll be bringing the caravan home ready to head to Longleat at the weekend; will post back what I find. __________________ Current - 2017 V90 D4 Inscription Previous - 2011 S80 D3

Oct 29th, 2019, 20:12	#48
St Evelyn VOC Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 19:52 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Trowbridge	Just got back home with the van and tested it as described - my car behaves in exactly the same way as yours, re-testing the ATC even though the car was already awake and the check light green. Don't see it as an issue personally, but it is curious. __________________ Current - 2017 V90 D4 Inscription Previous - 2011 S80 D3

Oct 22nd, 2019, 15:01	#45
warwick Junior Member Last Online: May 12th, 2021 19:53 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Winchester	I appreciate the reference to going to sleep but in my case if I connect to car, "wake" car so the ATC self tests shows green then jump into car, start engine, ATC immediately self tests again even though the green light was on. At any point with the green light on if I stop engine and restart, ATC will re-test even within the period while the car is awake?

Oct 30th, 2019, 17:22	#49
warwick Junior Member Last Online: May 12th, 2021 19:53 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Winchester	Thanks for your confirmation of how another car is behaving, the one thing I was a little concerned with was it logged by the ATC as an error, also you can`t really re-check prior to driving off a ferry etc. I had a tow bar specialist put it on his so called diagnostic kit (board with lights) all well, including the fridge, he didn't have an answer for the re-check either. We are finding our fridge is de-frosting on the road and no heat coming from Fridge vents so will have to checkout fridge itself next. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

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