Astra Estate Latest Model

I'm sure you'll need to get the fitting kit from Vauxhall, as the Astra-H has multiplexed wiring (ie. even the lights are fly by wire), and it's not just a case of tapping into the existing wiring.

Looks like I can't just tag into the exsisting wiring. Vauhall dealer want to charge me for a towbar and wiring loom and something about a software download (it's just a frigging car) with 2 HOURS labour quoting me £300.

I only want the electrics so I can plug a lighting board into.

Just another chance to rip people off.

I'm not entirely sure how the new towbars are wired up (could be they just plug into the rear electrical module), but with the multiplexed electrics, the additional supplies for the towbar would have to be activated through re-programming the module. Which in itself isn't a big job (probably about

15min with the diagnostic kit). It may be worth while asking the parts department if you can get the wiring loom seperately.

If I get time tomorrow, I'll see if we've got the wiring diagrams for the Astra-H yet, and let you know how the towbar is wired in.

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

Bet you like all the nice electronic toys that multiplexing allows, though? All the alphabet soup of "driving technology" - EBA, CBC, EBD etc.

Modern cars aren't "just a frigging car" when it comes to the electrics. There isn't one wire from the switch to the bulb any more. There's a network in there, with a decoding computer in each light cluster. Everything's managed by a "body control computer" - and it wants to KNOW about that towbar and socket...

On the other hand, the manufacturer's not going to be the cheapest by a long way - try talking to your local small industrial estate-type towbar specialist. Most places have one. They'll be well used to multiplexing by now.

A couple of hours doesn't surprise me for fitting, even ignoring the multiplexing - the bumper probably has to come off, along with some of the interior trim. At dealer rates, that's probably well over half of your total cost.

Thanks. The wiring diagram would be great

My local Vauxhall Dealer says "that they can't sell the wiring loom seperatly".......I think they are bulling me. When I see another dealer on my travels I'm gonna call in and see what they say.

Actually £300 isn't bad for a towbar these days - I spent that three years ago having a towbar with twin electrics fitted to a Jap import 4x4 by a local towbar specialist that I know.

Find such a local specialist if you only want the electrics, but what will you actually hang them on?

Let's face it, how much did your car cost, and how much is its warranty worth?

Sent you an email (provided I got your spam prevention right).

The wiring loom is available seperately. If you speak to the parts department, they'll have much more information on what is available sperately.

Thanks

I did go to a different dealer today and they were very helpful. They told me I can buy the kit and fit it myself. All they said was that they may have to connect a laptop the "register and test" the kit for warrenty reasons which was about 30mins work. Grand total would be about £65.