151 Passat saloon - adding socket for lighting board

daymobrew

Driving to France soon with 3 bikes on a bike carrier. The lights and number plate will be partially obscured. I've heard that French police are strict so I will need a light board.

What is a good way to install a socket to plug the light board into?
Is it complicated?

colm_mcm

Car would have multiplex wiring so you'll need to get a light module/bypass relay as well as the socket. (Around €50)

blackbox

Yes. There's a few hours work in it if you haven't done it before by the time you locate all the correct wires and connect them into a towing relay.

clogher71

You might need to fit a genuine relay in order to keep your warranty intact, also it may be easier fit and have better instructions than the generic relay !

daymobrew

I found Coby Autos in the Golden Pages. If I supply the socket they will do the wiring. The socket is normally part of the tow bar.

The estimated cost (around 100) is good considering how long it might take me and the potential mistakes.

my friend

daymobrew wrote: »

I found ......possible ad......in the Golden Pages. If I supply the socket they will do the wiring. The socket is normally part of the tow bar.

The estimated cost (around 100) is good considering how long it might take me and the potential mistakes.

An ad or a crazy decision...

Call the salesperson that you bought the car from I'd be surprised if the dealer would be much more than €100 + parts plus you won't affect warranty -

colm_mcm

The genuine VW wiring kit is €299 without fitting and without a towbar. Just saying....

ianobrien

I have heard plenty of stories of people fitting towbars and blowing ECU's due to canbus wiring. You may have to get the proper VW parts to work with the wiring in your car. Also, some 151 Passats have LED in the rear you cant splice into them to take power for the lights in the socket.

OP, I'd be heading to your VW dealer as if you get another company to for it, and youve a problem you could be bounced between VW and the fitter (as they will blame each other).

colm_mcm

I wonder how many dealers actually use the VW loom.
I know the one that sold my relative a new VW didn't.

my friend

colm_mcm wrote: »

The genuine VW wiring kit is €299 without fitting and without a towbar. Just saying....

Not negotiating at time of purchase was the first slip but you're hardly suggesting anyone pays list price on extras/options?

Even if they did they're NOT voiding their warranty on a brand new car by rolling with the authorised dealer / service.

Why do you think the backstreet guy asked the op to source the kit... So €100 for an hours work looks like a better deal - which it ain't.

colm_mcm

At this stage it'd nearly be cheaper to just buy bikes in France and then throw them away

kirving

Had a break in a wire to the boot lid lock a few weeks ago, the ECU went absolutely haywire causing all kinds of unrelated issues.

Not a chance I'd be using anything but genuine parts in a new car with warranty remaining.

Guy:Incognito

colm_mcm wrote: »

At this stage it'd nearly be cheaper to just buy bikes in France and then throw them away

Or get a roof mounted bike rack.

daymobrew

my friend wrote: »

Why do you think the backstreet guy asked the op to source the kit... So €100 for an hours work looks like a better deal - which it ain't.

He only asked me to source the socket, not the rest of the wiring kit. The socket is traditionally part of the hitch.

Tony Beetroot

Do it yourself op, here is a YouTube video on it. Haven't watched it but should be grand.

daymobrew

I saw that video or a similar one. Any time I try stuff like that I encounter something not covered in the video.

I got back onto the dealer and they gave me the number of the place that they use for tow bar installation. They know that a relay is needed because of the LED lights.
I am considering just getting the tow bar put on too - I saw a 4 bike carrier that attaches via a tow bar and it is very simple to install.

I appreciate all the input from everyone.

my friend

Bon voyage!

daymobrew

I ended up going to Towing Equipment Ltd near Long Mile Road to get the socket installed.