Rear Hatch Lights on 2012 Audi Q5 Stopped Working After Installing a Trailer Hitch

Updated 07/16/2018 | Published 07/13/2018

Question:

We installed the 75940 on a 2012 Audi Q5. The installation went just fine after driving the vehicle a few miles a warning came up on the dash that the tail lights were not working on the hatch. All the lights work on the lower bumper, the license plate light works and the upper third brake light works also. Is there a sensor or a fuse that we need to check?

asked by: NANCY L

Expert Reply:

One of the steps when installing Draw-Tite trailer hitch # 75940 on a 2012 Audi Q5 is that you need to disconnect the electrical plug under the scuff plate in the cargo area. It is possible that the connector was not plugged back in. It could also mean that in the process of unplugging that connector and installing the hitch that a pin inside one of the sides got bent or broken.

Later in the installation you do have to unplug all of the plugs for lights and sensors so the same issue could be at one of those connectors; either it wasn't plugged back in, plugged in all the way, or something got damaged in the process.

I looked at the owner's manual online and there was nothing listed specifically for the lights on the hatch. It is possible that it is the Luggage compartment lid control module located in the right luggage compartment fuse panel in the B (Black) section of that panel, position 1. There are also several vehicle electrical system control module locations in the various panels through the vehicle. With such am ambiguous name it is possible one of those could be related.

expert reply by: Michael H