Jump to content
Do Not Sell My Personal Information


Retractable Electric Tow Bar


SukiDukes
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hiya,

I have a Mk3 Focus Titanium X 2.0 fitted with a retractable electric tow bar. This is the type with the button in the boot which you have to press twice to deploy the tow bar from underneath the car.

I have only used this a couple of times since buying the car, however it now fails to deploy when an attempt to use it is made. Normally when the button in the boot is pressed once until the first bleep to disengage the tow bar from storage, then pressed again to the next bleep to swivel it out the tow bar is basically ready to use. To stow-away the reverse process is used.

At the moment though, when the button in the boot is pressed the bleep heard is now a continuous sound (around 15-20 sec long) and the tow bar is not disengaged from storage or swilled out for use.

Does anyone have any ideal what the problem is? Its not a case of failed maintenance as the Ford manual says it is maintenance free and requires no servicing, oil or grease ever. I have tried to move it manually but it wont budge from its stowed position. I'm a little baffled as all seems okay and obviously the electrics but it doesn't work.

Any insight into this issue from somebody who has the knowledge or experience of this happening to them would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


 Retractable electric tow bar that's a new one on me never heard of one :smile:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They were such a rare option on the mk3, I've only ever seen one in person.  You've probably got the only one on the forum lol.

It sounds like the solenoid to release the towbar has seized up.  While the Ford manual may say it's maintenance free, it sits in a damp, dirty, salty location and will inevitably suffer from that.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There were loads of problems with the retractable towbar. Most of them are caused by a defective control module. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

they don't sound that good glad they didnt fit that many :smile:

Link to comment
Share on other sites


The reason why the retractable towbar is so rare is because it was very expensive. 

The original detachable towbar was much cheaper and much more reliable.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Regardless of the cost, my choice would be a fixed towbar.

It protects the back of the car from anyone who 'parks by braille' and it strengthens the back of the car in the event of being on the receiving side of a rear end shunt.

Some cars, when tested to the US standard for surviving rear damage, had a leaking fuel tank caused by distortion of the surrounding chassis members and body panels penetrating the side of the tank.

On these models, the US version ONLY had a non optional towbar fitted.

Of course the manufacturer's line was that a towbar was what most US customers would use.

ScaniaPBman.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/30/2018 at 12:07 PM, dezwez said:

 Retractable electric tow bar that's a new one on me never heard of one :smile:

Thanks for your reply.

They are around £800 -£1000 fitted and available on many other makes of vehicles not just Ford.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/30/2018 at 12:29 PM, TomsFocus said:

They were such a rare option on the mk3, I've only ever seen one in person.  You've probably got the only one on the forum lol.

It sounds like the solenoid to release the towbar has seized up.  While the Ford manual may say it's maintenance free, it sits in a damp, dirty, salty location and will inevitably suffer from that.

 

Thanks,

It could be like you said a sticky solenoid, or perhaps didn't retract properly on the last time used. I need to find someone with a pit or some good solid ramps so I can take a better look. As mentioned, they are supposed to be sealed and maintenance free so weathering shouldn't be the issue. From what I can see locally, its quite clean and dry all around the area it is fitted so it may be a faulty solenoid as suggested.

If, or when I find out what's-what I'll try to update the post.

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks,

 

Perhaps if I get it working again I'll leave it extended as it can be used in that way. I have rear cameras fitted as well as rear sensors so shouldn't need a ram for general parking lol.

However, if left out is does have like you mentioned the benefit of defence if a nerdy tries to take you from the rear, ha, ha, ha!  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/30/2018 at 12:43 PM, dezwez said:

they don't sound that good glad they didnt fit that many :smile:

There's loads out there, and also variants. Most leading tow-bar specialists cater and supply them so they are not a selective breed by any measure. If you like gadgets then your love one of these to flick out in front of friends lol.

I like them because of their stealth, the rear of the car looks plain jane until you press the old button and hey presto out flicks the tow-bar and electric socket ready to rock … or should I say TOW!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Hi did you manage to sort this as mine has now done this I found out underneath take the rubber boot off and was able to hit a metal flat screw driver at the back as it was spring loaded to then fold it away but still have constant beep so I've got it back out again and disconnected the small module of the two which beeps with a read light flashing and the socket still works for the tow board 

i was homing it would reset if I folded back in but nothing

Link to comment
Share on other sites

d5f27ee1ffaac5d34df948db5b05c5a0.jpg

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

Hi All

I am trying to find out about the retractable tow ball wiring. I have a 2016 Mondeo Vignale estate and had this option Factory fitted. It has stopped working, pressing the button gives no LED light or audible note. I believe this could be a failed fuse or possible relay. I have trawled through the handbook fuse boards but can see no reference to Tow ball. Any help would be gratefully received, possibly a suggestion where to find / ask for this information.  

Regards

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • 1 year later...

Same issue, fuse ok, no audible alert or deployment. 

Are any towbar specialists diagnosing issues?

Ford won't touch it without a couple of hours workshop labour paid upfront.

Any constructive advice from those owners afflicted by the fault is welcomed. 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

I tried to fix one of these on a mk3 focus. It was beeping constantly and button flashing red. The hitch can be moved by hand, it did not lock.

Took apart the hitch, cleaned the rust put some fresh grease, then took apart the motor that lock/unlock it, found nothing wrong in there except the micro-switch was broken, could be i broke it somehow. Anyway replaced the micro switch, tested the motor, put back together and now no more beeping but pressing the button does nothing, no sound no flash. Inside the control module is another led, that is flashing all the time, as soon as ignition is switched on.
I wonder, why this unit is not connected to diagnostic plug? Would be much easier to  troubleshoot.
So after i put a lot of work in it still did not work, could be control unit faulty. So i wired the lock/unlock motor to 12v through a switch. Blue wire to ground and blue/red to +12 switched(on the module plug), push the switch until a clank is heard then manually move the hitch into position until it locks.

spacer.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share




×
×
  • Create New...

Forums


News


Membership