Octavia Towbar Blues

[scoutau]

A couple of things of interest.

"13 pin EU and 7 pin AU Socket mounting"
Generally the VAG genuine kits come as 13 pin Euro and a 7 pin Aussie flat to 13 pin Euro adapter. Some Dealers have been fitting the adapter as permanent and cable tieing the 13 pin socket to adapter joint up under the rear apron because some of the locally sourced bars do not come with the drop down or permanent plate to mount the ISO1194 13-pin Euro connector. This happened to me and I am having it sorted as they just wrapped the joint in insulation tape which did not give a waterproof connection,they had even thrown away the rest of the 13 pin socket to compound matters! I have spoken to the VAG genuine towbar suppliers about this and they say there is no swivel down mounting plate because VAG didn't specify it. Wakeup VAG, have a look at the EU Genuine suppliers supply specs!

"Adapter Wiring"
There is also a problem with the VAG supplied 13-pin EU to 7-pin AU adapter in that pin 2 of the 13 pin EU (Rear Trailer Fog Light) has been wired to pin 5 (Electric Brakes) of the 7 pin AU socket! All because the same colour is used or a variation of on the Euro connector (Blue or grey/blue stripe IS1194.) and nobody thought to check it. I have spoken this week at the cost of an international call to the VAG genuine towbar suppliers who also supply the adapter. They where not aware of these problems as feedback given to Skoda/VAG re towbar faults never left VAG HQ in Sydney! Looking at the threads, this problem has been reported to VAG since 2009, not only on Skoda but other VW, Audi genuine towbar kits sold by VAG.

"Bulb Failure Warning"
In as far as bulb fail goes for AU fitted lighting kits, check that the towbar has been coded properly by the dealer! In early systems only 2 options are given: EU and "Rest of the world" (0 and 1), now it is different and AU electrics on the towbar should be set to country code "3" as this allows park light only on right channel and left channel without bulb check I think. The system passes 1.7 volts DC down each lighting wire to detect a load and if no load is detected on 1 channel it shows that channel as bulb fail. Multiple loads ensure trailer detection to disable rear parking sensors etc. etc. The link on the 13 pin plug between pin 3 and pin 12 which is part of the IS spec for the connector is not used by VW family of vehicles as they use a smart detect system.

I am getting quite the expert with these problems with having to sort out my own with the dealer, VAG and towbar manufacturers!

"Towbar Load Rating Labelling"
One other problem is VAG having incorrect labelling info on the "Genuine VAG" towbars themselves and the "Genuine VAG" Towbar manufacturers having no idea of the problem!

The towbar for an Octavia Liftback, Combi (Wagon) and Octavia Scout are the same, just with different mounting points between bar and frame between the 2wd vehicles and 4x4 Scout. However the bar if fitted to an Octavia is only max rated at 1200kg (Factory max Spec is 1300kg!) whereas if fitted to an Octavia Scout it is max rated at 1600kg! The only label on the bar, as per ADR states only the 1200kg for the 2wd liftback and wagon Octavia! VAG's response is "If anyone asks, show them the owners manual specs!", this does not work in with Transport Inspectors or Police Traffic Officers in Australia and a fine and maybe loss of license points occurs as well as having to leave the trailer on the side of the road and coming back in a vehicle with a bar at the correct rating for the load!
They also need to get the max towbar spec right to start with! The owners manual says:

Permissible trailer loads, trailer braked
for OCTAVIA M6 / OCTAVIA DQ6 / COMBI M6 / COMBI DQ6 is:
1400b) 1600c)/1400a) c)

And for COMBI 4x4 M6 and SCOUT M6
1600b) 1700c) /1600a)c)
a) Vehicles of the group N1 (?)
b) Uphills up to 12 %
c) Uphills up to 8%
Permissible trailer loads, trailer unbraked 650 for all.

But the towbar supplied by VAG is rated at 1200kg!

I paid for the correct higher rated bar when I ordered my Octavia Scout, I even made sure that the dealer understood the max rating of the bar for the Scout and they verified with VAG accessory support that it was a 1600kg max rated unit and yet I still ended up with a bar with the wrong rating on it. I rang the NZ company who manufactures the towbars for VAG who knew nothing of the problems. They rang me back the next day to tell me what they had done and now have placed the cat amongst the pigeons, bouncing backwards and forwards across the Tasman as VAG are legally culpable of a breach under ADR labelling specs as well as commercial mis-representaion maybe in regards to towbars option specs to both Supplier and Customers . Neither "Westfalia ag" or "Eric-Jaeger ag" make this mistake or have this problem in EU and they are the "Genuine VAG" factory option towbar suppliers to VW ag EU! Also their installation instructions cover everything it seems including resealing with body seal over chassis bolts replaced .

Sorry about that last bit, the poor dealer is now waiting to see what happens as much as I am. The finger is pointed at VAG, not Skoda Australia as VAG arranged all the Local Genuine options for VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda.

[aslsw]

Thanks for that. Very detailed which is good.

It might explain the bulb failure warning I regularly get, which seems to be linked to the headlights ie. only goes off when the headlights come on. The first time it happens was towing a trailerload of furniture from Ikea, in the wet, in peak hour traffic in Sydney. I nearly freaked when the strange warning first came on!

But now I'm used to it, I guess I will just mention it at the next service.

Also good to know about towbar ratings. I'm tempted to go for a diesel Scout next time, and want to get this right.

[gldgti]

On the load ratings issue - are you saying that all the Australian factory fitted towbars are incorrectly labelled?... Mine is correct. I can take a photo if you really want, but it says 1300kg

Mine has been incorrectly coded, but I figured it was pretty unlikely for it to be completely correct given some dealers reputations.... anyway as far as I've used it everything works OK except that my reverse parking sensors arent disabled with the trailer wiring plugged in... probably if I try to code it correctly it will fix it.

[wfdTamar]

Ok, here's a curly one - my car (Octavia Elegance 4x4) has the Tow Bar Prep code.

So I need the wiring kit meant for that. Anyone know what that costs?

Also does the wiring kit meant for cars WITHOUT tow bar prep have everything that the 'with tow bar prep' kit has (plus presumably some extra wiring)?

[IanHamilton]

I had a towbar fitted by a skoda dealer today (presumably all genuine). They mounted the 13 pin connector on the bumper bar and gave me a 13 pin to 7 pin adapter. I don't have a trailer yet so I just plugged the adapter in and put the car into reverse. The reverse sensors went off so I pulled the adapter apart and sure enough there was no link between pin 3 and 12. Aha, I thought! I have read the forums and know how to fix that!. I linked up pin 3 and 12 and tried reverse again. Sad to say, the reverse sensors triggered again. Closer inspection of the 13 pin socket revealed the pins 10, 11 and 12 were NOT PRESENT in the socket. The dealer assures me that the trailer is detected when connected so I presume it must detect the load.
As mentioned by scoutau above, pin 2 of the 13 pin plug on the adapter has been eroneously wired to pin 5 on the 7 pin socket

---------- Post added 03-04-2012 at 03:21 PM ---------- Previous post was 02-04-2012 at 08:51 PM ----------

Further information.
1. I hooked up a trailer. There is no load sensing so the reverse sensors are always on
2. I removed one of the indicator bulbs to see what would happen. There was no warning on the dash but the indicator went at twice the speed.

[scoutau]

Ok, after much checking, the genuine SKODA towbar electrics use bulb sensing by putting slight voltage on each wire to determine if trailer is connected.
When the dealer installed the towbar wiring they should have coded the car to tell it the following:

a: It has a towbar fitted. If they don't the reverse sensor stays active. When correctly wired and you select reverse a picture of a trailer "A" frame is added to the reverse picture and no alarm! If this is not happening, the dealer didn't program your car for towbar!

b: The car needs to be told it is located in Australia, this changes the wire detection to allow for Australian single bus (One wire for all park and one wire for all Stop lights.) 7 conductor trailer wiring instead of the dual bus (Left and right side of trailer for stop and park) used in Europe.

Also the 13-pin to 7-pin adapter wiring needs to have been modded to the spec issued in late February by VAG Australia to remove the "7-pin socket brake wire connected to 13-pin rear foglight pin"! This was a recall issued by VAG after I brought it to their information in September last year, their is also a recall for re-labelling of the towbars (Affects all VAG Australia bars fitted to Scouts supplied by NZ company.) as current labelling is incorrect and in contravention of ADR causing possibility of a fine by DOT Transport Inspectors or Police. Both stem from my complaint to VAG Australia in September last year.

[IanHamilton]

Ok, after much checking, the genuine SKODA towbar electrics use bulb sensing by putting slight voltage on each wire to determine if trailer is connected.
When the dealer installed the towbar wiring they should have coded the car to tell it the following:

a: It has a towbar fitted. If they don't the reverse sensor stays active. When correctly wired and you select reverse a picture of a trailer "A" frame is added to the reverse picture and no alarm! If this is not happening, the dealer didn't program your car for towbar!

b: The car needs to be told it is located in Australia, this changes the wire detection to allow for Australian single bus (One wire for all park and one wire for all Stop lights.) 7 conductor trailer wiring instead of the dual bus (Left and right side of trailer for stop and park) used in Europe.

Also the 13-pin to 7-pin adapter wiring needs to have been modded to the spec issued in late February by VAG Australia to remove the "7-pin socket brake wire connected to 13-pin rear foglight pin"! This was a recall issued by VAG after I brought it to their information in September last year, their is also a recall for re-labelling of the towbars (Affects all VAG Australia bars fitted to Scouts supplied by NZ company.) as current labelling is incorrect and in contravention of ADR causing possibility of a fine by DOT Transport Inspectors or Police. Both stem from my complaint to VAG Australia in September last year.

Yep - Just found that out myself. Got onto erWin and the trailer wring shows no pin connections for 10,11 and 12.
a: Obviously has not been down - Going to dealer tomorrow
b: This also has been cabled for in the 13-7 adapter. Pins 5,7 of the 13 go through diodes to pin 7 on the 7 pin
As I mentioned above the fog light is connected to the electric brake in my adapter so still not fixed - disconnected it
I have not comprehensively checked the labelling but there ARE different ratings for the different models.

[IanHamilton]

Went to the dealer but he could not get the rear sensors to disable. Interestingly the bulb failure detection is working. Does anyone know what the minimum bulb wattage requirements are because I will have to build a dummy load for a LED light trailer set. I dont want to build the load too big.

[gldgti]

Went to the dealer but he could not get the rear sensors to disable. Interestingly the bulb failure detection is working. Does anyone know what the minimum bulb wattage requirements are because I will have to build a dummy load for a LED light trailer set. I dont want to build the load too big.

you can buy an off the shelf load resistor from auto-elec suppliers (designed for fitment of LED clusters to trailers). I got one from supercheap.

[brad]

Look in the Roomster section for Julian Edgars posts. He made a box of wires & resistors for his towbar.

generally, a running light is 6w & the brake & reverse lights are 21w but I'm thinking that's not the answer you are after.....

[IanHamilton]

I know you can buy them but I reckon I can make one for a fraction of the cost. Just gotta figure out the lowest reliable wattage to use. What I will probably end up doing is trying various values

[IanHamilton]

I made my dummy load for $35 all up including 7 pin connectors and aluminium enclosure. The testing I did showed that 3 watt bulbs would be determined to be failed but 6 watt bulbs were OK. So I made the load to be 9 watts just to be sure. Works a treat

[scoutau]

Unless the trailer Wiring module was a bodgey after market unit and not a genuine Skoda/VW/Audi part, here is the VCDS information from Ross-Tech to do the changes, the Genuine location id's are the same for the VW/Skoda diagnostic equipment.


Seat Altea/Toledo (5P), Seat Leon (1P)
Skoda Octavia (1Z), Skoda Superb (3T), Skoda Yeti (5L)
VW Eos (1F), VW Caddy (2K), VW Golf/Jetta (1K/5K), VW Golf Plus (52/5M)
VW Scirocco (13), VW Touran (1T)

Trailer Hitch Retrofitting (1K)
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These instructions may not cover mechanical/electronic details, they will only list the the diagnostic side (coding etc.). Additional details for the mechanical/electronic work needed are part of the retrofitting instructions provided by the parts supplier (i.e. trailer hitch retrofits) or can be found in the factory repair manuals and wiring diagrams.




Installation & Wiring
Information regarding the Installation can be found in the Repair Manuals, the Wiring Diagrams, the Parts Catalog and/or the Instructions included in the Retrofitting Kit.




Configuration
The following Activations are necessary to ensure that the newly fitted parts are properly recognized and are ready to use.

Update the Installation List in the Gateway (J533 / #19).
Register the newly added 69 - Trailer Control Module.
Update the Trailer Control Module (J345 / #69) Coding.
Not all Retrofitting Kits contain Diagnostic capable Trailer Control Modules, some Aftermarket Modules may even be pre-coded. This Step can be ignored for Modules which are not Diagnostic capable.

Due to different Control Modules and Equipment in the Car the actual Coding Table is not shown here but will automatically be used by the Long Coding Assistant once you access the Function using VCDS. If an Aftermarket Module is installed, check the Retrofitting Kit for further Instructions.
Update the Brake Electronics (J104 / #03) Configuration.
Check which ABS or ABS/ESP System is installed. If a MK60EC1 is installed an Activation is not necessary (proceed to the next Step), this Step is only valid for MK60 (from June 6th 2005 / MY 2006+) and MK60-AT. MK70 and MK70M as well as MK60 (before June 6th 2005 / through MY 2005) do not support the Trailer Stabilization Function.
Enable the Adaptation Function by performing a Security Access. Additional Information will be shown by VCDS once you access the Security Access Function.

Via Adaptation select Channel 056 and activate the Trailer Stabilization. Additional Information will be shown by VCDS once you access the Adaptation Channel.
The Activation of the Trailer Stabilization can be tested using a Trailer Test Tool (e.g. VAG 1537/A) by performing an Output Test.
Update the Engine Control Module (J623 / #01) Coding.
Make sure that the Engine is NOT running, otherwise the new Coding will be rejected. Models equipped with Start/Stop System do have a Shutoff Switch/Button which will deactivate the Start/Stop Function.

As a Rule of Thumb, If the Engine uses conventional Short Coding (Coding is 7-digits like 0011312) the Long Codding Assistant does NOT apply. Modules using Short Coding typically do NOT support or require Trailer Configuration Coding. If the Engine Control Module uses a Long Coding the Activation is done in (Long) Coding itself through via Coding Assist. Please also note that there are different Coding Variants for Long Coding.

Due to different Control Modules and Equipment in the Car the actual Coding Table is not shown here but will automatically be used by the Long Coding Assistant once you access the Function using VCDS.
Update the Parking Aid (J446 / #76) OR Parking Aid 2 (J446 / #10) Configuration, if installed.
Depending the exact Model/Model Year either Coding or Adaptation can be used.

Due to different Control Modules and Equipment in the Car the actual Setting is not documented here but will automatically be shown once you access the Coding/Adaptation Function using VCDS. A Security Access may be necessary prior to Coding the Module.
Update the Rear View Camera (J772 / #6C) Coding, if installed.

Due to different Control Modules and Equipment in the Car the actual Coding Table is not shown here but will automatically be used by the Long Coding Assistant once you access the Function using VCDS.

[wfdTamar]

Right I've worked out what the code '1D7 Trailer Hitch Preparation' means (you might have this on the sticker in the boot/service manual with all your vehicle option codes).

It is (as people have guessed previously) all the trailer wiring to a plug in the boot (left hand side behind the panel).

Here's some photo's:

Flickr: wfdonald's Photostream (top four photo's)

There is a red plug behind the fabric panel in the boot, left side. It's covered in a grey foam 'sock' - that is the T12s plug for trailer wiring. It plugs into the J345 VW Trailer Detector Control Unit, which then has wiring going to the external socket next to the tow bar (neither that wiring, or the J345 are part of 1D7).

So if you have the 1D7 code all you need is the Trailer Detector Control Unit and the wiring to the socket, and the socket near the tow bar. There is no need to do any wiring to the front of the car. Install that then you need to get the car coded at the dealer (or do it with VCDS if you have one).

T12s plug Pinout.

pin 1 Brown (earth, luggage compartment, left)
pin 2 Black/purple (from fuse 19, 5A, in the fuse panel right side of dash - which comes from an ignition switched connection in dash panel wiring harness). I gather this would be used for things that require 12 volt power source while driving, like fridges. Though I'm not sure if it's the actual power supply (seems a bit low power), or merely the voltage sensing wire, with the power coming from elsewhere.
pin 3 Black/red (Stop)
pin 7 Orange/green (CAN H)
pin 8 Orange/brown (CAN L)
pin 9 Red/yellow (from dash fuse 43 15A)
pin 11 Red/blue (from dash fuse 44 20A)
pin 12 Red/green (from dash fuse 45 15A)

(from Elsawin Skoda manual)

You can get wiring kits here (yet to confirm they work in Australia). These kits presume you don't have 1D7 though. All you would need is the female version of the T12s plug, or chop it off and do your own type of connection. (not sure how good the prices are, particularly with shipping added):
Skoda Octavia Towbar Wiring Kits

[wfdTamar]

Found these posts by scoutau in another thread which has a bit more useful info (just trying to consolidate all good tow bar info in one place):

23-9-2011
'I have a MY2011 Skoda Octavia Scout fitted with a factory harness.

On most recent European cars (Well VW, Skoda, Audi and Seat.) since 2002, Pin 12 on the trailer or caravan unit being towed must be linked to Pin 3 (Earth return pins 1-8.) in the trailer plug as it is used as a plug coupling indicator to tell the car it has a trailer connected when plugged into the 13 pin vehicle socket, this will disable the reversing sensors, disable the vehicle rear fog lights in preference to the trailer / van fitted ones and will also sound the vehicle alarm if the trailer connector is unplugged from the vehicle when the vehicle is locked. Some also disable the vehicle reversing lights and electric release tailgates and also tells the vehicle to activate its Trailer Stability Program and Adaptive Cruise Control as well.

(wfdTamar - but see below in the second post, 3rd paragraph, 10-10-2011)

This link must be done in the 13 pin Euro to 7 pin adapter lead that is supplied with all genuine kits sourced out of VAG (Best Bars nz towbar and VAG genuine wiring kit.)

The vehicle should have the 13 pin Euro mounted to the vehicle rear apron and the adapter in with the spare tyre in the boot. It should only be plugged in when towing as it disables or enables varied things. I am now contemplating re-wiring my trailer to the 13 pin Euro and having an adapter to 7 pin flat Aus to tow it on other cars! Easier as well as full bulb check on trailer lights as well is a bonus. Utilux Australia carries both Plug and Socket in the 13 pin Euro style as well as Ebay. http://www.vanline.com.au/VPDF/Trailer%20Connectors.pdf

The onboard vehicle CANbus ECU must be told that a towbar is fitted and must be coded correctly. Most problems are fixed when "Australia" is selected as location instead of "Rest of the World" under country in towbar (65) when coded by VAG VAS VCDS
The reason I know this is my system was dealer fitted last week when I took delivery of the new car and they didn’t set it up properly, plugged the adapter in then tucked the 13 pin plug and socket (Minus its waterproof shroud!) under the bumper apron and screwed the 7 pin flat to the apron! I now have to tell them that they need to follow the correct procedures when installing and to rectify it now. Well it was the dealerships second car sold and the first where genuine accessories had to be fitted but still.
Cheers.'


10-10-2011
'Well after havingmy scout in at the dealers for a week working out the bad install and making them talk, serious like, to VAG technical, I have some answers as well as my car back. In the Genuine VAG/Skoda electronics cabling kit I have fitted, which is EEA 600 002C E4, the black control box is made by Hella (Saw it on the box myself, along with VAG car symbols and genine VAG part numbers.). Upon discussion with VAG technical, it was found that the towbar electrics where not coded in at/correctly: Yes the trailer lights would work but no bulb detection, rear sensor disconnection etc would work.

I have yet to see if the reversing lights and rear fog will not work on the car but work on the trailer as my trailer isn't here at the moment and like you, I have to get a 13 pin Euro connector for the trailer as it currently has a 12 pin flat connector (This is available from stockists of Utilux parts, truck spare parts.). This may not happen as rear lighting for trailer is also set by entering country code in the lighting section which gives Australian cars 2 rear reversing lights instead of the 1 given in Europe/England which on the opposite side to the single rear foglight. What does worry me is that the VAG supplied 13 pin to 7 pin adapter has the 13 pin Euro pin 2 blue wire (Rear Fog Light.) wired to the electric brake pin on the 7 pin Aus Socket! Could be interesting!

The VAG system detects the trailer fitted by passing a small current down the lighting circuits to see if a loop is connected back by the earth in the trailer connection! VAG doesn't use the loop in it's current wiring kits, so as long as the genuine electrics are fitted, the loop on pin 12 to pin 3 is not needed.

To utilise the charging and other facilities you need the "Constant Plus extension kit for the 13 pin socket" Part number ZGB 000 055 200 w. (This kit is suitable for: VW Passat B6limousine, Variant & Coupe, Passat B7, Touran, Golf V+V1, Golf Variant, Golf Plus, Jetta A5 & A6, Tiguan, Sharan (7N), Skoda Octavia II, Skoda Superb 3T, Seat Leon 1P, Alhambra (7N) ) The reason is that the VAG kit is missing the 3 connections for the 3 pins in the socket, you mayneed to check your socket as mine is missing those 3 pins altogether but the vehicle fusebox is factory fused up for the option and a 3 pin socket off a rear loom is there for the extension kit in factory prep for towing.

(wfdTamar - I think those 3 missing pins are 9 (permanent power 30A), 10 (Auxilliary - switched & voltage controlled 15A), 11 (earth for pin 10) on the Euro socket. Where is that 3-pin socket off a rear loom?

Pin 2 of the T12s red connector in the boot is 5A switched power from the fuse box (fuse 19). I think this is for the Constant Plus Extension kit. It connects to a voltage sensing relay (this may be inside the J345) (which turns the power off if the voltage goes too low, so you have enough power to start the car). You still need to get the 15A supply from somewhere. Since pin-9 gets 30A from the T12s red connector you'd think you could also connect pin-10's 15A requirement there too. I'm unsure about how/where this connects.

I'll check with the supplier of the 13 pin connector as the 12 and 13 wire cable is used on trucks for trailer wiring for special use. When talking to VAG customer care they did tellme that a special "LED load box" was available as a VAG accessory part that would mount on a trailer to allow LED lighting to be used on the trailer, give em a ring for the part number, wouldn't hurt. I thought of the dual tails on the trailer as well but am more down the line of a reverse adapter for the trailer, 7 pin Plug to 13 pin Euro.'


wfdTamar - The 7-pin flat connector seems most common on trailers here so I reckon having a 'Euro 13-pin plug to flat 12-pin socket' adaptor lead would be useful (if the wiring is compatible/possible). Since the flat 12-pin socket can also connect to the flat 7-pin plug. That's if the flat 12-pin is the most common type for over 7-pin capacity (caravans)? I have no experience of caravans so I don't know.