tow bar electrics

Talk about the 406's electrical system, what wires do what, how to add extra functionality, etc.

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briangoo
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tow bar electrics

Post by briangoo »

hi all ive just been buying a tow bar but so i'm told some cars have to be wired through relays or some expensive ways or pieces of kit needed & not just straight into the loom has any1 any ideas or experience of this on a 51 plate hdi lx model ????????????
thanx in advance :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:
2.0hdi lx 51 plate 90bhp chassis no.VF38BRHYF81371125
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lozz
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Re: tow bar electrics

Post by lozz »

My old vreg, had relays,

there was 2 iirc, one made ableeping noise for the indicators, when trailor attached,
one was wired into the lighting circuit,

There was a site somewhere on the net, with Tow-bar wiring diagrams, carnt rember which site it was on tho, :(
omega
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Re: tow bar electrics

Post by omega »

iam not sure on hdis but on the mk1s you can just scotch lock them in as i have done this a few times.i have just but a towbar on a 2007mondeo and that was a nightmare.the bar was easy but you have to get a special wireing kit for the electrics because they are looped and if you draw extra current the car dosnt like it.ford want about £146 pounds for the ki[and even if you fit this kit you sometimes have to take them to ford to be reprogramed]t but i found a special relay kit for 20 pounds that seams to work find.
if you look up towsure you can find wiring diagrams.
grasmere59
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Re: tow bar electrics

Post by grasmere59 »

My 2003 hdi doesn't seem to have any relays and it looks like the wires are just scotchlocked in as the 406 doesn't have the technology for sensing when a tail light or brake light etc is out and display it on the mfd which is when you run into problems with cars that have when fitting towbars/electrics,you will however need a bypass relay if you intend to put twin sockets on as the grey socket charges the battery in a caravan and runs the fridge while on the go and needs a relay to switch this function on.Remember that towbars will soon be part of the MOT test at some point and if fitted will have to be wired correctly and include a warning buzzer for the indicators i think.
2011 "11" Mondeo TXS est 200ps in Grey
2003 "53" 110 hdi Executive Estate in Diablo Red
2001 "51" BMW 530i sport in Black
2012 "62" Yamaha XT1200
1974 "M" Honda CB500/4
1994 "M" Kawasaki Zephyr 1100
1998 "S" Honda XRV 750
piglet
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Re: tow bar electrics

Post by piglet »

I did my 2003 Hdi estate the old fashioned way, no problems.
If you are handy with a soldering iron you can do better that Scotchlocs by pushing the individual contacts out of the connectors, wrapping and soldering then replacing. I had nothing but trouble with Scotchlocs on the 405.

I did read that some models had multiplexing so I contacted the tech dept. at Towsure, he didn't know what multiplexing was and was no use whatsoeve.

Note, don't fall into the trap I did and route the cable through the big grommet on RH side. The rear light cabling comes in from the left!
2003 estate Hdi90 Siemens Fully pimped (roofrack&towbar)
conchurl
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Re: tow bar electrics

Post by conchurl »

piglet wrote: Note, don't fall into the trap I did and route the cable through the big grommet on RH side. The rear light cabling comes in from the left!

where did you bring the wiring in? did you drill a new hole? can you tell me what wires are what in the car wiring loom for the lights it a 406 2.0 hdi 110 year 2000 i have.
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