Towbar Electrics

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Towbar Electrics

Post by patspiercing »

Hi,
I am about to fit a towbar to my 2012 DS3 HDi 110. The car is fitted with parking sensors, however these should not cause a problem as I can switch them off whilst towing.

Has anybody got a guide for fitting the 7 pin electrics to the car please?

Thanks
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I'm assuming in this case you're not fitting an OEM one with trailer fuse box which would handle the parking sensors and effect a special ESP programme for towing...

I'll need a VIN if you want the lighting pins - but your kit should have its own wiring instructions.
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by patspiercing »

Hi,

Thanks for your help.

I am not fitting an OEM one unless I really have to for cost reasons.

My VIN number is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Mick
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Brake Left: Pin 5 Live, Pin 3 Earth
Brake Right: Pin 3 Live, Pin 4 Earth

You'll need to visually check the following Reversing and Fog lamp pins as the manual says the fog is on the rear right and the reversing lamp is on the rear left cluster, but the wiring diagram has an error. I think as there is only one of each lamp, they are both Pin 2 on each cluster.

Reverse right hand cluster: Pin 2
Fog Left Hand Cluster: Pin 2

Indicator Left: Pin 6
Indicator Right: Pin 1

Tail Lights Left: Pin 4
Tail Lights Right: Pin 2
Last edited by GiveMeABreak on 09 Jul 2020, 11:42, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Swapped Reverse and Fog arround
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by Paul-R »

If the vehicle is LHD (Location: Cap D'Agde, France) then won't the foglamp be on the left and the reverse lamp on the right?
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

If you can, go for OEM equipment. This will (as Marc said) allow the vehicle to be 'aware' of a trailer when it is towing one, which will, to a degree, change how the car brakes and handles (as well as disabling the reversing sensors).

A word of warning; if you are towing a braked trailer try to avoid reversing with the trailer hooked up, as this can cause the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) to fail well before it normally would.
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Paul-R wrote: 09 Jul 2020, 10:58 If the vehicle is LHD (Location: Cap D'Agde, France) then won't the foglamp be on the left and the reverse lamp on the right?
The same pins are used (pin 2) on each cluster (whether reverse or fog) Paul, but as per my post, an actual check needs to be done as the wiring diagram is wrong somewhere - so he needs to make sure he is connecting the right wire to the intended lamp.

Basically, I suggest he check the whole lot as typically the diagram is not 100% - the brake / tail light is another issue that I can't determine.
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by Sloppysod »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 09 Jul 2020, 11:11 If you can, go for OEM equipment. This will (as Marc said) allow the vehicle to be 'aware' of a trailer when it is towing one, which will, to a degree, change how the car brakes and handles (as well as disabling the reversing sensors).
Thouroghly agree, if you can afford it go for the OEM wiring, especailly if you are towing anything of value.
However, the rear suspension does feel firmer when an empty trailer is attached, you feel the back end bouncing.
I carry two bikes on the back and the car feels great at motorway speeds, no sway or yaw. :-D
Note, you will need access to diagbox as the car needs to me 'told' you have fitted the new ECU.
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by patspiercing »

Hi,
Thanks for the information.
Can I just splice into the existing wires to the rear light clusters?
I only intend to be towing a small motorcycle trailer unbraked.
I have got a Lexia/ Peugeot Planet clone and so should be able to make the changes if required.
I have not fitted a towbar since I fitted one on a Citroen AX. Life was a lot easier then LOL.
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by Paul-R »

If you're going to go down the splicing route then you'll need a smart relay which takes a minute current so as not to upset the canbus.

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patspiercing
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Peugeot 307 sw 90 Hdi 2.0 2005
Honda CBR600RR 1999
Honda CBR1100XX 1998
Honda CBR400RR 1992
x 2

Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by patspiercing »

I think I will play it safe and buy a dedicated kit. At least then everything should work and it should be fairly easy to fit.
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Re: Towbar Electrics

Post by Paul-R »

A wise, if expensive, choice.
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​
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