onedego Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Hi Folks, just had a Tow Bar fitted today with the dedicated wiring loom. The guy took it away to program it up, and came back saying that all it will do is tell me when the bulbs are out on the trailer, if i want it to cover the Stabilising and Traction Control and that sort of stuff, it will cost an extra £800 (this on top of the £600 already paid for the tow bar, loom and fitting)... Anyone any experience that can shed some light on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JW1982 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 On the Focus MK3 the towbar module needs to be configured in the vehicles Central Configuration. This can only be done with dedicated towbar wiring kits which are compatible with the Focus MK3 electronics. If they installed a correct towbar wiring kit it should be no problem to configure it correctly. If they fitted a universal wiring kit with a generic (relay) module it is not possible to configure it because the Ford CANbus system will simply not recognise it. Configuring the towbar module in the Central Configuration is very easy. Every Ford dealer can do this. You can even do this yourself with an ELM327 interface and the free FoCCCus software. You should first try to find out which brand/type of towbar wiring kit is installed and if it is compatible with the Focus MK3 electronics. Personally I would only accept a wiring kit which supports all towbar functions and is fully compatible with the Focus MK3 electronics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onedego Posted May 6, 2015 Author Share Posted May 6, 2015 Thanks JW1982 -- the fully compatible is what i was expecting when I told the guy it was a 2013 Ford Focus Hatch Back, and that i wanted the dedicated wiring loom. So this came from a Ford Dealer, and the part code is 1832019. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JW1982 Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Finis number 1832019 is an original kit for a 5-door Focus MK3. This kit should be fully compatible with the Focus MK3 electronics. However from a certain production date Ford stopped installing the preperation for towbar wiring to the Focus MK3. On newer Focus MK3's the connectors to connect the towbar wiring kit are no longer present. If this is the case an extra wiring loom will be needed. If the wiring kit you have is correctly installed it should be no problem to configure the towbar setting in the Central Configuration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onedego Posted May 9, 2015 Author Share Posted May 9, 2015 Would you expect properly installed wiring to look like the attached? Or is this a "scotch and botch" job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 thats not ford wiring kit at all.bodge job for sure, that can cause all sorts of problems with your car, flat batterys most common, car wont go in to deep sleep properly, think ford wiring kit only available as 13pin kit, and litterally plugs in to module and rear lights , module plugs in to either a connector for power and earth, and another connector on main vehicle harness, or as jw1982 said if not there in harness, then another harness that runs to front of vehicle cant believe youve paid £600 for that. module to match the ford part number wiring you stated is 1786386 acordding to the ford accesory website .and those modules are not it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JW1982 Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 In my opinion this is a big mess you should not accept. The modules shown on your picture (TEB7AS and TEC3M) are universal bypass relay modules. These are not Ford parts. I suspect they installed a universal wiring kit and not even a vehicle specific wiring kit with the Ford specific connectors and wiring. A Universal wiring kit can not be configured into the vehicles Central Configuration because the necessary eletronic modules are missing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 scotch locks should be banned!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onedego Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 thanks guys. In fairness, I asked for the proper Ford Towbar system to be installed, so that it interfaces with the EMC. Would you guys expect to see the trailer module in the boot somewhere (obviously on the sides) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Yes, if it was bought and fitted, would be secure on o/s somewhere I recall, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onedego Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 And here's the latest instalment - the guy who did the botch job is not being very forward in his decision to fix the problem, so we called up another company who told me I could probably do the job myself! Well I never! I got my ELM327 through the post today and have had a look at the config of the car, and whoopee as i thought - no change from 'As Built'. So, we got the parts on order and i'm going to give this one a go - I've seen tutorials on modifying the ELM327 to do 'additional stuff' (i think) but would I need to modify the unit to change the trailer settings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JW1982 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 The BCM is connected to the HS CANbus network so an unmodified ELM327 interface is suitable for changing the Central Configuration of the BCM. A modified ELM327 interface is only needed if you want to diagnose modules which are on the MS CANbus network. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onedego Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 The final instalment (well, the admin stuff needs dealing with, but the technical stuff is final). After purchasing the full wiring kit from a local dealer, my dad & I got to work on undoing the bodge job that was done on the car. Scotch Blocks were only one part of it, for some reason he'd also stripped some of the wiring and looped new wiring around it - and taped it over. So realistically it's little wonder the "installation" didn't work. It took us the best part of 2 hours to remove the stuff he put into the car, and make things right - everything we took off went into a bag and out of the way before we introduced any of the new wiring kit. It really was as easy as people were saying it was - route the loom, plug in the grommet, plug in the green and grey connectors, and the trailer module, and hey presto - we have a working connection. The hardest part of it was the Fridge/Battery Charging Relay cable, which had to go front to back and connect to the battery. Beautifully we were able to take the same route as the factory installed wiring channels quite easily. So, we're all installed and connected up. We did pop a fuse in the installation but i've a good idea why, and currently have a larger fuse in there which got us up and running so that yesterday i was able to tow successfully. One happy fella today, thanks for all your advice guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjohnst4 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Hi, sorry to hijack your post (mods do I need to create a new one?) , but I'm looking at fitting dedicated electrics to my Ford Focus Estate 2012 as I still have a Ford Warranty with it.. As you've just done it thought it would be easier asking on this thread. I've looked at a few web sites and the kits seem to ask if I have Trailer Prep? I got in touch with Ford @ Preston dock, and after being passed to 6 people the last bloke told me if I had a tow bar I had trailer prep. At that point I said thanks, and hung up. I am only interested in the 7 pin electrics for the lights on the back of a caravan if that makes it easier. Andy, can I ask which kit you got off Ford and the rough price? I can see two Ford kits for mine but not sure which one, and there's a big difference in price: £70 and £210. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanW Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 You could try looking on ETIS - not sure if it'll list whether or not you have the trailer prep, but it's worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjohnst4 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Hi Sean , thanks for the reply. I think I sussed it out. I had another look at the pages on PFJones website which sell the kit with TP and without TP and noticed it had fitting instructions that can be downloaded. When I read through it, it showed there should be a box in the boot on the near side. If that's not there then the extension kit is required. Checked mine out and it has the box. I've attached a screenshot of the relevant bit. The box in my 2012 is behind the flap, so it's really easy to find. Looks like Ford do the cheapest one so will order one of those. Hope this helps anyone else trying to figure out if they have Trailer Prep. cheers Steve 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjohnst4 Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Just another update, I also needed the box iantt mentioned in post #6. Usually £110, but I manage to get for £90 as they had some in stock...... Quick question to you guys regarding programming the BCM, I assumed that this would automatically turn off the Reverse Sensors and possibly be a setting for traction control changes when towing. However the only relevant settings I could find on the FoCCCus software where: #19 Rear foglight tow function - set this to "Foglights shut off when trailer connected" #20 Trailer Module - set to "13-position socket" #76 Towbar - set to "Trailer tow attachment" I'm assuming that the turning off of reversing sensors is done by pressing the button manual on the dash? Would be nice to be automatic though. I've tested this with my trailer, and the indicators, lights and brake lights work. So I assume the module has been activated. Not hooked up to caravan yet though. Can anyone say if this is all that needs setting,or have I missed anything? I'm towing the caravan on Friday, and would like a bit of "comfort" that I've ticked all the required settings. Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbittorf Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Hi everyone. Im am after some information on the best way to go about installing the tow electrics on my 2012 Focus 3 estate. I fitted the tow bar and electrics to my previous 09 Fiesta a few years ago, which was a doddle with the Westfalia dedicated kit. As the kit i installed previously was a Westfalia, I have been looking at their products page and find that i may need two kits. 1. The towing preparation kit - That runs cables from the battery and ODB2 port to the rear electrical centre in the passenger side of the boot. Part 307 442 300 183 2. The actual "box of tricks" - Tow bar wiring to the tow connection on the tow bar. Part 307 442 300 107 / 113. These both seem like a bit too much especially as the preparation kit wires into the ODB2 port in the installation kit. Also there are a few scotch block joins with the Westfalia kit which has put me off after reading this post. All in all, I have been able to deduce that i do not have trailer preparation as i do not have 2 "spare" connectors on the wiring loom over the passenger side rear wheel. See attached link: As an alternative, i have been looking at the genuine Ford kit FINIS: 1832037 http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_focus_electrical_kit_for_tow_bar_with13_pin_connector_2011-2014_f_1832037_c_671.htm My only concern is that this seems very cheep in comparison to the Westfalia kits above at PF Jones, and have been unable to find an online copy of the installation manual or a kit list to verify that It is suitable and If I need any additional parts. I am keen to know if anyone has a hand any positive experience with either of theses installation kits, or has any recommendations for dedicated electrical kits to do the job.From what I understand, it is a relatively simply process to program the BCM with FoCCCus software once all has been connected. Kind regards, MB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I would check on the o/s wheel arch area, im sure its that side, could be taped up in main loom so have a good look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbittorf Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Well, I checked the o/s this morning and there does not appear to be any spare sockets to connect to any trailer module. The loom is bound up pretty tight and was checked all the way back to the rear seats but there was no spare connectors anywhere. From the diagrams that I have seen the connectors look pretty big, and Im assuming that it would be difficult to miss them. Has anyone any recommendations on the best way forward for me to install the tow electrics? Would it be best to use the ford original trailer module and cabling: Cabling kit - http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_focus_electrical_kit_for_tow_bar_with13_pin_connector_2011-2014_f_1832037_c_671.htm Trailer module - http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_focus_trailer_rear_module_f_1786386.htm or a 3rd party solution like the westfalia kits: Cabling Kit - http://www.pfjones.co.uk/ford-focus-mar-2011-on-7-pin-dedicated-wiring-kit-307442300107.html Extension kit - http://www.pfjones.co.uk/ford-extension-kit-for-models-without-towing-prep-307442300183.html?thread_id= Any advise would be greatly appreciated! MB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stejoy Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 I have been investigating this topic prior to getting towbar for my focus. Some very good info on here. Have used the right connections kits before on a freelander and just plugged in an worked. It is worth noting that until december 2015 the focus wasn't fitted with a trailer module hence the lack of connections to plug the normal kit in. Ford's website shows the trailer module part no 1786386 for £115.50 and electric kit 1832019 £71.41 (go to the fixed towbar, required fitting parts). There are different parts from 01/2016 which are cheaper as presumably there is more towing prep from that date. Interesting that these prices are actually cheaper than the Right Connections kit (13 pin). Think I will be going down that route, but getting the tow bar from PFJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stejoy Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_focus_electrical_kit_for_tow_bar_with13_pin_connector_2011-2014_f_1832037_c_671.htm mentioned by MB is for an estate. They probably fit more electrics as estates may be more likely to go for a towbar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stejoy Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 Where can I get the FOCCCUS software from - keep getting dumped to the US site, where login doesn't work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 http://ford.xtlt.ru/FoCCCus/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stejoy Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 thanks. Funny how the ford parts site keeps changing . yesterday 1832019 was a different to 1832037 today it points to the same part. confused? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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