Citroen C5 Mk1 (2004) Towbar Electrics

[frenchcarnut]

Hello everyone, happy Citroen motoring?

Anyway, got myself (and already fitted) a towbar from a scrappy for my C5 and just sorting the electrics. This is just for runs down to the local tip with a small trailer!!

All came with 7-lead PCT Automotive Towing Interface (ZR1328B). I'm quite comfortable splicing into harness etc and the scrappy was considerate enough to cut the part of the wiring loom where the control input socket wires are attached thus making life a lot easier but wondering where everyone would suggest the main power comes in from?

I've found a suitable earth from a body connection underneath the left rear light cluster, but can't quite work out from where I should take the permanent (15Amp fused) +12V supply.

The unit is similar to this one (pdf file)

[oneday]

hi did mine earlier on this year i took the power direct from the battery with an inline 15amp fuse. i ran the cable under the brake pipe covers and behind the n/s wheel arch cover and through an already inplace gromet just behind where you have the earth.

[frenchcarnut]

hi did mine earlier on this year i took the power direct from the battery with an inline 15amp fuse. i ran the cable under the brake pipe covers and behind the n/s wheel arch cover and through an already inplace gromet just behind where you have the earth.

That's great thanks. You're right, it's just trailer work and we don't need to worry about something being exposed and that can be easily replaced.

For anyone else out there, here's a great youtube vid I found on doing almost exactly what I'm embarking on:



PS - thanks to admins for quickly reinstating my login after changing to a slightly new email address (spam control)

[frenchcarnut]

Okay, so the wiring numbers and colours are different on the 2002 host/scrap vehicle than my 2004 :/

Anyone know where we can get the individual wire numbers and associated function? I can trace about 4 of them but the other three are a little trickier

[Bandit12]

Hi, If it is any help my C5 had a towbar plus all wiring done professionally before I bought the car. Helpful point is that I was given the wiring diagrams used along with loads of other paperwork. I can photocopy and post or simply scan and email you a copy this evening if you wish?

Bandit

[frenchcarnut]

Hi, If it is any help my C5 had a towbar plus all wiring done professionally before I bought the car. Helpful point is that I was given the wiring diagrams used along with loads of other paperwork. I can photocopy and post or simply scan and email you a copy this evening if you wish?

Bandit

Sorry for the delay Bandit, I was working all day on this yesterday and didn't even have time to log in to see your kind offer. And that's really is kind of you, THANK YOU. I come on here and get all this help. Sometimes wonder if I deserve it!!

In the end, I did manage to work out the wiring numbers. What had happened was that on my car, the numbers printed on most wires had stretched - probably a manufacturing issue, and with a bit of interpretation I was able to sort it.

I'm now at the stage where I have to wire in the 15A supply line from the battery, set out the earthing, connect and then commission. Hopefully all will be well at that point.

I will post some images of what I did over the weekend to aid others if that's any use.

Bandit, I'm sure they will be really useful and might help me over the weekend if the commissioning fails? I'll PM you with my email address. Can't thank you enough

[frenchcarnut]

Out of interest, does anyone know the recommended torque settings for the average Citroen towbar?

I'd have expected M12 bolts but surprisingly Citroen design in for M10s

So torque for M10 (high tensile) 8.8 bolts

[oneday]

on the instructions i got with mine a genuine citroen tow bar all it says is make sure all bolts are tight

[frenchcarnut]

on the instructions i got with mine a genuine citroen tow bar all it says is make sure all bolts are tight

Fair enough.

[JohnD]

[quote="frenchcarnut"]Out of interest, does anyone know the recommended torque settings for the average Citroen towbar?

The bar I fitted to my C5 was a Witter bar. The torque settings that came with it are:-
M8.................... 27Nm
M10................... 53Nm
M12................... 95Nm
M12 (10.9)........... 139Nm
M14................... 150Nm
M16................... 214Nm

And as others have said, the 12volt supply was taken directly from the battery and put into the underfloor conduit.

[frenchcarnut]

Out of interest, does anyone know the recommended torque settings for the average Citroen towbar?

The bar I fitted to my C5 was a Witter bar. The torque settings that came with it are:-
M8.................... 27Nm
M10................... 53Nm

And as others have said, the 12volt supply was taken directly from the battery and put into the underfloor conduit.

That's brilliant, thank you. Almost done with this now, all tested and successful. Just have to make the supply permanent today so just have to find the brake pipe/underfloor conduit everyone's talking about.

A route under the plastic loom covering on the inside is easy until you get to the front bulkhead

[JohnD]

A route under the plastic loom covering on the inside is easy until you get to the front bulkhead

Mine goes down the back of the engine. Under the cover on the driver's side. Out and up over the fuel tank. In the car through the big grommet under the seat then behind the panel and into the o/s cubby box where the two relays are housed.

[frenchcarnut]

Thanks to everyone for their advice etc. What's the best way of putting pictures up to show what I did?

Hopefully useful to others. They are 800x600 and too big for uploading here

[myglaren]

Thanks to everyone for their advice etc. What's the best way of putting pictures up to show what I did?

Hopefully useful to others. They are 800x600 and too big for uploading here

Sign up for a photo-hosting site and post on here from there.

andmcit has posted a set of simple instructions here.
Due to recent changes to some of the hosting sites - Photobucket and Flickr! being the worst examples and ones I used extensively previously, I have adopted Ben82's suggestion of Imgur. On uploading there is a control to resize according to where and how you want your image to appear - I usually upload full size and post a thumbnail.

[frenchcarnut]

Thanks to everyone for their advice etc. What's the best way of putting pictures up to show what I did?

Hopefully useful to others. They are 800x600 and too big for uploading here

Sign up for a photo-hosting site and post on here from there.

andmcit has posted a set of simple instructions here.
Due to recent changes to some of the hosting sites - Photobucket and Flickr! being the worst examples and ones I used extensively previously, I have adopted Ben82's suggestion of Imgur. On uploading there is a control to resize according to where and how you want your image to appear - I usually upload full size and post a thumbnail.

Thanks mate. Thought there might be an alternative for here, but do understand that space is money