Towing electrics kit

AndrewTi · Jul 12th, 2015, 22:37

Does anyone have any pointers on where to get a 7 pin wiring kit, suitable for a 2012 my V70?

Apparently the car has towbar preparation, whatever that is, so I'm assuming there's a module somewhere in the car that the kit plugs into?

Also, will this need enabling at a dealer, or is it just plug and play?

Thanking you!

Model flyer · Jul 13th, 2015, 10:57

Have a look on the internet . I bought a tow bar wiring kit and plug in electrics for my P2 a few years ago at a very reasonable price compared to local trailer shop . Really easy to fit .
Found this on e-bay :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Towbar-wir...item3aa2b4a16c
But probably a lot more out there.

Simon Jones · Jul 13th, 2015, 15:55

You can get kits from main dealers for quite reasonable prices & then you will typically require a software download of some description. May find that they only do 12 pin sockets these days. My 2004 XC70 came with 12 pin already installed (& that was 11 years ago) & most modern caravans, trailers & bike racks also use 12 pin now. If you are connecting up older kit then you can buy 12 to 7 pin adapters which is what I've done on mine to suit old trailer.

GrantA · Jul 13th, 2015, 20:19

As Simon has already said you may only be able to get a 12 pin wiring kit from a Volvo main dealer but it should be "plug and play" and you'll only need a software download.

If you decide to go down the route of buying an after market kit from somewhere like here http://www.towingelectrics.com and wiring it into the wiring loom yourself then you should read this Thread I started some time ago: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...wing+electrics apart from the fact I have to switch off "park assist" when I reverse with the trailer, the system works perfectly and I have not changed to the Volvo system as I said I would in the Thread above.

CTCNetwork · Jul 14th, 2015, 10:52

Hi,

Sorry to poop on the party here but isn't it a 13 pin socket?

Excuse the minion!
In any case, I think the cable and box interface kit you get from dealers is none too costly, but there is a cost applied for the software update. That software integrates the kit to the car, makes the car aware it exists and I suspect also adjusts the parking sensor ranges to suit the tow bar.

Des. . .

AndrewTi · Jul 14th, 2015, 19:55

Thanks for the help guys, quite amazed really. I phoned Volvo as suggested, they quoted £59 for the wiring loom, £33 for the module.

The parts chap was quite confident that it wouldn't need to be activated via software, apparently all that does is tell the car not to put the rear fogs on when towing and deactivate the parking sensors.

I don't have sensors and the last time I used a rear fog light, Labour were popular.

As the kids say, that went straight in my basket!

green van man · Jul 15th, 2015, 07:03

Just a thought.

I had expected the indicator repeater on the dash to indicate trailer operation seperatly to car as per my handbook. Volvo have modified the system and there is no seperate trailer indication on the dash now. Instead the rappid flashing indicator that tells you a lamp is out now covers the trailer as well as the car. It does work as I verified with a trailer board but I would prefer the old seperate system.

Paul.

Simon Jones · Jul 15th, 2015, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTCNetwork

Hi,

Sorry to poop on the party here but isn't it a 13 pin socket?

Yes, well spotted. More that 7 anyway

.

br1anuk · Jul 18th, 2015, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewTi

Thanks for the help guys, quite amazed really. I phoned Volvo as suggested, they quoted £59 for the wiring loom, £33 for the module.

The parts chap was quite confident that it wouldn't need to be activated via software, apparently all that does is tell the car not to put the rear fogs on when towing and deactivate the parking sensors.

I don't have sensors and the last time I used a rear fog light, Labour were popular.

As the kids say, that went straight in my basket!

Ask the parts guy, if it doesn’t work and needs a software update £50 can he pay for it!

Thats exactly what I was told and there was nothing from the trailer lights.

Brian.

TrueBlue · Jul 22nd, 2015, 18:28

Looky here for details:-

http://accessories.volvocars.com/en-...480821/2012/D5

and yes, 13 pin seems to be the only option nowadays. FWIW when it comes to MOT there's no test for a 7-pin system, but there is for 13 pin...
(I wonder whether a 13 to 7 pin adaptor might negate that test????

Jul 12th, 2015, 22:37	#1
AndrewTi Junior Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 17:20 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Reading	Towing electrics kit Does anyone have any pointers on where to get a 7 pin wiring kit, suitable for a 2012 my V70? Apparently the car has towbar preparation, whatever that is, so I'm assuming there's a module somewhere in the car that the kit plugs into? Also, will this need enabling at a dealer, or is it just plug and play? Thanking you!

Jul 13th, 2015, 10:57	#2
Model flyer Master Member Last Online: Dec 15th, 2023 18:46 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent,pothole capital of UK.	Have a look on the internet . I bought a tow bar wiring kit and plug in electrics for my P2 a few years ago at a very reasonable price compared to local trailer shop . Really easy to fit . Found this on e-bay :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Towbar-wir...item3aa2b4a16c But probably a lot more out there. __________________ The secret of flight is to aim at the ground and miss ! Previous Volvos 740 GLE . V40 CD ,V70 2.4 SE LPT.V70 D5 P2. V70 D5 Se Lux P3. Current Jaguar XF Sportbrake but still like Volvos

Jul 13th, 2015, 15:55	#3
Simon Jones Premier Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2022 11:23 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Salisbury (ish)	You can get kits from main dealers for quite reasonable prices & then you will typically require a software download of some description. May find that they only do 12 pin sockets these days. My 2004 XC70 came with 12 pin already installed (& that was 11 years ago) & most modern caravans, trailers & bike racks also use 12 pin now. If you are connecting up older kit then you can buy 12 to 7 pin adapters which is what I've done on mine to suit old trailer. Last edited by Simon Jones; Jul 13th, 2015 at 15:59.

Jul 13th, 2015, 20:19	#4
GrantA Master Member Last Online: May 10th, 2019 09:02 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inverness, Scotland	As Simon has already said you may only be able to get a 12 pin wiring kit from a Volvo main dealer but it should be "plug and play" and you'll only need a software download. If you decide to go down the route of buying an after market kit from somewhere like here http://www.towingelectrics.com and wiring it into the wiring loom yourself then you should read this Thread I started some time ago: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...wing+electrics apart from the fact I have to switch off "park assist" when I reverse with the trailer, the system works perfectly and I have not changed to the Volvo system as I said I would in the Thread above. __________________ 2009 XC70 Geartronic SE Lux (185HP at the moment......) Porsche sold looking for a P1800.......

Jul 14th, 2015, 19:55	#6
AndrewTi Junior Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 17:20 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Reading	Thanks for the help guys, quite amazed really. I phoned Volvo as suggested, they quoted £59 for the wiring loom, £33 for the module. The parts chap was quite confident that it wouldn't need to be activated via software, apparently all that does is tell the car not to put the rear fogs on when towing and deactivate the parking sensors. I don't have sensors and the last time I used a rear fog light, Labour were popular. As the kids say, that went straight in my basket!

Jul 15th, 2015, 07:03	#7
green van man Premier Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 09:21 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ffos y Ffin	Just a thought. I had expected the indicator repeater on the dash to indicate trailer operation seperatly to car as per my handbook. Volvo have modified the system and there is no seperate trailer indication on the dash now. Instead the rappid flashing indicator that tells you a lamp is out now covers the trailer as well as the car. It does work as I verified with a trailer board but I would prefer the old seperate system. Paul.

Jul 22nd, 2015, 18:28	#10
TrueBlue Member Last Online: Jan 27th, 2023 17:36 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West Sussex	Looky here for details:- http://accessories.volvocars.com/en-...480821/2012/D5 and yes, 13 pin seems to be the only option nowadays. FWIW when it comes to MOT there's no test for a 7-pin system, but there is for 13 pin... (I wonder whether a 13 to 7 pin adaptor might negate that test????

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