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Hello all, first post!

I'm looking for a bit of info regarding the wiring on the towbar I've just fitted to my car (Ford Ranger crewcab, 2005 model).

A few years back I wired a towbar into my old Cherokee by joining it to the wiring loom using a universal socket, all very simple. The problem I now have is that many newer cars have wiring systems that can't be added to due to the low voltages used and bulb failure check systems etc. Is there any way I can discover if my car has this system or not? It doesn't appear to have any bulb check systems. I've had a look under the rear of the car and the loom to the lights is visible and doesn't look anything special, just a bundle of wires wrapped in black tape.

I'd phone my local dealer but they've just gone bust and I doubt they'd be much use anyway!

Hi

This maybe no help but I just fitted a specific 12N & 12S loom to my rover75 CDTSE as the car is laden with checking systems etc and has a harness like a babies arm travelling the length of the car! I had heard stories of cars dying suddenly for no reason so that made my mind up to go specific.

A simple test would be to remove a bulb and see if a warning comes up on the dash to say so, then you will know??

Hope this helps

Peter

Cabernet02 'One for the Vine'

A lot of cars,especially 4x4s have a socket in the rear somewhere to attach the trailor connector, our Frontera does, you then change the flasher unit and it brings in the repeater light.

 I would think your Ford might be the same as these type of vehicles are used for towing. You could ask friendly Ford dealer?

Thanks for the replies.

I've had a quick look under the rear of the car and there are a number of small electrical plugs hanging down from the floor, each with probably 2 or 3 wires going into them so these could be something.

After doing a little more searching on the web I've found a Ranger specific towbar socket and loom on the Towequipe website so this could be the way to go, not cheap compared to the universal socket though.

On modern cars, the towing electrics must be vehicle specific.  Because of the multiplex wiring systems, a mistake can be extremely expensive.  I have heard of a case where a normally competent DIYer caused about £2,000 worth of damage to the management system and loom on his Mercedes.

A qualified independent tow bar specialist would have charged £300-£400 for the job, and carried the can if he did something disastrous.  This would be an unlikely event, however, because the pricey consequences make them very careful.

Bertie.