Trailer Control Module OEM

[gjas18]

I just bought a 2012 Golf TDI Tech Package (came from a mkv before) and I'm looking into getting a trailer hitch. The hitch is the easy part as I will grab the Westfalia OEM hitch and modify the bumper cover. The difficult part seems to be the wiring. VW sells these cars in Europe with an optional Trailer Control Module that handles the lights and triggers a different ESP program to help with trailer sway (when trailer is connected). My question is does the US variant come with the wiring (CANBUS side) for this module? If not does anyone have a diagram of how this module connects to the car? Even better would be part numbers for the relevant wiring harness/s...

The research I've done seems to point to the rear left trim panel as the location of this module (but I could be wrong). This module does exist in the USA on the Touareg with towing package so getting my hands on one isnt hard. I already know installing the module will involve VCDS programming and that the USA ABS/ESP module have the relevant settings for towing. I just need to know the physical wiring part. I'll post a detailed DIY for wiring it up if I can find out how.

Huge thanks in advance!

 

[ihatespeed]

pf jones sells the wiring, and they have a pretty good set of instructions online.. I thought about it, but is is the 13 pin euro trailer, the extra pins don't = neat things like electric brakes, but caravan things like power for your refrigerator, and euro things like separate brake and turn lights.. the module does live in the left side rear area, and the wires run forward and are pinned into several modules.

curious to see how you fair, personally I wasn't willing to blow the 350 bucks on the harness..

 

[ihatespeed]

I have the westfalia hitch sitting in my living room right now waiting for nicer weather to install along with towing springs, was really hoping to get a factory valance, but it is looking like I too will be modifying my stock bumper.. my plan is to get a sheet of 1/8" abs from mcmaster and glue a lip all the way around the hole to support the cut out piece and clip it in with dzus fasteners..

I'm hoping care, patience, and the fact that its pretty much on the bottom of the car will prevent it from looking like a hack job without a trip to the auto body shop..

Any tips for cutting a nice clean fairly narrow kerf hole in a plastic bumper without destroying the paint would be much appreciated..

 

[Jedadiah]

http://www.jimellisvwparts.com/prod...ing--CONTROL-UNIT-ECU/5169720/1K0907383F.html

Not sure what plug if on the end of this Euro or US, but it is oem. Pricey though.


Cheaper here. http://www.1stvwparts.com/partscat.html

 

[Jedadiah]

I ordered the hitch for my Rabbit directly from Bosal in New Jersey. It took for ever to get it since they shipped to themselves from Belgium to NJ before shipping it to me. They just put it on one of their regular shipments. I bought the fixed model and it only cost me about $125 shipped to my door.

 

[gjas18]

pf jones sells the wiring, and they have a pretty good set of instructions online.. I thought about it, but is is the 13 pin euro trailer, the extra pins don't = neat things like electric brakes, but caravan things like power for your refrigerator, and euro things like separate brake and turn lights.. the module does live in the left side rear area, and the wires run forward and are pinned into several modules.

curious to see how you fair, personally I wasn't willing to blow the 350 bucks on the harness..

The Touareg harness pops out to a standard 7 wire plug, VW even supplies the 7 to 4 wire adapter. The harness and module side is easy since I can get it from the dealer if I really have to. Its the Car side wiring that will be the problem. The real reason I want it is the ESP adaptations. That is probably the main reason the tow rating is so much larger in Europe (3500lbs) vs the 1000lbs or non-existent rating in the US.

 

[gjas18]

I just found out something interesting... The NA Tiguan comes with this trailer prewiring installed into every vehicle. Is there a chance someone with access to ETKA can find the part number for this prewiring? It should just be the bundle coming to the module from wherever it plugs into the CANBUS as there are only two connectors, one to the trailer and one to the car. I might try hitting up a dealer to see if they can get me a part number if I dont have any luck here.

 

[gjas18]

Alright so an update on this... I found a UK site where I can source the westfalia towbar and dedicated electrics that will trigger the stability program and everything. They tap into the CANBUS just the like the vw version. Heres the link to the towbar (non detachable version) https://www.pfjones.co.uk/golf-vi-hatchback-2009-flange-tow-bar-1.html (detachable version) https://www.pfjones.co.uk/golf-vi-hatchback-2009-detachable-tow-bar.html and here is the link to the 7 pin wiring kit https://www.pfjones.co.uk/vag-tow-bar-7-pin-dedicated-wiring-kit-321600300147.html

The link to the manual on the 7 pin appears to be broken but the 13 pin one has a working link http://www.pfjones.co.uk/Wiring_instructions/29270514RC.pdf This manual even has the required VCDS coding listed at the bottom.

Once I install this kit I will post a DIY on how it all goes together.

Oh and total with current conversion rates is a bit over $500 with shipping to the US for the towbar and electrics kit. Not too bad considering how much VW wants for the module and the eurohitch place wants just for the towbar.

 

[Macguyver guy]

Boy, I'm extremely interested in your wiring installation experience. I plan on doing the same with my next Passat TDI. I went to the PFJones pictorial installation diagrams and found it was clear as MUD!!

The instructions are really confusing when it gets to "under the dash" and computer wiring. Lot's of pictures would really help. I've got a VCDS so the coding part should be OK.

I could go with E-Trailers way of hacking up the wiring and adding a brake controller, but it seems like a crude cobble job. By the time your done, it costs more than the VW specific wiring harness thru PFJones.

 

[gjas18]

Yea they arent the best but its not too bad the part that is probably confusing is the golf plus. completely different dash. If you ignore that all you do is pull the brown connector off the cecm and pull three wires replace those with the harnesses

 

[redbarron55]

Did anyone get this hookup working to control the trailer brakes?
I want to get the entire OEM package. I already have the Westfalia hitch and a generic light adapter that I will replace with the Westfalia wiring kit if I can get the brake controller figured out so that the car electronics work as in the European setup.
Anybody?My car is a 2009 JSW. Thanks,

 

[gjas18]

I actually just installed the 13 pin Westfalia controller today, super easy to do. Though you do need a pin removal tool. Have to install 3 new 15 amp fuses (41-43) and piggy back off fuse 4 for switched power or if you don't have fuse 4 you install one. Then you attach CAN Hi, Low, and brake. I haven't tried it with a trailer yet but the car sees it. Only coding required of a 08+ is CAN Gateway install list (add 69 Trailer). Then code the trailer module for North America. If you have PDC or Park Assist like I do then you also code it for a trailer.

In Europe they don't use electronic brakes they use surge brakes. Basically the pressure exerted by the trailer on the ball under braking engages the trailer brakes. Its the same thing the larger Uhaul trailers use. They also don't have safety chains like we do. They have a break away cable that if the trailer becomes detached it breaks and the trailer brakes engage.

 

[redbarron55]

What did you use for the pin removal too or where did you get one?
The VW literature mentions for sway control on the T-ESP the trailer brakes may be engaged while the engine add power without driver intervention and this is not possible with surge brakes.
What are you doing abut brakes if anything?
Or is there some output to an electronic brake controller from the module.

 

[gjas18]

There is no output that I know of. T-ESP is required by law in Europe on any car after 2006 so the car should be capable of it regardless of trailer connected. On my Golf I don't even have to code the ABS module after adding the Trailer Module to enable it. It could be an older version uses the electronic brakes to control trailer sway.

The pin remover I have is a kit from sears it has a whole bunch of removers for different manufacturers. It did have trouble removing the pin for the #4 fuse; didn't have enough force to release the tabs. I ended up splicing it into my amp turn on lead. I will be writing up a guide on how to do the install with pictures.

 

[gjas18]

I posted a DIY for the 13 pin westfalia electrics install... This forum is stupid and wouldn't allow more than 10 pictures so I posted it at http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1963339

 

[kooyajerms]

PFJones has been difficult to contact over google voice. Holiday vacation for some of them it seems.

Can anyone who has received the westfalia kit confirm that the LHD module or RHD module are just the same but only require VCDS coding? They sent me the kit that stats RHD, but if all I need to do is some VCDS work, then no problem, I'll install it.

PN 321600300153

I'd like to install my unit but no one has replied for a week, and they don't get back in till the 4th of January. We have a camping spot in January reserved and I need to get this Shasta hooked up.

Thanks,

Jeremy

 

[gjas18]

I do not know. All I know is they have different part numbers.

PFJones has been difficult to contact over google voice. Holiday vacation for some of them it seems.

Can anyone who has received the westfalia kit confirm that the LHD module or RHD module are just the same but only require VCDS coding? They sent me the kit that stats RHD, but if all I need to do is some VCDS work, then no problem, I'll install it.

PN 321600300153

I'd like to install my unit but no one has replied for a week, and they don't get back in till the 4th of January. We have a camping spot in January reserved and I need to get this Shasta hooked up.

Thanks,

Jeremy

 

[gmcjetpilot]

I just bought and install me Westfalia hitch. See my links below.

PRICES HAVE GONE WAY DOWN.... BOTH the hitch AND 13 pin dedicated wiring together was $311! BARGAIN. I purchased about 3 months ago. The hitch is now $120 USD. The shipping was $122. Total was $433. Getting the cheap generic wiring module (not canbus) where you splice directly into the wires tail light wires, run hot from battery to back, was about $80 cheaper. For the cost savings I went with dedicated wiring. The quality is excellent.

The 13 pin VW dedicated (canbus) wiring requires you program the car with your Ross Tech cable. It will run trailer brakes. It also will tell if you of a short or open (burned out bulb) in the trailer wiring. The VW wiring with 13 pin has switched and un-switched 12 volt pins which can run a charger or refrigerator in travel trailer. You can buy a 7 pin version, but it is not much cheaper. The canbus may do other things like change engine and transmission? Not sure.

To convert from 13 pin to 7 pin is easy. You buy a 13 pin connector from Amazon and 4 pin harness and make up an adapter cable.

Installing the Hitch - Getting the bumper cover off, trimming the cover, installing the hitch, putting it back together took most of a Saturday. I have not fitted the cover yet, which I bought separate. See my thread below for pictures.

The wiring is not done.The biggest part was getting the interior off of routing wires. I have not got under the dash to finish the connections yet, but doing that this weekend, an hour or two I hope. You have to push some wired pins to the plastic connectors.

Hitch installation
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=466440

Wiring - I had a question about the Aux 12 volt power connector
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=471965


PS PF Jones is a great company, highly recommend. When you order be sure to tell them no VAT (Euro Tax).

 

[gmcjetpilot]

PFJones has been difficult to contact over google voice. Holiday vacation for some of them it seems.

Can anyone who has received the westfalia kit confirm that the LHD module or RHD module are just the same but only require VCDS coding? They sent me the kit that stats RHD, but if all I need to do is some VCDS work, then no problem, I'll install it.

PN 321600300153

I'd like to install my unit but no one has replied for a week, and they don't get back in till the 4th of January. We have a camping spot in January reserved and I need to get this Shasta hooked up. Thanks, Jeremy

Yep that is the correct number. I tried to find any alternative numbers and
found someone before bought: 321600300113. When I plug that into PF
Jones search, it says no number found and gives me the number above:
321600300153 for 13 pin or 321600300147 for 7 pin. I am buttoning my
up tomorrow. Also looking at the wiring instructions I have they route the
wires on left (usa) driver side. I have the same harness. Then I looked at
generic wiring info and they route it on left side for UK.

 

[kooyajerms]

My instructions show wiring on the right hand to the fuse box. You probably looked at the wrong instruction manual for the U.K. It definitely shows the wires going from rear left hand side to the front right hand side, or they would have no fuse box to be reaching for. Maybe all I have is more wire and the wrong coding *shrug*.

I'm going to install it tomorrow in the front without fishing it through the interior and see what VCDS shows.

PFJones delayed my order a couple days for my euro 13 wire plug but never told me they were waiting for it to arrive to send the order. I had to ask them what was up. And they also didn't send me the LHD kit even though I said it in my detailed notes. VAT hasn't been refunded either even after multiple emails. Their sales associate isn't much help till their admin or tech arrive January 4th. So I'm not having a stellar experience As you have had with them.

 

[Jedadiah]

The part numbers that end in 53 or 47 are for the right hand drive models. I'm not sure if they are different than the left hand ones, but the instructions are different. PFJones only lists the right hand ones on their site, although they say they can get the left hand models.

When I bought a hitch from them, I didn't use their website. I emailed them and actually paid through PayPal. I got a quote without the VAT, so I didn't worry about a refund. I didn't order my wiring from them, so I can't say if they would have sent the right one.

 

[kooyajerms]

Sandmansans is a blessing from the heavens. Still trying to figure this out but he's been helping tremondously.