More Towbar Electic Woes

Tigi
Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
500 Comments
edited June 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

I have a recent XC60 with Volvo fitted towbar. Contrary to previous cars ATC does not activate on plug in, sometimes it will activate on opening drivers door and will always activate on starting engine. However, if when taking a break for example, engine is stopped indicator light remains green but ATC will always go through self test when engine is restarted.

Previous cars ATC came on at plug in and remained on until unplugged.

Any others with  experience with Volvo Towbar Electrics please?

Comments

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #2

    pin 9 is permanent live, 3 and 11 are earths so check without any ignition on and see if 12v is picked up with a meter, if not then they have wired it wrong and put a switched live from ignition to pin 9 instead.

    https://www.towbarandtrailercentre.com/wiring-diagrams

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited June 2019 #3

    Took car into Volvo today who say permanent live is only on when ignition is on to avoid battery drainage (yes I appreciate it sounds like a load of hogwash)  however the problem is the system comes pre-wired from Volvo or their supplier. Both my previous towcars had permanent 12v supplies from pin 9 and the ATC fired up on plugging in and remained constant until unplugging. 

    What would be helpful if anyone can confirm how their current recent Volvo is behaving I doubt if their is much difference between the models.

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited June 2019 #4

    Is your Volvo still under warranty. Irrespective of other vehicles that are wired the same it should be wired to International ISO 11446 standard for 13 pin electrics (Which requires pin nine to be permanently live), otherwise it is not fit for purpose, take it back and tell them to wire it correctly.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #5

    Sounds to me that Volvo are B... Sh....ing 🤔

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited June 2019 #6
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited June 2019 #7

    Have had some replies back via the Volvo Forum which confirm that this is how Volvo have set up their latest SPA Cars (beats me as well). The towbar won`t go live until you switch on ignition, or open a door or tailgate but there seems to be a bit of inconsistency as well but we`ll keep on regardless! 

  • Tyke
    Tyke Forum Participant Posts: 20
    edited June 2019 #8

    Does it actually matter?

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #9

    what's the point of European standards if Volvo don't/won't do the same as the rest of the industry.   

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited June 2019 #10

    Unfortunately its not just Volvo there are quite a few posts coming up with towbar electric issues.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #11

    but this is the first about not having a permanant live and from a well known vehicle manufacturer thats sell cars with towing in mind. do indipendant towbar fitters wire up the same as volvo, I bet they don't.

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
    500 Comments
    edited June 2019 #12

    Car companies are doing everything possible to lower emissions. One thing they do is reduce battery drain for non essential circuits by turning them off until they are needed. Should they do this in this application, only they know. From what has been said in posts above they seem to be turning it off and only activating it with the other comfort features, common to do this in other applications on the vehicle but questionable on what is designated a permanent feed.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #13

    The fact is, nothing is drawn voltage wise from a permanent live till something is plugged in to it that uses power so why would it flatten a battery. undecided  

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #14

    Lornalou, there is no EU standard, law or otherwise for what is connected by the manufacturer in the factory, beyond the trailer lights. Many EU car manufacturers with factory fit tow-bars do not wire up the live feed. neither My 2006 A6 or 2013 Passat with factory towbars were wired for fridge and battery.  

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited June 2019 #15

    You are correct in saying it is not an EU standard however ISO 11446 for 13 pin wiring is an international standard.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #16

    well we know from previous posts that the Germans don't like to do permenent lives from factory or dealers but most indipendants do it as a matter of course. A dedicated wiring kit give you this automatically in the loom.

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