Re programming a car after fitting CAN bus tow bar electrics.

[Michael Chare]

I have fitted tow bar electrics to my VW car. The electrics include a
box which is connect to the CAN bus.

To work properly the car has to be re-programmed. A local VW garage
said this would take an hour, based on recent past experience. Even a
place which specialised in this work said it would take half an hour.

Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just be
a five minute job clicking a few screens.


--
Michael Chare

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[Andy Burns]

Michael Chare wrote:

> Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just be
> a five minute job clicking a few screens.

Have an ask on vwaf.co.uk if anyone near you has a VCDS cable, of course
you need to let them know exactly what model of box has been fitted to
what make, model and year of car ... as an example ...

<http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Trailer_Hitch_Retrofitting_(4L)>

[Andy Burns]

Andy Burns wrote:

> of course you need to let them know exactly what model of box has
> been fitted to what make, model and year of car

List of cars known to the software

<http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Retrofitting#Trailer_Hitch_Retrofitting>

[dennis@home]

On 07/08/2017 20:20, Michael Chare wrote:
> I have fitted tow bar electrics to my VW car. The electrics include a
> box which is connect to the CAN bus.
>
> To work properly the car has to be re-programmed. A local VW garage
> said this would take an hour, based on recent past experience. Even a
> place which specialised in this work said it would take half an hour.
>
> Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just be
> a five minute job clicking a few screens.
>
>

I fitted the Vauxhaul one and it worked without reprogramming the car.
It was also cheaper than the after market ones from witter and the likes.

[Michael Chare]

I am beginning to think taking the car to pfjones in Manchester who sold
me the Westfalia electrics might not be such a bad idea.

Not only would I need a tool to do the job I would also need to know
exactly what to do. It does not appear to be obvious.

All the previous vehicles I have owned have been much easier to deal
with when it comes to fitting tow bar electrics. The last VW car was the
easiest. I just removed the plug from the rear light cluster and plugged
it into the tow bar electrics harness, then put a plug from the harness
into the light cluster socket. Same both sides, found a location for
some small box and connected the socket itself.

[Andy Burns]

Michael Chare wrote:

> I am beginning to think taking the car to pfjones in Manchester who sold
> me the Westfalia electrics might not be such a bad idea.

What's the car? Is the "box" an OEM part or 3rd party?

[Michael Chare]

The car is a VW Passat B8 and the box is made by Westfalia who also make
diagnostic equipment.

[bm]

"Michael Chare" <mUNDERS...@chareDO.Torg.uk> wrote in message
news:omah0t$238$1...@dont-email.me...

> On 07/08/2017 20:27, Andy Burns wrote:
>> Michael Chare wrote:
>>
>>> Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just be
>>> a five minute job clicking a few screens.
>>
>> Have an ask on vwaf.co.uk if anyone near you has a VCDS cable, of course
>> you need to let them know exactly what model of box has been fitted to
>> what make, model and year of car ... as an example ...
>>
>> <http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Trailer_Hitch_Retrofitting_(4L)>
>
> I am beginning to think taking the car to pfjones in Manchester who sold
> me the Westfalia electrics might not be such a bad idea.
>
> Not only would I need a tool to do the job I would also need to know
> exactly what to do. It does not appear to be obvious.
>
> All the previous vehicles I have owned have been much easier to deal with
> when it comes to fitting tow bar electrics. The last VW car was the
> easiest. I just removed the plug from the rear light cluster and plugged
> it into the tow bar electrics harness, then put a plug from the harness
> into the light cluster socket. Same both sides, found a location for some
> small box and connected the socket itself.

Sadly it's called progress aka a terrific way to make money.

[Michael Chare]

I am sure you are right. The car should recognise the tow bar electrics
and adapt itself accordingly.

[Rod Speed]

"Michael Chare" <mUNDERS...@chareDO.Torg.uk> wrote in message

news:omae9u$olv$1...@dont-email.me...

> I have fitted tow bar electrics to my VW car. The electrics include a box
> which is connect to the CAN bus.
>
> To work properly the car has to be re-programmed. A local VW garage said
> this would take an hour, based on recent past experience. Even a place
> which specialised in this work said it would take half an hour.
>
> Why on earth does it take so long?

Because its fucked by design.

> I was thinking that it would just be a five minute job clicking a few
> screens.

I was considering getting another VW sometime. Wont be doing that now.

[Rod Speed]

"Michael Chare" <mUNDERS...@chareDO.Torg.uk> wrote in message

news:omalmv$h9b$1...@dont-email.me...

> On 07/08/2017 21:12, Andy Burns wrote:
>> Michael Chare wrote:
>>
>>> I am beginning to think taking the car to pfjones in Manchester who sold
>>> me the Westfalia electrics might not be such a bad idea.
>>
>> What's the car? Is the "box" an OEM part or 3rd party?
>
> The car is a VW Passat B8 and the box is made by Westfalia who also make
> diagnostic equipment.

Likely that’s the problem, you chose not to use what VW makes for that.

[Rod Speed]

"Michael Chare" <mUNDERS...@chareDO.Torg.uk> wrote in message

news:omao8a$rrq$2...@dont-email.me...

It likely does if you use the VW one.

[Bill]

In message <omah0t$238$1...@dont-email.me>, Michael Chare
<mUNDERS...@chareDO.Torg.uk> writes

>I am beginning to think taking the car to pfjones in Manchester who
>sold me the Westfalia electrics might not be such a bad idea.

All I know is that when looking for the s/h car I just bought, I read up
about towbar electrics, felt increasingly alarmed and walked away from
cars with no towbars already fitted.

It's a can (bus?) of worms. I was advised to tell my insurance company
that my previous Jeep came with a towbar. The young lady looked it up,
said "That's odd" and told me the premium would be reduced.
--
Bill

[Halmyre]

On Monday, August 7, 2017 at 9:06:49 PM UTC+1, Michael Chare wrote:
> On 07/08/2017 20:27, Andy Burns wrote:
> > Michael Chare wrote:
> >
> >> Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just be
> >> a five minute job clicking a few screens.
> >
> > Have an ask on vwaf.co.uk if anyone near you has a VCDS cable, of course
> > you need to let them know exactly what model of box has been fitted to
> > what make, model and year of car ... as an example ...
> >
> > <http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Trailer_Hitch_Retrofitting_(4L)>
>
> I am beginning to think taking the car to pfjones in Manchester who sold
> me the Westfalia electrics might not be such a bad idea.
>
> Not only would I need a tool to do the job I would also need to know
> exactly what to do. It does not appear to be obvious.
>
> All the previous vehicles I have owned have been much easier to deal
> with when it comes to fitting tow bar electrics. The last VW car was the
> easiest. I just removed the plug from the rear light cluster and plugged
> it into the tow bar electrics harness, then put a plug from the harness
> into the light cluster socket. Same both sides, found a location for
> some small box and connected the socket itself.
>

I fitted generic relays (road lights and fridge/battery charger) to my Passat B6, expecting all sorts of complaints from the CANBUS system, or problems with the electronic handbrake, but I seem to have got away with it, the B6 possibly being less sophisticated than the B8. I'm certainly not going to let the local dealer charge me £50 for the privilege.

[Andy Burns]

Michael Chare wrote:

> The car is a VW Passat B8 and the box is made by Westfalia who also make
> diagnostic equipment.

I'd be tempted to let a Westfalia dealer do the coding then, they may
charge you for an hour, but I expect it's about 2 minutes work for
anyone with the kit

<https://www.westfalia-automotive.com/uk/products/wiring-kits/wiring-kit-coding/>

[Brian Gaff]

Probably reading the manual takes the time... grin.
Brian

--
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"Michael Chare" <mUNDERS...@chareDO.Torg.uk> wrote in message

news:omae9u$olv$1...@dont-email.me...

[Michael Chare]

I have arranged to take it to them. They did say half an hour £50 inc vat.

[Chris Bartram]

On 07/08/2017 20:20, Michael Chare wrote:

> I have fitted tow bar electrics to my VW car. The electrics include a
> box which is connect to the CAN bus.
>
> To work properly the car has to be re-programmed. A local VW garage
> said this would take an hour, based on recent past experience. Even a
> place which specialised in this work said it would take half an hour.
>
> Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just be
> a five minute job clicking a few screens.
>
>

It doesn't. I've done it for someone. About 15 Min, including booting
the laptop and looking up the coding.

Go to one of the VW forums, find a list of owners of VCDS
(http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/index.html) and ask one of them.

If you're anywhere near West Mids, I'll do it.

[Chris Bartram]

>>>
>>> Sadly it's called progress aka a terrific way to make money.

No, it's a better way to connect electrics than scotchlocking into
existing circuits.

>>>
>> I am sure you are right. The car should recognise the tow bar
>> electrics and adapt itself accordingly.
>
> It likely does if you use the VW one.

It doesn't. CAN is not plug and play.

[Chris Bartram]

There's a good chance that Westfalia are the OEM for VW. They certainly
make many of the OE towbars.

[Rod Speed]

"Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message
news:ombp0p$9jc$1...@dont-email.me...

It certainly can be if its designed in in the
first place for the trailer to be optional and
automatically recognised when its added.

[Chris Bartram]

On 07/08/2017 23:28, Bill wrote:
> In message <omah0t$238$1...@dont-email.me>, Michael Chare
> <mUNDERS...@chareDO.Torg.uk> writes
>> I am beginning to think taking the car to pfjones in Manchester who
>> sold me the Westfalia electrics might not be such a bad idea.
>
> All I know is that when looking for the s/h car I just bought, I read up
> about towbar electrics, felt increasingly alarmed and walked away from
> cars with no towbars already fitted.
>
> It's a can (bus?) of worms.

It really isn't. It's just a question of telling the CAN gateway that
there's a new node connected for the towbar electrics. Compared to the
messes I've seen where people bodge in traditional towbar electrics it's
much, much better.

> I was advised to tell my insurance company
> that my previous Jeep came with a towbar. The young lady looked it up,
> said "That's odd" and told me the premium would be reduced.

Yes, apparently so.

[Chris Bartram]

Yes, but it isn't designed that way and never was. What part of "CAN is
not plug and play" was hard to understand? It's a very simple protocol.

[Robert]

On 07/08/2017 20:20, Michael Chare wrote:

> I have fitted tow bar electrics to my VW car. The electrics include a
> box which is connect to the CAN bus.
>
> To work properly the car has to be re-programmed. A local VW garage
> said this would take an hour, based on recent past experience. Even a
> place which specialised in this work said it would take half an hour.
>
> Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just be
> a five minute job clicking a few screens.
>
>

The coding alters things like:
Parking sensors display
Car Alarm - unplugging lighting board will trigger alarm if set.
ESP - changes settings for towing.
May change rear Foglight or Reversing light on car if one fitted to
Towing Board.

[Harry Bloomfield]

After serious thinking Chris Bartram wrote :

My BMW system does recognise trailer electrics as soon as installed and
can (as you would expect) realise when a trailer is, or is not plugged
in.

[Harry Bloomfield]

dennis@home has brought this to us :

> I fitted the Vauxhaul one and it worked without reprogramming the car.
> It was also cheaper than the after market ones from witter and the likes.

It maybe depends on the complexity. My BMW version is quite
sophisticated. It constantly checks every trailer lamp and identifies
on a text/graphics display, any which fail, disables the fog lights on
the car and the reversing sensors and I understand modifies the road
holding slightly. The reverse sensors are also supposed to allow for
the extra few inches which the tow ball sticks out beyond the rear
bumper.

[Rod Speed]

"Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message

news:ombqq8$ebd$2...@dont-email.me...

> On 08/08/2017 08:55, Rod Speed wrote:
>>
>>
>> "Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message
>> news:ombp0p$9jc$1...@dont-email.me...
>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sadly it's called progress aka a terrific way to make money.
>>>
>>> No, it's a better way to connect electrics than scotchlocking into
>>> existing circuits.
>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> I am sure you are right. The car should recognise the tow bar
>>>>> electrics and adapt itself accordingly.
>>>>
>>>> It likely does if you use the VW one.
>>
>>> It doesn't. CAN is not plug and play.
>>
>> It certainly can be if its designed in in the
>> first place for the trailer to be optional and
>> automatically recognised when its added.

> Yes, but it isn't designed that way and never was.

But clearly should be with a decent design.

> What part of "CAN is not plug and play" was hard to understand? It's a
> very simple protocol.

Irrelevant to what is perfectly possible to do when
its completely trivial to have the computer recognise
that that accessory has been plugged in and reconfigure
doing what you currently have to do manually.

[bm]

"Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message

news:ombqq8$ebd$2...@dont-email.me...

A 'simple' money spinner.
Try paying for an intermittent cpu problem.
We've changed this, we've changed that, we're waiting for a part etc.
Grease monkeys, computer diags and canbus? Yea, right.

[dennis@home]

Mine did so it can be plug and play.

[Brian Reay]

On 08/08/17 11:44, bm wrote:
> "Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message
> news:ombqq8$ebd$2...@dont-email.me...
>> On 08/08/2017 08:55, Rod Speed wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> "Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message
>>> news:ombp0p$9jc$1...@dont-email.me...
>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sadly it's called progress aka a terrific way to make money.
>>>>
>>>> No, it's a better way to connect electrics than scotchlocking into
>>>> existing circuits.
>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I am sure you are right. The car should recognise the tow bar
>>>>>> electrics and adapt itself accordingly.
>>>>>
>>>>> It likely does if you use the VW one.
>>>
>>>> It doesn't. CAN is not plug and play.
>>>
>>> It certainly can be if its designed in in the
>>> first place for the trailer to be optional and
>>> automatically recognised when its added.
>> Yes, but it isn't designed that way and never was. What part of "CAN is
>> not plug and play" was hard to understand? It's a very simple protocol.
>
> A 'simple' money spinner.
> Try paying for an intermittent cpu problem.
> We've changed this, we've changed that, we're waiting for a part etc.
> Grease monkeys, computer diags and canbus? Yea, right.
>
>

Another option for CANBUS vehicles is one of the 'relay'units (note the
quotes) which isolate the towing electrics from the vehicle.

They detect when, for example, the rear lights are on and turn on the
towing lights.

They don't interfere with the main vehicle.

I fitted one to my CANBUS vehicle and it worked fine.

[dennis@home]

The vauxhall one I fitted looked identical to some of the after market
ones but it was half the price and worked without any programming to be
done.

I have full computer monitoring of the trailer lights, etc.

IIRC it cost me £85 less trade, it was so easy to fit that guy who did
the towbar didn't charge me.

[dennis@home]

Yep, does all that except I don't have any sensors other than the mark
one eyeballs.

[Chris Bartram]

CAN itself isn't. I'd guess that your car (and Harry's) probably have
some of the logic built into the existing body ECU that handles it. What
car, out of interest?

[John Rumm]

Would not some of the parameters that are controllable depend not on the
tow bar itself, but also on the load you are towing?


--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[dennis@home]

On 08/08/2017 12:33, Chris Bartram wrote:

> CAN itself isn't. I'd guess that your car (and Harry's) probably have
> some of the logic built into the existing body ECU that handles it. What
> car, out of interest?

Astra J

[DerbyBorn]

>
> Sadly it's called progress aka a terrific way to make money.
>
>
>

But outlay in specialist kit, licences and training. Needs to be recovered
by the charges made.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Brian Reay has brought this to us :

> Another option for CANBUS vehicles is one of the 'relay'units (note the
> quotes) which isolate the towing electrics from the vehicle.
>
> They detect when, for example, the rear lights are on and turn on the towing
> lights.
>
> They don't interfere with the main vehicle.
>
> I fitted one to my CANBUS vehicle and it worked fine.

..and are cheap, but you lose all of the added value of having a
can-bus system, at least that for your rear end lighting.

You can get the 'relay' units for around £20-£25. I chose to pay the
£140 and got the proper can-bus equipment. It does so much more, plus
the peace of mind knowing your trailer lights are working before you
set off and on router - it was worth the extra.

[Harry Bloomfield]

It happens that dennis@home formulated :

It maybe depends on the specific vehicle - mine was plug and play. Many
things are not, such as the folding mirrors, electric windows and Fuel
Burning Heater, which the body control needs to be told are fitted.

Mine has the 'see you home' lighting, where the headlights remain on
for a few seconds after they have been on, so you can see your way. I
have just reconfigured that to leave the tail lighting on as well, as
that suits me better for finding my way out of the garage in the dark.

[Chris Bartram]

On 08/08/2017 09:08, Robert wrote:
> On 07/08/2017 20:20, Michael Chare wrote:
>> I have fitted tow bar electrics to my VW car. The electrics include a
>> box which is connect to the CAN bus.
>>
>> To work properly the car has to be re-programmed. A local VW garage
>> said this would take an hour, based on recent past experience. Even a
>> place which specialised in this work said it would take half an hour.
>>
>> Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just
>> be a five minute job clicking a few screens.
>>
>>
> The coding alters things like:
> Parking sensors display

Yes, I'd forgetten that- it recalibrates them for the extra length.

[Michael Chare]

I could have done that and the parts would have been cheaper, however as
the rear light units are LED and are connected to the CAN bus what
looked like the cables for the power are thin and probably not thick
enough to carry the current for the incandescent trailer light bulbs.
I would have to have run additional cables from the front of the car, a
job that that solution would otherwise have avoided.

[Michael Chare]

Thank you for the offer. I have booked it in now at wfjones. What kit do
you have to this sort of job. I have been tempted to buy something.

[Chris Bartram]

On 08/08/2017 14:38, Michael Chare wrote:
> On 08/08/2017 08:26, Chris Bartram wrote:
>> On 07/08/2017 20:20, Michael Chare wrote:
>>> I have fitted tow bar electrics to my VW car. The electrics include a
>>> box which is connect to the CAN bus.
>>>
>>> To work properly the car has to be re-programmed. A local VW garage
>>> said this would take an hour, based on recent past experience. Even a
>>> place which specialised in this work said it would take half an hour.
>>>
>>> Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just
>>> be a five minute job clicking a few screens.
>>>
>>>
>> It doesn't. I've done it for someone. About 15 Min, including booting
>> the laptop and looking up the coding.
>>
>> Go to one of the VW forums, find a list of owners of VCDS
>> (http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/index.html) and ask one of them.
>>
>> If you're anywhere near West Mids, I'll do it.
>
> Thank you for the offer. I have booked it in now at wfjones. What kit do
> you have to this sort of job. I have been tempted to buy something.
>
>

VCDS- see link above. You can buy it from the likes of Gendan. It's
useful if you have multiple VAG cars like I do, and even more so if you
do your own servicing.

http://www.gendan.co.uk/

[Harry Bloomfield]

It happens that Michael Chare formulated :

> I could have done that and the parts would have been cheaper, however as the
> rear light units are LED and are connected to the CAN bus what looked like
> the cables for the power are thin and probably not thick enough to carry the
> current for the incandescent trailer light bulbs.
> I would have to have run additional cables from the front of the car, a job
> that that solution would otherwise have avoided.

Even fitting the BMW can-bus unit, I had to run a new main feed for
current supply to the for the extra lighting and run a thin data cable
to enable the extra can-bus monitoring.

[Brian Reay]

You are, of course, correct, you 'get what you pay for'.


We spend a few minutes checking the lights etc. after 'hitching up', it
gives the XYL something to do ;-) I suppose we wouldn't know if we
'lost' a rear tail bulb enroute but the 'relay' (I can't recall the
correct name) option does give an indication the indicators are working-
that is required by law (in the UK).

[Harry Bloomfield]

Brian Reay wrote :

> We spend a few minutes checking the lights etc. after 'hitching up', it gives
> the XYL something to do ;-) I suppose we wouldn't know if we 'lost' a rear
> tail bulb enroute but the 'relay' (I can't recall the correct name) option
> does give an indication the indicators are working- that is required by law
> (in the UK).

That was a requirement going back to I think the 1960's.

When I first installed mine, I still continued the routine of checking
the trailer lights were working, before driving away - until I carried
out tests and realised it was completely unnecessary. It even flags up
a slightly dodgy connection.

[Andy Burns]

Michael Chare wrote:

> I have arranged to take it to them. They did say half an hour £50 inc vat.

Well for an £1850 box they have to have and £250/year to keep it
working, and a bloke's time, it's not so bad.

[Andy Burns]

Chris Bartram wrote:

> Bill wrote:
>
>> I was advised to tell my insurance company
>> that my previous Jeep came with a towbar. The young lady looked it up,
>> said "That's odd" and told me the premium would be reduced.
>
> Yes, apparently so.

But the car's eventual resale value will be lower

[Bill]

In message <omc98v$s8b$1...@dont-email.me>, Chris Bartram
<ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> writes

>On 08/08/2017 09:08, Robert wrote:
>> The coding alters things like:
>> Parking sensors display
>
>Yes, I'd forgetten that- it recalibrates them for the extra length.
>

How on earth does it do that? I thought it would just turn them off.

My 2 likely trailers on the Range Rover are about 22' and 6'
respectively.

How does it know (admittedly I haven't tried yet so maybe it brings up a
question?)?
--
Bill

[Steve Walker]

What a rip-off. Cost me £20 for a lead to connect my laptop to my
Vauxhall Zafira and came complete with a link to download software. Less
than 10 minutes for me to enable and configure the trailer lights
interface and enable cruise control (just had to plug in a different
stalk and enable it in three locations).

SteveW

[Steve Walker]

On 08/08/2017 08:55, Rod Speed wrote:
>
>
> "Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message
> news:ombp0p$9jc$1...@dont-email.me...
>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sadly it's called progress aka a terrific way to make money.
>>
>> No, it's a better way to connect electrics than scotchlocking into
>> existing circuits.
>>
>>>>>
>>>> I am sure you are right. The car should recognise the tow bar
>>>> electrics and adapt itself accordingly.
>>>
>>> It likely does if you use the VW one.
>
>> It doesn't. CAN is not plug and play.
>
> It certainly can be if its designed in in the
> first place for the trailer to be optional and
> automatically recognised when its added.

It can't completely. Usually these modules have options as well. For my
Zafira turning checking of all the trailer lights on works great with my
trailer, but causes all the lights to flash every few seconds if I
borrow my dad's which has LED lights.

SteveW

[Steve Walker]

On 07/08/2017 20:59, dennis@home wrote:
> On 07/08/2017 20:20, Michael Chare wrote:
>> I have fitted tow bar electrics to my VW car. The electrics include a
>> box which is connect to the CAN bus.
>>
>> To work properly the car has to be re-programmed. A local VW garage
>> said this would take an hour, based on recent past experience. Even a
>> place which specialised in this work said it would take half an hour.
>>
>> Why on earth does it take so long? I was thinking that it would just
>> be a five minute job clicking a few screens.
>>
>>
>

> I fitted the Vauxhaul one and it worked without reprogramming the car.
> It was also cheaper than the after market ones from witter and the likes.

If it is similar to the one for my Zafira, it will work when just
plugged in, but it won't adjust the stability control for towing when a
trailer is plugged in or check all the trailer lights every few seconds
instead of just the indicators when used, without enabling those
software options.

SteveW

[Steve Walker]

Ah, forgot. I think disabling rear parking sensors when a trailer is
plugged in is also a selectable option.

SteveW

[Andy Burns]

Bill wrote:

> Chris Bartram wrote:
>
>> Robert wrote:
>>
>>> The coding alters things like: Parking sensors display
>>
>> Yes, I'd forgetten that- it recalibrates them for the extra length.
>
> How on earth does it do that? I thought it would just turn them off.

Presumably when towing it turns them off, but when *not* towing it
allows a few extra inches to stop you ramming stuff with the towball

[Andy Burns]

Steve Walker wrote:

> Andy Burns wrote:
>
>> Well for an £1850 box they have to have and £250/year to keep it
>> working, and a bloke's time, it's not so bad.
>
> What a rip-off. Cost me £20 for a lead to connect my laptop

Well, that's why I started off suggesting finding someone who has a VCDS
lead, I've done tweaks to my car with mine, and enabled extra
functionality (such as dual SIM for phone/satnav) for a few locals,
usually people pay "a drink or two" ...

[Rod Speed]

"Bill" <Billa...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:BFN+UK4S...@end.of.the.universe...

A well designed trailer tells it how long it is.

[dennis@home]

On 08/08/2017 19:07, Steve Walker wrote:

It certainly checks the lights as it has informed me of a fault while
driving.

I don't know about the stability program, the computer tells me a
trailer has been connected.

[Rod Speed]

"Steve Walker" <st...@walker-family.me.uk> wrote in message
news:omcu1r$2ku$2...@dont-email.me...

> On 08/08/2017 08:55, Rod Speed wrote:
>>
>>
>> "Chris Bartram" <ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> wrote in message
>> news:ombp0p$9jc$1...@dont-email.me...
>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sadly it's called progress aka a terrific way to make money.
>>>
>>> No, it's a better way to connect electrics than scotchlocking into
>>> existing circuits.
>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> I am sure you are right. The car should recognise the tow bar
>>>>> electrics and adapt itself accordingly.
>>>>
>>>> It likely does if you use the VW one.
>>
>>> It doesn't. CAN is not plug and play.
>>
>> It certainly can be if its designed in in the
>> first place for the trailer to be optional and
>> automatically recognised when its added.

> It can't completely.

Corse it can do whatever an external
machine can do when designed properly.

> Usually these modules have options as well.

No reason why the car ECU cant set
the appropriate options for that car.

> For my Zafira turning checking of all the trailer lights on works great
> with my trailer, but causes all the lights to flash every few seconds if I
> borrow my dad's which has LED lights.

Then it’s a steaming turd of a 'design'

[Chris Bartram]

Sorry, I was unclear.The extra length of the car with the towbar.

[Chris Bartram]

Yes, exactly that.

[bert]

In article <omd2ec$i4a$2...@dont-email.me>, Chris Bartram
<ne...@delete-me.piglet-net.net> writes

I have a removable towball.
--
bert

[Steve Walker]

I may have it the wrong way round on that and that function defaults to
default to on, however with some trailers with LED lights it is
necessary to disable that function to avoid all the lights flashing
briefly every few seconds.

> I don't know about the stability program, the computer tells me a
> trailer has been connected.

I forgot about disabling the rear fog light when a trailer is plugged in
as well. Something you'd want to do with a caravan, but not with a
narrow camping trailer without fog lights.

These things may happen anyway, but if you need to enable or disable a
specific function you need a programming lead and software.

SteveW

[jim]

"dennis@home" <den...@nowhere.invalid> Wrote in message:

just in case you didn't know..

How typically germanic :-)
--
Jim K


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

[Rod Speed]

"Steve Walker" <st...@walker-family.me.uk> wrote in message

news:omdcae$lk9$1...@dont-email.me...

Only with steaming turds of 'designs'

>> I don't know about the stability program, the computer tells me a trailer
>> has been connected.
>
> I forgot about disabling the rear fog light when a trailer is plugged in
> as well. Something you'd want to do with a caravan, but not with a narrow
> camping trailer without fog lights.
>
> These things may happen anyway, but if you need to enable or disable a
> specific function you need a programming lead and software.

Not with those that are designed properly and can work
out what is plugged in, a small trailer or a caravan etc.

[John Rumm]

Like my boiler when the pressure falls to low, the message "service heat
generator" pops up on the stat ;-)




--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Harry Bloomfield]

Steve Walker formulated on Tuesday :

> It can't completely. Usually these modules have options as well. For my
> Zafira turning checking of all the trailer lights on works great with my
> trailer, but causes all the lights to flash every few seconds if I borrow my
> dad's which has LED lights.

That is because those particular LED lamps, would need to be CAN-bus
compatible versions.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Andy Burns wrote on 08/08/2017 :
> Presumably when towing it turns them off, but when *not* towing it allows a
> few extra inches to stop you ramming stuff with the towball

Is the correct answer - mine is supposed to do the same. I guess if the
proper towing relay is installed, that tells it to add the extra few
inches of clearance to the reverse sensing system.

[Halmyre]

This is one of the things that slightly irritates me - manufacturers effectively locking you out of certain functionality of your car. It's like owning a PC, and having to take it back to the shop for changes to the BIOS because I've added extra RAM or another hard disk.

Taking the PC analogy a step further, if manufacturers gave us free control over configuration changes, they'd still make money fixing all the problems induced by blundering imbeciles.

[Chris Bartram]

I can't be certain, but I think there's a setting for that so it still
turns off the sensors but /doesn't/ adjust the range.

[Steve Walker]

The problem is that a car could pull a number of different trailers and
caravans - possibly even a hired trailer - and it makes no sense that it
is a dealer configuration to make the lights work correctly. A simple
way of the driver changing that configuration without equipment would
make sense or auto mode switching depending upon the sensed load.

SteveW