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jwhat



Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Westmeath
Posts: 134

Ireland 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Keswick Green
12N Electrics OE vs OEM socket
My Electric socket failed during the CVRT (irish MOT) the OE part is €105 and the OEM is €61.

I was wondering if anyone knew if the bolt holes are in the same location on each?

OEM https://www.island-4x4.co.uk/electrics-nty...-7341.html

OE https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-LR005920 Tdci 110 DC
Post #728287 10th Sep 2018 2:40pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6605

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Bolt holes on tow sockets are an industry standard so yes.

Bear in mind with the non-genuine kit you need to fit each wire to the correct pin yourself. The genuine kit is a sealed/potted socket.

Assuming the fault lies with the towing socket (and not the plug/socket in the wheelarch), there is an argument that might as well just buy a replacement 12N socket and replace that alone.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #728289 10th Sep 2018 2:44pm
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kmac



Member Since: 07 Oct 2009
Location: Middlesex
Posts: 1309

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
I had to replace the socket alone as the pins got all rusted up.

Ordered genuine from main dealer and received a Hella branded socket
Post #728302 10th Sep 2018 3:57pm
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zsd-puma



Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
12N sockets are rubbish, they're always corroding or melting. The 13 pin sockets and plugs are much more reliable.

But yes you can fit either, the actual sockets can be bought for a few pounds. But the kits will come with the back of the socket sealed up with resin. Good quality OEM one will be the same as genuine - less the LR logo on the flap.

Rimmer Bros are expensive. They just charge full retail price on everything. If you get on well with your local dealer you should get it at least 10% cheaper - tell them what Rimmer's are charging and they'll probably beat it for you. Wink
Post #728306 10th Sep 2018 4:29pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6605

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
In this case the OEM is not the same as OE - check the photo of the "Britpart OEM" kit. The socket is separate from the loom and not potted/sealed to it.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #728311 10th Sep 2018 4:45pm
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gazman



Member Since: 17 Aug 2015
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 652

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Alpine White
i went to a motor factors for mine and paid about £10, then I undid each electrical connection one at a time and put it in the same place on the new one. Its been bob on for 4 yrs now 2014 - current ..... 2003 defender td5 90 (my car)
2009 - current .... 2005 zx10r
Post #728314 10th Sep 2018 5:06pm
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zsd-puma



Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Martin wrote:
In this case the OEM is not the same as OE - check the photo of the "Britpart OEM" kit. The socket is separate from the loom and not potted/sealed to it.


That's why I put the caveat in of 'good quality' OEM, Poor quality OEM stuff exists too. Someone can go along to let's say Westfalia, one of Land Rover's suppliers, and say "I want a towing kit for a Defender, what's the cheapest you can produce them for?". It's still made by the OEM but it's not made to the same spec as Land Rover specify.

You can't always rely on Britpart's or even Island 4x4's photos either, what you see in the pic may not be exactly what you receive.

Island 4x4 also being a company that illegally only show's EX-VAT prices when they retail to consumers.... but that's another issue.
Post #728324 10th Sep 2018 5:40pm
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1763

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
I'd just replace the socket, with a decent 12n, Hella branded or similar, no need to go replace the whole wiring loom.

Ideally do the extra wiring and upgrade to the 13 pin as mentioned, it is a vastly better socket design, but also needs more doing to integrate it.
Post #728422 10th Sep 2018 9:11pm
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zsd-puma



Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Quote:
Ideally do the extra wiring and upgrade to the 13 pin as mentioned, it is a vastly better socket design, but also needs more doing to integrate it.


Not necessarily, I don't know what's tested on the Irish MOT. But you can just put the existing wires into the appropriate pins on the 13 pin socket, all you may need to do is connect up the reverse light wire, but this may not be tested on the Irish MOT. You don't have to wire up the permanent live and switched live.
Post #728423 10th Sep 2018 9:26pm
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1763

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
Oh really? I was under the impression on the UK MOT at least, that if a 13pin socket was fitted it had to be fully functional. If that's not the case then my 7 pin will get chopped for a 13 sooner than planned!
Post #728424 10th Sep 2018 9:29pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20355

United Kingdom 
If you fit a cover over the socket it won't be removed, they aren't allowed to as far as I'm aware.
When I had issues, I fitted an additional Earth so that's one less issue with a shorther earth path but not something you have to do.
The back of the 12N socket I kept the LR loom but replaced th socket only and filled the back on the socket with a high quality silicone.
Pretty much encasing the conductors in it.

Never had an issue since.

Same things apples with 13pin if required.
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Post #728426 10th Sep 2018 9:42pm
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zsd-puma



Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
miker wrote:
Oh really? I was under the impression on the UK MOT at least, that if a 13pin socket was fitted it had to be fully functional. If that's not the case then my 7 pin will get chopped for a 13 sooner than planned!


For the lights, doesn't matter about the 12v bits. And the only one you wont have a wire for is the reverse light, which isn't tested anyway. It might be different for the Irish MOT though.

From the UK MOT manual;
"On vehicles fitted with a trailer 13 pin Eurosocket, use an approved device to check that the socket is wired to correctly operate the trailer:

• Position lamps
• Stop lamps
• Direction indicators
• Rear fog lamp"


Even 7 pin sockets have the visual inspection, and it's common for them to be corroded, so they can still fail the car on a corroded 7 pin socket.


Last edited by zsd-puma on 10th Sep 2018 10:05pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #728430 10th Sep 2018 9:57pm
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zsd-puma



Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
custom90steve wrote:
If you fit a cover over the socket it won't be removed, they aren't allowed to as far as I'm aware.


Not true. From the MOT manual;
"Some tow bar electrical sockets are hidden behind an access panel in the bumper or bodywork. Unless requiring the use of tools or specialist equipment, these panels must be removed to facilitate the inspection of the towbar socket."
Post #728433 10th Sep 2018 10:03pm
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jwhat



Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Westmeath
Posts: 134

Ireland 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Keswick Green
Thanks for all the replies, it didn't fail the test on the socket fortunately, It was just mentioned that it should probably be rectified at some stage. The tow bar is only used about once a year to tow a wood chipped about 5k so it's not a big deal.

I think I'll check the wiring first and then see if I need the loom or just a new cap.

Thanks for all the replies Thumbs Up Tdci 110 DC
Post #728472 11th Sep 2018 9:42am
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PaulMc



Member Since: 17 Jan 2009
Location: Kent
Posts: 501

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 110 2.5 TD HT Arles Blue
Have a look at my post, here -

https://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/91419-tow-e...ent=790345


It shows the differences between Britpart's 'OEM' kit, and a Genuine Land Rover kit.

. Paul.
1989 Arles Blue 2.5TD 110 Hardtop
1999 Epsom Green Discovery II 4.0 V8i 'XS'
Post #728510 11th Sep 2018 4:54pm
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