Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

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atr
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Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by atr »

Hi
could you tell me if this is the socket for the tow bar electrical? I'm looking to install a tow bar on my C5 and I've found this socket in a sort of "hidden compartment" on the inner left side of the luggage compartment (please be aware that it is a left hand drive vehicle). I really hope that it's this socket, if not (this is the place for a disappointed emoji), please tell me what is this socket for and more important, where I can find the actual socket.
Thanx.
Avi
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by RichardW »

Is this a MK2 or 3 car?
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Towbara and the electrical harness AND the trailer fuse box unit are separate items Avi.

2 things to consider. There are manufacturer-specific electrical kid and generic third party units. The manufacturer approved units are designed to interface with the car’s stability control system (ESP) so that it knows when you are towing and can adapt the road holding programme to take towing trainers or caravans into consideration.

There is a special trailer fuse box and relay unit available that fits into the rear left compartment on a saloon, where the plugs are there ready, the wiring harness then plugs into this unit. The trailer unit then talks to the BSI and to the ESP ECU whenever the electrics are plugged into the unit. It also provides proper fusing for the trailer lights for example.

There are several approved tow bars available depending on mcwhicle model. If you want these I can supply you with them.

Unfortunately that picture won’t help and could be anything.
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

He has an X7 Saloon Petrol (Non DT20) - OEM approved parts in my later post:-
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by Paul-R »

Saloon/sedan or estate/tourer car?
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

These are the Cirtoen Approved parts for your specific C5 Avi:
Avi Trailer Fuse Box.PNG
Avi 9428F8 Harness.PNG
Vehicle -Specific Fuse Box and Supplies, Part 9688ELElectrical Harness Part 9428F7
Avi Sockert 13 Pin.PNG
Avi 9427EA.PNG
13 Pin Socket Part 16091192809427EA Tow Bar that can be removed without tools
Avi 9427CZ.PNG
Avi 9427CY.PNG
9427CZ Tow Bar with Tow Ball that can be removed without tools9427CY Manual Retractable Tow Bar (needs Tools to Remove)
Avi 9427CX.PNG
Avi 9427CW.PNG
9427CX Swan's Neck Towing Ball9427CW Manual Retractable Towbar
Avi 9427CV.PNG
Blank
9427CV Swan's Neck Towing Ball (Removable Neck)Blank

Note: In the table, I have included the Trailer Relay Unit and the 13 pin socket separately - however if buying the electrical harness kit (9428F7) - these are BOTH included in that kit!

Electrical Harness:
  • This harness is particularly suitable for providing the lighting supply to trailers or cycle-carriers on tow bars.
  • This harness has been developed to incorporate all of the vehicle special features.
  • It also provides an electrical supply to the fog lights and reversing lights.
  • Comes with a 13-way socket to correspond to the trailer socket.
  • It incorporates all the features needed for good compatibility with this vehicle and is SAFE, RELIABLE and EASY to fit.
  • The functionality of the harness will be obtained by configuration of the BSI (fitting by the network is imperative).
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Marc
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by atr »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 28 Feb 2019, 15:56 Towbara and the electrical harness AND the trailer fuse box unit are separate items Avi.


There is a special trailer fuse box and relay unit available that fits into the rear left compartment on a saloon, where the plugs are there ready, the wiring harness then plugs into this unit. The trailer unit then talks to the BSI and to the ESP ECU whenever the electrics are plugged into the unit. It also provides proper fusing for the trailer lights for example.
Hi Marc and thanx to you and Paul.
You've wrote that there are plugs in the rear left compartment. these are exactly what I'm looking for. the towbar kit that I've ordered (haven't received it yet) includes an interface to the vehicles system that plugs into those plugs. as I've mentioned before, I've looked into the luggage compartment and removed the "cover" that allows access to the rear left tail lamp and that socket was all I've found. could you give me some hint where these plugs might by?
Avi
Last edited by myglaren on 28 Feb 2019, 19:29, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Avi - have a look at this post - Elis was looking to wire in hi amplifier on his X7 saloon and clearly shows a picture of the inside left boot area. That looks like the brown plug you are asking about and as I think I answered in that post it should be the under inflation detection unit connectors.

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=58078&start=105#p544852
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by Paul-R »

On the Tourer the connectors are definitely on the LH side but I think the Saloon might have them on the RH side so I assume that your car is an Tourer. I fitted a Westfalia tow bar and manufacturers electrics on to my Tourer last year. The electrics actually work the lights on a tow board without activating the BSI but, of course, you won't get all the clever bits like modifying the ABS and reversing sensors.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

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C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by GiveMeABreak »

He has a saloon Paul.
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by Paul-R »

Well, I did ask.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson​
atr
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by atr »

Hi
Since I wasn't able to find any connector besides the one that it's pic's I've posted and taking into consideration the difficulties to find the components that were suggested by Marc (even though I'm sure it's a better solution), I've seen that there is some "compromise solution" that called "bypass relay" that to my understanding is some sort of relays that connects to the various lights so that they won't load the ECU by connecting additional load caused by the trailer light bulbs. the draw back of this solution are at least two - they don't "talk" and tell the BSI that there is a trailer involved (I hope that in my case it's not so dramatic, since I'm not towing a caravan, only quite a small luggage trailer that is limited to 500kg - ca. 1000lbs.). the second problem is that this bypass relay needs constant supply of +12V and unless you can tell me if I can find an already existing point of +12v in the luggage compartment - a wire (fused, of course) has to be drawn from the battery to the luggage compartment. if this option was used, please share your experience with me.
Thanx.
Avi
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Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by Paul-R »

Have you looked on the opposite side (RH side) above and behind the wheel arch?
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson​
atr
Posts: 314
Joined: 09 Oct 2010, 05:02
Location: Israel
My Cars: Xantia 2.0l 16v 2001 petrol
C5 mkII 2.0l petrol sx pack 2007
C5 x7 saloon petrol 2010
x 6

Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by atr »

No. I took it for granted that it should be on the left side. I'll check it.
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C5 mkII 2.0l petrol sx pack 2007
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x 6

Re: Is it the socket / connector for the tow bar?

Post by atr »

This is what I've found on the right side. did I hit gold?
The black wire on the left of the connector is not connected. just a short wire.
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