wiring diagram for a factory fitted removable tow bar electrics - 2009 Cali.

[Vwhoover]

Hi, I am looking for a wiring diagram for a factory fitted removeable tow bar electrics - 2009 Cali. I have needed to replace the socket as it got full of water and rotted out and cause a short. The wire colours don’t match the diagram I am using. Can anyone help please. Thanks in advance.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi, I am looking for a wiring diagram for a factory fitted removeable tow bar electrics - 2009 Cali. I have needed to replace the socket as it got full of water and rotted out and cause a short. The wire colours don’t match the diagram I am using. Can anyone help please. Thanks in advance.

Any help?

To wire a VW Transporter towbar, you will need either a 7-pin or 13-pin configuration depending on whether you are powering a simple trailer or a caravan. Most modern Transporters (T5 and T6) rely on vehicle-specific harnesses that integrate into the BCM (Body Control Module) rather than splicing wires. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Standard 7-Pin Socket Wiring (ISO 1724)
Commonly used for basic lighting like trailers and bike racks. [1, 2]

• Pin 1 (Yellow): Left Direction Indicator
• Pin 2 (Blue): Rear Fog Light
• Pin 3 (White): Earth Return (for Pins 1 to 8)
• Pin 4 (Green): Right Direction Indicator
• Pin 5 (Brown): Right Tail & Number Plate Light
• Pin 6 (Red): Stop Lights (Brake)
• Pin 7 (Black): Left Tail & Number Plate Light [1, 2, 3]

Standard 13-Pin Socket Wiring (ISO 11446)
Required if towing a caravan, as it includes reverse lights and 12V battery charging. [1, 2]

• Pin 1 (Yellow): Left Direction Indicator
• Pin 2 (Blue): Rear Fog Light
• Pin 3 (White): Earth (for Pins 1, 2, and 4-8)
• Pin 4 (Green): Right Direction Indicator
• Pin 5 (Brown): Right Tail / Marker Lights
• Pin 6 (Red): Stop Lights
• Pin 7 (Black): Left Tail / Marker Lights & License Plate Light
• Pin 8 (Pink/Grey): Reversing Light
• Pin 9 (Orange): Permanent 12V Power Supply
• Pin 10 (Grey): 12V Ignition Controlled Charging
• Pin 11 (White/Black): Earth Return for Pin 10
• Pin 12 (White/Blue): (Unassigned) - Signal for trailer detection
• Pin 13 (White/Red): Earth Return for Pin 9 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

 

[lohr500]

Have you already removed the old socket?

If not, why not make a note of the colours/positions of the existing wires before removal and just refit them in the same places on the new plug. This assuming the wires do not follow the ISO standards listed by @WelshGas.

The other option is to use a multimeter and figure out which wires are carrying which signals, again using the tables above.

Was the original socket 7 pin or 13 pin? If 7 pin, I would be tempted to replace it with a partially wired 13 pin socket as the 13 pin sockets are less prone to corrosion. 13 pin to 7pin adaptors are cheap and readily available if you did need to tow anything with the older 7 pin plug.

 

[Vwhoover]

Thank you