Towbar Wiring

[Trig]

I have a 2003 (facelift) Galaxy TDi Zetec. I need to pull a small trailer. I have done a few searches and thought that I needed a 'dedicated wiring kit' (

[Charlie]

That (w30) kit will work, it uses

[Trig]

Just found mention of the 'bulb failure system' in my hand book. I removed the brake and tail light bulbs and the warning light didn't come up. Does this mean that the 2003 Zetec isn't equiped with this function?

 

If it isn't equiped is there anything else to be concerned about?

[Charlie]

If you have a warning light on the dash when you first start up (a bulb shape with a exclamation mark in the middle) which goes out when you first press the brake pedal this means you have the "Bulb Failure System" if not you should be OK Edited July 9, 2007 by Charlie

[Taygarth]

I had the towing electrics fitted by a local trailer shop and all is well

 

Charlie - you mentioned doing away with the warning buzzer and using the light on the dash - I had this with a Montego I had years ago

 

I have MK 2 05 plate, I have looked closly at the dash and cannot see a trailer light, also no mention of it in the book.

Where approximatly on the dash is the trailer repeater light - the audible repeater is very anoying and I would much prefer the dash option.

 

Has anyone wired this up? if so any info would be appreciated.

[Trig]

If you have a warning light on the dash when you first start up (a bulb shape with a exclamation mark in the middle) which goes out when you first press the brake pedal this means you have the "Bulb Failure System" if not you should be OK

 

Certainly don't have the warning light but I suppose the warning light bulb could have blown???

 

Does anyone know wether or not the Zetec has this system??

[Charlie]

Taygarth - the visual warning light for the towbar is located in the rev counter above the airbag warning light,

Its two arrows with a one in the middle

 

It works by sensing the extra current load on the flasher circuit when a trailer is plugged in, but only if wired correctly. I suspect your car will be wired with by-pass relay (due to the bulb failure system) which only picks up power to switch a relay from the flasher circuit and the main current taken from another live feed.

 

I used a genuine wiring kit which just plugs into the the wiring loom and then had to reprogram the central electrics module with vagcom to make the light flash, have a read at the topic i started on towbar wiring