V50 Towbar electrics

[Teilo1979]

Quick question for the people with a towbar. What kits did you use for your electrics.
I,ve been told not to go with a universal kit and to use the Volvo kit and control unit. Obviously Volvo parts and a trip to the dealer to get it coded is a very expensive option.
Are the aftermarket kits really that bad and cause issues?

Any advice or recommend kits would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Terry.

[Sasha94]

When I installed the towbar on my XC70 I bought a Volvo specific wiring loom from an online supplier, basically plug and play with no coding needed (on that car, don’t quote me on a V50 as I don’t know if they need coding but it’s a fair chance they don’t) as it was £120 for the loom and it meant it was still cheaper for me to do it myself rather than pay a fitter to wire a universal loom and it was a good supplier with an after sales team to fall back on if the loom didn’t work properly rather than risk a fitter doing a poor job. The fitting of the bar is really easy, 14 Torx screws to take the bumper off and then I think 4 bolts for the bumper bar then refit.

[Teilo1979]

Thanks Sasha.

My understanding is there is control module that needs fitting in the boot behind the osr panel. Then the loom simply plugs in there. The coding apparently needs done to tell the car to communicate with it.

My head tells me to do it properly, as I hate buying cheap and buying twice.
It just appears so disproportionate in price in doing so.

Terry.

[kenny]

Originally Posted by Teilo1979

Obviously Volvo parts and a trip to the dealer to get it coded is a very expensive option.

They are generally not to bad for the wiring kits and as the old saying goes, do it right do it once.

[Whyman]

+ 1 for the Volvo system hacking into the canbus lighting system is fraught with problems.

From previous posts by others I think that the software update does things like switching off the rear fogs antelling the traction control when a trailer is attached.

If neither of these bother you then the lights should work straight out it the box.

[BJB]

When I bought my S/H towbar V50 (06), it came with a RightConnections kit. Just plugged it straight into existing wiring plugs, fitted the relay (fuse 14 ???) Job done, no programming.. Very easy, but not cheap though.

[Teilo1979]

Originally Posted by BJB

When I bought my S/H towbar V50 (06), it came with a RightConnections kit. Just plugged it straight into existing wiring plugs, fitted the relay (fuse 14 ???) Job done, no programming.. Very easy, but not cheap though.

Thanks for that, I'm going to have a good look at custom aftermarket and the Volvo kit. It'll be a plug and play I go for, there's no way I'm cutting into anything to do it cheaply.

[red baron]

I'm currently in the same spot myself, I'm going down the powered relay route myself as I don't feel like paying for a wiring loom. The powered relay breaks into the existing loom so the car doesnt need 'told' to work the towbar

[Teilo1979]

Originally Posted by red baron

I'm currently in the same spot myself, I'm going down the powered relay route myself as I don't feel like paying for a wiring loom. The powered relay breaks into the existing loom so the car doesnt need 'told' to work the towbar

I've managed to find a Volvo module and wiring from a Volvo parts supplier for £130. Pretty reasonable I thought. The only thing I can't get confirmed is if it needs a trip to dealer for a software update. Some say it only needs the update to setup the bulb failure warning and auto fog light and parking sensor deactivation. Others say it needs coded to work at all. Even my local dealer wasn't sure they just said it needs it.

[imjohnson]

I've fitted 2 of these now. Both needed the software update to make the lights work properly.