Electrics: xc90 2010 Towbar wiring

[marali]

Hi

Have recently fitted a towbar to my 2010 xc90, it came with electrical cable (13pin) but the connectors don't look standard. So I am assuming I need more parts or connectors, I was hoping it would be plug and play. This is the connectors on the cable (see attached image), not sure what to do with them? any help would be good.


Alternatively,

Does anyone have a used or know where I can get dedicate towbar wiring without breaking the bank? I'm a novice with electrics, so I am looking for something that easy to install ( plug and go), and where I don't really need to go splicing cables etc.

I'm only towing bikes.

Thanks
Marali

[SwissXC90]

That's a non-Volvo electrical wiring loom.
You need to fit connectors, and then tap into the Volvo wiring looms, and join wires, and that's a lot of mucking around.

Save yourself the hassle and get the Volvo towbar electrics from Volvo

Similar price as non-Volvo electrics, but plug and play into your car, with no special tools needed.

And it integrates properly with the car, letting the car know a trailer is connected so that the indicator on the dash lights up, and the rear parking sensors get disabled.

A non-Volvo loom won't do that.

[marali]

@SwissXC90, called up my local dealership and asked for a quoted me £217...

Breakdown of kit needed (excl vat)
Cable/Wiring £55
Control £37
adapter (13pin to 7 pin) £28
software £15
programming (labour) £45.



Mmmm
plan B needed

[SwissXC90]

Look at the costs a bit closer:

Cable/Wiring £55 NEEDED
Control £37 NEEDED
adapter (13pin to 7 pin) £28 only needed if you have a 7 pin trailer. And these adapters are cheaper in other places, they are standard
software £15 Only needed if you want to deactivate the rear fog lamp when trailer is connected
programming (labour) £45. Only needed if you want to deactivate the rear fog lamp when trailer is connected


So the total cost is 92 GBP for wiring and control unit. Not much. Plug and play.

Compare to spending a day altering and cutting into wiring looms and doing stuff you are not familiar with and unsure about, with an end result that is not perfect.

[marali]

Thanks, I was wondering if that was possible to do without the software, and buy an aftermarket 13/7pin adapter.

I will probably go with your suggestion as I don't want the hassle of cutting cables etc.

You advise is much appreciated.

[green van man]

I baught a 13/7 pin adaptor off e bay , in fact they were so cheap I baught 4 for a fiver. 2 cars 2 caravans, one van has 13 pin plug, other 7, one car has 13 pin socket , other 7. Adaptor in each car and one in each caravan results in never being stuck not able to connect the running lights and indicators.

The volvo electrics are plug and play and I would not think of anything other than manufacturers kit with a can bus car, can of worms I don't want to open and I'm an electrician. The days of cutting into wiring looms to fit auxiliary kit are well over with ECUs and trigger signals.

Paul.

[SwissXC90]

Well said green_van_man

And plug-and-play is soooo much easier

I keep my 13p-7p adapter in my removable towbar bag that is always in the boot, so I can connect 13p or 7p trailer and always have the bits I need ready in the car.