tow bar electrics

[andrewblueboy]

hi all 

im about to install the wiring but im wanting to know does the mk1 focus 1.6  have the can bus  thanks

[Tdci-Peter]

4 hours ago, andrewblueboy said:

does the mk1 focus 1.6  have the can bus

The mythology about CAN buses is almost all nonsense. A Mk1 Focus may well have a CAN bus, and the Mk2 Focus has two of them, but the lighting is all still fairly standard. Any standard towing relay box will do.

The factors that affect towing electrics are:

Do the tail / brake lights use a modulated system to dim the bulb: No for the Focus.

Do the rear lights have current detectors & blown bulb warning systems: No for the Focus. (Mk1 / Mk2)

But I would advise using a relay box rather than piggy-backing the trailer lights off the car lights in the old fashioned way. It could overload some of the circuits, switches or relays. Also short circuits in the trailer wiring will not then damage the car's circuits or blow lighting fuses. I had that a few weeks ago, cable got mashed in the handbrake, and shorted one indicator circuit to ground. Took out the relay box, but the car was unaffected.