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Feasty |
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Feasty World Chat Champion
Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Karma :
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Posted: 11:52 - 13 Jun 2017 Post subject: Car tow bar question |
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I know I'm posting a car question in a bike forum, but quite frankly I see a lot more sense in this forum than the majority of car forums out there!
I bought a 4 year old Skoda last November which already had a tow bar fitted.
The tow bar is a detachable swan neck type with a 7 pin socket.
When detached the socket pushes away into the bumper and a cover is clicked into place on the bumper hiding it all.
The indicators beep when hitched up and in use, and all the lights work correctly as they should, however I don't think the car has been reprogrammed to tow as the media screen display still shows the back of the car when hooked up and the reverse sensors constantly beep. This could mean the ESC isn't programmed to adapt to towing either. Would this be a big issue?
I've towed to Scotland and back and the whole setup felt completely stable and controllable - so I don't really feel the need to splash out with money I don't have if I don't have to. Does anyone know if the reprogramming for towing actually makes a great deal of difference? ____________________ Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). |
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Tamsin |
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Tamsin World Chat Champion
Joined: 07 Mar 2014 Karma :
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Posted: 12:27 - 13 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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Reverse sensors are for losers anyway
My father has an Octavia estate (60 plate, I think) with a permanent towbar installed and it stops his reverse sensors working but he's never bothered changing it. I had the same thing on my last car (I just disconnected the beeper)
It just seems like a waste of money to me.... |
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weasley |
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weasley World Chat Champion
Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 12:53 - 13 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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I'll post the answer here that I was going to post on Briskoda.
It sounds like your towbar has been fitted with a universal wiring relay rather than the dedicated wiring loom and module. This means that the car essentially doesn't 'know' that the towbar is there - the ECU is oblivious to it. Thus it can't activate any advanced features such as parking sensor muting, trailer stability, fog light delete, bulb failure monitoring and so on. If it works then it works and so long as you know the limitations, it's fine. I fitted mine with the OEM module and had it coded by a dealer so it does all the fancy stuff (on the rare occasion I do tow).
One small thing that you might come across is that the universal modules are often fitted using Scotchloks into the car's loom. Some will tell you this will require the whole car to be rewired or set on fire. I'm not a fan of Scotchloks myself, but a bit less militant. ____________________
Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE |
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Feasty |
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Feasty World Chat Champion
Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Karma :
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Posted: 13:25 - 13 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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P. |
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P. Red Rocket
Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :
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Posted: 13:29 - 13 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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Polarbear |
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Polarbear Super Spammer
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :
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Posted: 13:34 - 13 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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Scotchlocks - spawn of the devil and the favoured connectors of the lazy and inept. They are popular because there is no need to strip back any wires, they cut through the insulation when fitting. They are oK for a wile, then the connection becomes loose and fails electrically.
I would never fit them on any of my vehicles, boats included.
https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.xsRQ_o2F6jnJjV-EiNiMoAEsEs&w=188&h=188&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.7
To find if they are fitted, just trace the wire back to to where it joins the loom. ____________________ Triumph Trophy Launch Edition |
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kgm |
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kgm World Chat Champion
Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :
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Feasty |
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Feasty World Chat Champion
Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Karma :
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Posted: 14:17 - 13 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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Oh FFS, I've seen them before - they are stupid things to use! I really hope they're not on my car or we'll have to pay a pretty penny to replace it all.
I've found a pdf on how to fit a proper kit so I'll have a rummage under the steering wheel/bonnet to see how this has been done...
____________________ Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). |
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Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 14:49 - 13 Jun 2017 Post subject: |
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How many Scotchloks have you racists collectively seen fail in practice?
I mean, considering that you never use them. ____________________ Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
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Polarbear |
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Polarbear Super Spammer
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :
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weasley |
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weasley World Chat Champion
Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 6 years, 290 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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