towbar wiring

in2minds vaguely muttered something like ...

in2minds ( snipped-for-privacy@redx.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Plenty. Google will find them.

Buy the proper fitting kit. The C8 is multiplexed, and it's NOT going to be as straightforward as it used to be.

Annie

Isn't the C8 the same as the Ulysse? I have just fitted a wiring kit to my Ulysse in 10mins flat. You undo the plugs from the rear lights plug the corresponding plugs, plug in the power thread the cable and connect into your socket(s).

I got a Westphalia (sp?) kit. My mistake was to get the kit without the fridge and charging addon. I will get a split charge relay later and fit but need the van this weekend.

Paul

LJ,

Have a look at

Regards

no, C8 has a new type of wiring system, something called multiplex... isn't that a cinema ?

I've found Westfalia but can't find a stockist online... where did you get it from ?

thanks LJ

in2minds ( snipped-for-privacy@redx.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

The C8 is the same as the *new* Ulysse and 807. The old one was the same as the 806 & Synergie/Evasion.

I was assuming he meant the old Ulysse...

Either way, as long as you connect to the lamp units on the vehicle, it doesn't matter what type of harness is fitted. Lamp bulbs cannot work multiplex.

brian ( snipped-for-privacy@beeb.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Oh, yes, it does.

Some modern cars pulse the bulbs instead of providing a straight feed, meaning only one filament is required for both tail and brake. Others require the body control computer to know that there's going to be the extra load, else indicators flash wrongly and bulb failure units misbehave.

I don't know about the C8 in detail, but if multiplexed cars are wrongly towbar wired, it can get utterly horrific, AIUI.

Sorry Brian, but they can...

Some BMW's and Mercedes have 21 watt bulbs in the side light circuits. This bulb can take over in the event of a normal brakelight bulb failing. The new Vectra and Saab 93 have very complex electrics, and there are other reasons why you should not draw current directly from a vehicles supply to the lamps.

The new Range Rover will lower itself 40mm at motorway speeds if the OE plug in kit isn't used. This could be disastrous with a double axle in tow.........

Regards

Point taken, I hadn't thought of that type of "multiplex", I am more used to the system used in communications.

However, you don't refer to any Citroen models, and this is a Citroen forum. As far as I can tell, my "multiplex" Xsara has standard dual filament stop/tail bulbs, so it appears that at least this part of the wiring is more conventional. The indicators might present a problem, as they appear to be controlled by the ecu.

Brian.

brian ( snipped-for-privacy@beeb.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

alt.autos.citroen is. uk.rec.caravanning and uk.rec.cars.misc aren't.

ALL the lights are controlled by the ECU. Seriously. It *may* be easy, but you can't take it for granted.

Hello Brian,

I didn't realise I was writing to a Citroen newsgroup! I picked your message up on uk.rec.caravanning.

The Citroen Xsara Picasso does seem to have a robust system which will stand the load of extra trailer lights, however, there is a word of caution. The vehicles digital speedo shares the same fuse as the foglight circuit. Blow the fog light fuse and you lose your speedo! Not the best design........

I would use a bypass relay on the foglight circuit to prevent this happening. For details have a look at

and scroll down to"Single bulb failure bypass relay wiring instruction ". hope this helps.......

Regards

As far as I am aware, it is the reversing light that shares the speedo fuse, not the foglight?

I certainly have had no problems with 2000-2002 model Picassos wiring the fog straight into the loom, models 2002- I have always used a bypass relay on all circuits.

On a note to anyone reading this on the Picasso - do not use the thick beige live wire on the nearside as a power take-off.

Thanks Tony, great website by the way.

Brian.

You are correct of course! I was writing from home without the benefit of my crib sheets!

Regards