I have had an Insignia 2 litre DTI for 2 months now and am pleased with it.
Now need to get a towbar fitted with 13 pin electrics. I know the electric wiring kits are available but if it is fitted by an independant fitter I have read I need to have a dealer download carried out. Is this correct ?, what happens if I do not ?
the westfalia product manual says that the car specific loom does need activation....unfortunatly they dont always publish the full instructions, so i cant verify what this is.
as i understand it, as it uses a CAN bus system the car needs to be told that a towbar might be in use, and as grampian says this is to disable a few things....it also activates the sounder or warning device that is required now in the event of a lamp failure...it might also change some of the engine management and temprature controls for the engine....only a vauxhall dealer can tell you what.
i would also suggest a quick call/email to towequipe as i always find them helpful...it might not need a car specific loom and a relay set-up might work just as well.
Don't risk the bypass relay route which is what some towbar fitters are installing, a colleague at work went down this route for 12n fitting and the car acted very strange afterwards so has had it removed. I have booked my car for towbar installation and have specified the Vauxhall wiring kit for 13pin. I have also enquired at the dealers regarding the software download they have quoted £50 for it. This is a must if you have stabililiy control on your caravan but it also can change engine management,abs and disable fog lights and reverse sensors etc. on the car.
insignia is cambus multiplexing electonics,you could fit bypass relays i do no problem,if u dont no what you are doing dont try, u could cause the car to do silley things.i have fitted witter plug in looms on ealier models with no down load and vauxhall own,check with witter technical for the new model.
I too read that a Zafira required a dealer download to recognise tow bar electrics. Vauxhall/Opel plug in electrics fitted & booked it in (estimated cost £30). Technician plugged in the comp & said everthing is working & a car of this age (07) would have software included during build. If he's right he knows something that his management don't. No charge was made. Have not tested it yet to see who is correct - time will tell.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Insignia towing electrics
