XC90 wiring kit

Ron_XC90 · Feb 21st, 2008, 22:32

Hi all,

I want to fit a towbar to my XC90, my 2008.

I like the Westfalia detacheable towbar as it is almost invisible when not in use, and it has a higher vertical load limit than most others. I will mainly be using the towbar to fit a Thule bike-rack (7-pin plug)

I have fitted quite a few towbars before on different cars; on later cars I have always spent that bit extra and purchased a car specific wiring loom. especially when I had cars with bulb failure systems.

For the XC90 there are 2 different wiring looms ; MY up till 2004 and 2004 and newer.
The kit for the later MY seems to come with an additional "box" asuming for the CAN bus of the car (difference in price nearly £75).
They then mention that after fitting the loom (13-pin socket), the towbar needs to be "programmed" by the dealer.

My questions are:
- What exactly needs to be programmed by the dealer?
- If I only use it as standard 7-pin (13 pin converted to 7 via adapter plug/cable), do I still need to have this programmed?

Many thanks in advance for your advise

AdamskiC70 · Feb 22nd, 2008, 00:24

The trailer module needs to be programed to the car with software then everything can work including lights

Paddler Ed · Feb 22nd, 2008, 19:00

The nose weight for the car is determined by the car manufacturer, rather than the towbar manufacturer, so it's not going to make too much of a difference who you go for.

If you're looking at towing AND using the bike rack then don't forget to add the bikes to the noseweight of what ever you're towing.

Brink (IIRC) are the same as the ones that are branded Volvo

Clan · Feb 22nd, 2008, 19:11

The software is to turn off the car's fog light when the trailer is plugged in , it is called " Fog Light Application " ... The trailer module will work ok otherwise .

Paddler Ed · Feb 23rd, 2008, 18:38

Which Clan didn't mention is a brilliant trick when towing something that is white as it prevents the glare back into your mirrors

Ron_XC90 · Feb 24th, 2008, 21:11

Thx!
I will really only be using it for a bike-rack, with maybe a few times a Year a very small trailer for trips to the tip.
The wife hates caravan's with a passion, so don't think we'll be towing anything like that

I can always get the garage to program the fog-lite with the next service.

I had a quick look Yesterday and fitting the towbar looks a doddle; It looks much easier than any other car I've fitted one so far. Mounting points are very easy accessible; just need to find the connector for the electrics somewhere...
I'll be ordering the towbar this week, probably fit it coming weekend.

Feb 21st, 2008, 22:32	#1
Ron_XC90 Master Member Last Online: May 19th, 2014 11:33 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Redditch View Photos By: Ron_XC90	XC90 wiring kit Hi all, I want to fit a towbar to my XC90, my 2008. I like the Westfalia detacheable towbar as it is almost invisible when not in use, and it has a higher vertical load limit than most others. I will mainly be using the towbar to fit a Thule bike-rack (7-pin plug) I have fitted quite a few towbars before on different cars; on later cars I have always spent that bit extra and purchased a car specific wiring loom. especially when I had cars with bulb failure systems. For the XC90 there are 2 different wiring looms ; MY up till 2004 and 2004 and newer. The kit for the later MY seems to come with an additional "box" asuming for the CAN bus of the car (difference in price nearly £75). They then mention that after fitting the loom (13-pin socket), the towbar needs to be "programmed" by the dealer. My questions are: - What exactly needs to be programmed by the dealer? - If I only use it as standard 7-pin (13 pin converted to 7 via adapter plug/cable), do I still need to have this programmed? Many thanks in advance for your advise

Feb 22nd, 2008, 19:00	#3
Paddler Ed Volvo Driver Born 'n bred Last Online: Dec 10th, 2015 09:59 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Armidale, NSW, Australia... home of rust free 240's!	The nose weight for the car is determined by the car manufacturer, rather than the towbar manufacturer, so it's not going to make too much of a difference who you go for. If you're looking at towing AND using the bike rack then don't forget to add the bikes to the noseweight of what ever you're towing. Brink (IIRC) are the same as the ones that are branded Volvo __________________ '00 V70 Classic, 2.4 (170) 225,000 miles, none since March 2010 but it still runs! <S>'94 854 SE (Australian Spec) 190,000km</S> Sold <S>'86 Toyota Landcruiser FJ73, 138,000km </S> Sold after 15,000km of memories '05 BMW 320d E46 Touring.GF's car

Feb 22nd, 2008, 19:11	#4
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:32 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	The software is to turn off the car's fog light when the trailer is plugged in , it is called " Fog Light Application " ... The trailer module will work ok otherwise . __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Feb 23rd, 2008, 18:38	#5
Paddler Ed Volvo Driver Born 'n bred Last Online: Dec 10th, 2015 09:59 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Armidale, NSW, Australia... home of rust free 240's!	Which Clan didn't mention is a brilliant trick when towing something that is white as it prevents the glare back into your mirrors __________________ '00 V70 Classic, 2.4 (170) 225,000 miles, none since March 2010 but it still runs! <S>'94 854 SE (Australian Spec) 190,000km</S> Sold <S>'86 Toyota Landcruiser FJ73, 138,000km </S> Sold after 15,000km of memories '05 BMW 320d E46 Touring.GF's car

Feb 22nd, 2008, 00:24	#2
AdamskiC70 Junior Member Last Online: Mar 3rd, 2008 19:48 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: southampton	The trailer module needs to be programed to the car with software then everything can work including lights

Feb 24th, 2008, 21:11	#6
Ron_XC90 Master Member Last Online: May 19th, 2014 11:33 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Redditch View Photos By: Ron_XC90	Thx! I will really only be using it for a bike-rack, with maybe a few times a Year a very small trailer for trips to the tip. The wife hates caravan's with a passion, so don't think we'll be towing anything like that I can always get the garage to program the fog-lite with the next service. I had a quick look Yesterday and fitting the towbar looks a doddle; It looks much easier than any other car I've fitted one so far. Mounting points are very easy accessible; just need to find the connector for the electrics somewhere... I'll be ordering the towbar this week, probably fit it coming weekend.

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