V70 mk3 Towbar electrics
 

I've recently installed a Volvo detachable towbar with the dedicated Volvo electrics with a 13pin connector next to the hitch.

The problem I'm having is when I plug a trailer board with an adaptor for its seven pin connector nothing works on the light board. The electrics are plug and play in the car so I cannot see there being a problem there. Everything looks to be plugged in correctly.

Can anyone confirm if Volvo need to activate anything on their diagnostics? If so is there anywhere/anyone who has this software outside of the dealerr network?

My car has previously had a towbar fitted and removed by the local dealer but I find it hard to believe they would have taken the time to remove any software if it is required.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Is the adaptor working, mine has to pushed in quite firmly? I had the software update as part of a service, not sure what was involved.

Yes you must have a brand new trailer module and get the dealer to download the activation software .. You connected the orange wire to the fuse box ok? and fitted the 2 fuses and connected the white Earth wire to the chassis ??

Yes the dealer would have removed the software otherwise there would be a fault message in the dash about a missing trailer module .

I cant rule it out yet but it is brand new but it did have a nice snug twist fit when I tried it.

The towbar and electrics are used which I bought from a forum member but they do look like they've not been fitted for long so I'd be surprised if there was a fault there.

The wire to the back of the fuse box was a bit of a pain to fit but its in there nice and secure and the fuse tip sits snuggly in the connector and its also earthed to chassis. The two fuses are fitted and not burnt out.

So would I be correct in saying that with this software added and assuming everything is present and correct with the electrics, there should be life in the towboard after its been done?

Many thanks for your help.

Only by using a new Trailer Module , you can't overwrite a used one . they are reasonably priced ..

The OP purchased the towbar and TRM from me. I fully tested the TRM in my car (which already had a TRM fitted) and it worked perfectly so the TRM itself is not specifically programmed to the car. I've just tried disconnecting the green connector from my TRM which resulted in 2 errors appearing about trailer module and rear park assist. This tallies with Clan's explanation that the dealer removing the electrics must have disabled the functionality to prevent the message appearing.

Whether getting a dealer to re-apply the software to the car is sufficient to work with existing TRM I don't know, but its probably worth a try in the first instance as it sounds like it needs happen anyway. If unsuccessful, the probably new TRM (minus the loom may be the solution). Nothing seems straightforward when it comes to Volvo electrics these days :(. On the P2 models, the TRM was plug and play and only required a software update to disable the car foglight (if the driver so desired that option).

Thanks for your advice guys.

When I get chance to run it to the dealer I will report back.

Today I've spoken to two local dealers who confirmed that you cannot re write a trailer module and they can only program a virgin unit with software ordered direct from Volvo for my car.

If this is the case I don't see why they are being sold all over ebay as used.

So the long and the short is in order to get my trailer board working I need a brand new unit as no dealer will even try write a used unit.

The way this is appears to be panning out I could have had a brand new Brink detachable kit with all the wiring and a twelve month warranty for about £30 more than I will have to spend in total to get it sorted.

Orange wire in fuse box
 

Hi

I am fitting a towbar on my Volvo and are really struggling withe getting the orange wire into the fusebox. Any suggestions?

Thank you Sanders