Hi 

I've found several threads on Mk3 Tow Bar electrics, but feel I may have fallen even before the first hurdle. In the boot of the car are these plugs so the car should have Towbar Preparation, and I've bought the vehicle specific kit from Ford https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393625445200 but do I require a trailer module like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284404981978 as well, otherwise do the plugs in the kit connect directly to these connections?

Any help would be appreciated. 

Thanks

You will need the trailer module.

You will also have to use FORScan software to enable the system so that the car knows that it has a towbar fitted.

4 minutes ago, unofix said:

You will need the trailer module.

You will also have to use FORScan software to enable the system so that the car knows that it has a towbar fitted.

Thank you, I thought as much. Cheaper from Ford than eBay. There are some good threads on coding the electrics in using FORScan, so hopefully will be able to follow those. 

You will need a laptop and a good connection lead. The new vLinker FS cable is the best and costs around £32, or the original recommended lead used to be the ELM327(modified) from TunnelRat Electronics for £20

FORScan for windows (free) : https://forscan.org/download.html

vLinker FS cable : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-vLinker-Adapter-FORScan-MS-CAN/dp/B0952P4MLP/ref=asc_df_B0952P4MLP/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=534732308385&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16577309852044878061&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006688&hvtargid=pla-1430824679036&psc=1

OR

ELM327(modified) : https://tunnelrat-electronics.fwscart.com/USB_Modified_with_switch_ELM327/p4541936_17045457.aspx

Thank you, I do have a copy of Forscan and whatever the recommended lead used to be. 

Hi again, 

I've installed the module today, and used the FoCCCus software to program the car, but have a strange error and not sure why. On each side of the trailer these lights are constantly flashing, see video. It's on the top on the RHS, and the bottom on the LHS. Same thing happens on a second trailer, so it must be something on the car. I've tried enabling and disabling the fog lights when trailer attached, otherwise the settings are correct. The trailer is a 7 pin plug connected into an adapter for the 13 pin socket, as per pictures. 

Appears I can't upload the video, but here is a youtube link

 

Are those trailer lights LED?  There isn't enough resistance in them for the CANBUS to correctly detect if so.

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Are those trailer lights LED?  There isn't enough resistance in them for the CANBUS to correctly detect if so.

Yes, all my trailers have LED lights. The indicators do work, but I see what you're saying. Is there a solution, most people must be using LEDs these days for trailers? 

9 minutes ago, Condi said:

Yes, all my trailers have LED lights. The indicators do work, but I see what you're saying. Is there a solution, most people must be using LEDs these days for trailers? 

There will be a solution but I'm not 100% sure of the best one nowadays.  In the past we would have fitted a bypass relay.

The fault is the trailer lights are LED and the trailer module is not detecting the correct current. There maybe (and I don't know) options in the software for the trailer module for the use of LED's.

The only other solution that I can suggest is to fit resistors in parallel with each of the circuits to create a current draw equal to that of a 21W lamp

Yes, I see what you're saying, but there must be an easier/better way than putting resistors into the circuit? LED lights were not a new thing in 2011 when the car was designed, and surely Ford thought of this when it was built! 

1 minute ago, Condi said:

and surely Ford thought of this when it was built! 

and the answer to that is "No"

Can you borrow a conventional trailer lighting board with normal lamps just to prove that it works correctly when using filament lamps ?

11 minutes ago, unofix said:

and the answer to that is "No"

Can you borrow a conventional trailer lighting board with normal lamps just to prove that it works correctly when using filament lamps ?

Good idea, I might have one in the shed. 

Looking around online you can buy adaptors which basically contain a resistor, although they're £80-£100. This job is getting quite expensive!! 

The problem is that although we have got used to seeing LED lights on vehicles for quite some time now, actual type approval for most has only been granted in the last 8 years. For that reason many older vehicles that have LED rear lights also have at least one standard filament lamp per circuit so that the vehicle could get type approval.

The use of LED's for indicators was the last to be given type approval and again for that reason you will find many newer cars that have full LED rear lights, except for the indicators which were still a standard 21W filament lamp.

The use of LED's to convert existing Halogen (or other types) to be allowed to use LED's has still not been given type approval as of now !

This thread takes me back to 2019 when before I had fitted the towbar I'd quizzed PFJ about trailer prep all that etc etc and I opted for the Witter Flange type bar and Westfalia kit from them , fearing that Ford's plug adapter might eventually become troublesome/loose and/or lose it completely . 

The ball hitch and 7pin plug are clad by Witter and (wait for it...) MAYPOLE plug cover ! 

Incidentally , I recently had my tired old trailer lights replaced from LED AUTO to MAYPOLE (what was I thinking ?!?)

My new Maypoles are strangely not quite as bright as the old ones . 

19 minutes ago, plasticpat said:

I recently had my tired old trailer lights replaced from LED AUTO to MAYPOLE

Did you use the discount code @StephenFord and get 20% off 🤣

15 minutes ago, unofix said:

Did you use the discount code @StephenFord and get 20% off 🤣

Oh I am but a beginner !  
In any case the plug cover was a mere €6 , the lamps were €25 for the pair from TopPart over this side of ye olde pond . 😎