Hello
Just a query, someone may be able to offer insight?
I've recently purchased a used 2017 Honda CRV and subsequently had an official Honda towbar and wiring loom fitted. Once it was fitted I noticed 2 things that caused me to raise concerns with the Honda dealer who fitted it.
1. There is no audible turn signal - all my previous tow vehicles had an audible buzzer fitted which sounded along with the indicator (or not - if the trailer indicator was not working). I thought this was some sort of legal requirement, but when I queried this with the dealer they shrugged their shoulders and said it was 'not part of the kit' and they were unaware of any such requirements??
2. When hooked up to the trailer or to the towball mounted bike rack and in reverse, the rear parking sensor goes off - obviously due to the proximity of the trailer/bike rack. I had presumed that as this is an official 'Honda' wiring loom addition, the vehicle would know it was connected and ignor the rear sensor? I seem to remember somewhere in the manual something about the features of the car - 'Trailer Stability Assist' having the ability to know it was towing and adjust the breaking/engine output, if there was too much sway from a caravan/trailer. If this is the case then the 'Brain' of the car must have some sort of input when hooked up to enable this feature, why would the same 'Brain' be unable to ignor the rear parking sensor?
As it is, I can switch off all of the parking sensors on the dashboard, but this seems to me to lack the seamlessness that I would expect should be there, and, of course, leaves me without the other sensors? Once again the Dealer stated that this is how it is?
I guess what i'm really asking is - should I pursue these issues with the dealer or simply resolve myself to be disappointed with the features of a genuine Honda towbar wiring?
Thanks in advance
Audible turn signal was not fitted on mine, when I queried it was told not needed if car has a bulb failure warning system as the dealer fit wiring will also cover any trailer fitted .was also told if I really wanted one they could fit an after market one for me .which I didn't bother once I knew it was ok.
As already mentioned, a lot of newer canbus vehicles don’t have the beeper, they can automatically detect when a bulb is not working and will either flag up a fault on the dash or you will notice the indicators flashing faster as a warning
My understanding is that the hand books that are supplied with some vehicles are not specific to UK models. The hand book I have mentions the trailer sway control even though it is only available on USA models, Meaning that the dealer could be correct in what he says. I would be reluctant to have the computer messed with on my own car, for the sake of hearing the parking sensor when reversing and hitched up, it happens so seldom that its no bother to me. I would rather leave things as they are ,than to have the computer system compromised with all the headaches that would course.
I have had tow bars fitted at independent dealers to a CRV and my current Accord. On both occasions I was advised that fitting the genuine Honda wiring loom was an expensive option that was of little benefit.
As stated, with the genuine loom there is no need to have a warning buzzer as bulb failure should be indicated on the dashboard.
I would have thought that the reversing sensors should cut automatically without the need to switch them off, as without this you are gaining nothing by fitting the Honda wiring.
The 'Trailer Assist' system does not require an electronic message from the caravan as it works independently on the car by measuring the yaw (sway) across the back axle.
Unfortunately as you have discovered, most dealers know little about tow bar wiring and often use an outside tow bar fitter to do the work.
Good to know that the bulb failure issue is taken care of by the car itself without the need for a buzzer - having had this done recently i have not experienced a bulb failure to see what indication i would get, but it's good to know you all think this will be clear to me at the time and is legal.
On the other issue, I completely take the point about having a towbar fitted independently and seriously considered this at the time. Several issues persuaded me to use Honda :
1.The car was still just under the original manufacturers 3 year guarantee (followed by the 'approved warranty') and having to argue over the issue of the fitment of the wiring loom if anything else went wrong with the car just weighed heavy on my mind.
2.I managed to get a bit of a discount on the price by haggling it in with the purchase.
3.By no means least - I presumed the genuine wiring loom would have features such as disabling the rear sensor. Obviously my presumption was ill judged (although it's heartening to find Humberwolf (above) shared my expectation)
I'll certainly make more of an effort to find out if there are any benefits, at all, of using a genuine manufacturers parts next time around.
Thanks again for all your prompt replies, hopefully some other members can read this ahead of making the same decision in the future.
Yep, the VSK should also deactivate Stop-Start, and incorporate the cars alarm system should none authorised detachment of the 13pin plug arise, whilst the vehicle is unattended.
Often dealers will out source the fitting of a tow bar, as they do not have the kit/software to program the VSK to the car, not always a requirement but is in many cases.
Also you should have been advised of the fuse locations, sometimes they are applied to spare slots in the main fuse box, or are separate fuse holders fitted, usually two 15a fuses.
Always handy to carry spare fuses, as simply changing a bulb on the caravan/trailer can blow a fuse, if the ignition is still on, an easy school boy error to make, but frustrating if you don’t have spare fuses to hand, I always pack a few spare fuses in the cars fuse box.
After my Mk 4, towbar wiring was installed, I was left with the problem of a small parasitic battery drain of about 50mA when I switched the ignition off. Not a big problem if you use the car regularly because it gets recharged regularly but it wasn't right.
I checked mine after reading an article on this forum, and, as it turned out, this problem was already known about by Honda who had issued a free upgrade kit to rectify the situation, the kit consisted of a replacement relay and base plus another earth wire if I remember correctly.
I totally agree with the statement that a lot of main dealers service department's knowledge of towing electrics is rather sketchy, to say the least.
Just a mention about 'Genuine' towing electrics, along with many other manufacturers, Honda doesn't actually make their own Genuine kits, they are rebadged ones made in Holland by ECS Electronics.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
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Topic: Honda CRV 2017 Towbar wiring query
via mobile 03/8/2020 at 1:19pm
