Tow Bar Wiring without special harness

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by Moose Test

Nevertheless, it would do us all well to remember that there's a fine line between offering up our experience and opinions for the benefit of others, as opposed to browbeating them into submission with it.

Absolutely. Totally agree.

[Bits]

Just fitted the electrics and lucky I did as it looks like someone has had a towbar on the car before. They had attached the towbar wires to the existing wiring located at the back of the light unit. When they had removed the towbar wires they had left the cars original lighting wires bare.

I used the relay supplied with the towbar and it works.

[Darbyflyer]

At risk of being beaten to death with an oily rag, can anyone tell me what I may require electrically on a 2007 XC90? I have a 7 pin socket terminating in the connector that would fit to the car, but after reading this thread, I’m not sure if I would really need the dedicated 13 pin loom as I don’t know the age of the towbar or loom. I don’t intend to be splicing, dicing or soldering anything lol.

Thanks.

[Harley Dave]

Not sure exactly what you are asking Darby?

If you have a Volvo wiring loom, did it not come with instructions?

This will tell you where to plug the connector at the other end of the cable from your 7 pin socket.

IIRC, it plugs into the trailer module (which you may not have) and that in turn plugs into the fuse panel in the passenger side rear quarter area in the boot.

I think I've got install diagrams somewhere as I have fitted both 7 and 13 pin connectors (but used the same trailer unit for both - obv)

Let me have a look and I'll get back to you

If I'm barking up the wrong tree, let me know and I'll stand down

Cheers

Dave

[Harley Dave]

Found them - but they're big files so it'll have to be one at a time I think.

Cheers

Dave

[Harley Dave]

The one for the 13 pin is more than 2mb so too big to post on the forum.

Sorry

Cheers

Dave

[TruckbusUK]

Darby, be careful if using the pdf that Harley Dave posted, the install instructions refer to pre 2006 cars, the facelift versions are slightly different and so are the part numbers (trailer module, wiring harness etc.)

The jist of the install is the same and its a good reference, but the trailer module is on the NSR wheel well on a 2007MY -> XC90.

[Harley Dave]

I hadn't noticed that so thanks for the heads up TBUK

Mine is a 2011 Exec and I installed the trailer module in the space under the rear fuseboard.

The Exec has a "loose" trailer connector already in place coming from the fuseboard which made matters very easy for me and I bought the genuine kit both times from on-line Volvo dealers so the paper instructions were present too.

Anyway - it turns out every day's a school-day and I just found a place to have the .pdf file size reduced on-line for free so here's the 2012 13pin instructions

Cheers

Dave

[Harley Dave]

Here's that "Reduce your PDF" website

https://smallpdf.com/compress-pdf

and attached is the 2012 7 Pin instructions

Cheers

Dave