Towbar Wiring

[evdama]

You are both confusing me now! cratch:
Why are you running a permanent live?
If the electrics are single (12n) you are only connecting to the rear lights.
The second auxilary (12s) socket is for supplying power to a caravan (battery, fridge, etc.) and a 12v feed with fuse and special relay is needed.
If you are only towing a trailer you only need the lighting.

*Bryce had got to the stage where for some reason his setup would only function with a separate feed from the battery.
*He has not installed a fuse on this wire.
*I have suggested he does so.

[j90xxx]

Mmm.
Fuse would be a good idea!:eek:

[Bryce]

Apologies for the confusion

I bought the CIT 1321 towbar wiring kit from Citroen - as well as the towbar 12N socket and connectors to the existing lights, it includes a fog lamp cut out relay and an Electronic Control unit, red box same size as a packet of cigarettes (see picture) It is this box which states it requires a permanent live and there was one located in the wiring loom just visible in the picture. This proved impossible for me to distinguish which is why I have ended up taking a feed direct from the battery,

   

[j90xxx]

And what does the magic red box do? cratch:

[evdama]

And what does the magic red box do? cratch:

Complicates things!:woop:

[Bryce]

I have no idea - but it ticks to let the people in the rear know we're indicating, which is a nice feature!

[j90xxx]

Ah.
It's a flasher relay!
That is so that the extra indicators flash at the correct speed with the higher electrical 'load'.
By law you should have an audible or visual waning that the trailer indicators are working. So, a flashing light on the dash and/or beeping (mine), clicking (yours). The one I have is VERY loud and VERY annoying. It's cylindrical, about the size of a disposable cigarette lighter. I have wrapped it in insulation tape, copper pipe insulation, and more tape. STILL just as loud! :brickwall:

[evdama]

All this seems a lot of 'round the houses' for a genuine citroen accessory.

I scotchlok'ed my '07 directly and it worked just fine.
The two subsequent vehicles I did were with bypass relays which was still a doddle compared to this job...

[j90xxx]

Correct.
And my relay doesn't have a 12v feed.
Sounds like Citroen over-complicating things, as usual. illyme:

[Bryce]

Yep - and not very generous with the length of cable from the lights to the trailer socket - only just made it. I was pretty impressed on the actual towbar holes and fitting - there was even 2 preprepared holes at the bottom of the bumper to make it easy to cut out with a jigsaw.

I think you're right with the bulb failure - it says, 'in the event of an indicator bulb failure the bulb monitor will indicate this to the driver by changing the frequency warning lamp in the vehicle instrument panel'

I just need to attach the trailer to see if my wiring works!