[SGT]

Hi all,Anyone else had problems with the 13 pin electrics and getting power to the caravan and fridge. Asked the dealer to fit the Vauxhall bar and 13 pin socket, told them it is for caravan towing. They double checked with Vauxhall, as we had similar problem with last Antara, and was told it's the correct harness. Got home and plugged into the van - no fridge power (Engine was running), did have 12v live which was an improvement on the last one. Contacted dealer, they asked if they could check, fair enough, they concurred. Apparently after several calls to Vauxhall they eventually came up with another harness with is not mentioned on the fitting kit or the maintenance packs. Seems weird!! Dealer very helpful but frustrated. New harness on order. I got to see their fitting instructions, nothing written, ikea like pictures. Will keep you updated.

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[Grumps]

If I remember its two harnesses. One to the factory fitted plug for your lights and the other runs direct to the battery for power. That's your internal power.

 

[SGT]

That was true for the older versions but for the updated version (2012> I think) it is a harness and some engine module programming. According to my dealer.< ="cosymantecnisbfw" co="cs" id="SILOBFWID" style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block;">

 

[Grumps]

That was true for the older versions but for the updated version (2012> I think) it is a harness and some engine module programming.  According to my dealer.< ="cosymantecnisbfw" co="cs" id="SILOBFWID" style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block;">

No this was discussed elsewhere and was found to be nonsense. A few guys bought harnesses off of eBay and connected them up with no problems. All dash lights working etc.

Just Anither dealer tale to get more money from us. A bit like telling us your warranty would be void if you don't have your tow bar fitted by your dealer who 99% of time then send them out to get fitted by someone else. That's probably why your dealer don't know what they are talking about.

I had the same problem getting a SatNav fitted. The dealer had someone else come in and fit it!!!!Edited by: Grumps

 

[piddy]

This appears to be the latest problemfrom many manufacturers. I ordered the Vauxhalltowbar and electricsto be fitted when the vehicle was new. VX supplied a wiring harness but for road lights only. The dealer didn't know this.End result was a visit to a towbar company to get it sorted. WhenI asked the towbar company about this they said it was common practice now with most manufacturers.

I explained the whole situation to thesales manager of the dealership who admitted he didn't know much about caravans but did admit he knew abouttheexistance ofa black plug and a grey plug. he is now a much wiser man.


As Grumps says aboveno reprogramming is required, the wiring harness is in effect " plug inand play ".




Edited by: piddy

 

[johnmeds]

I got my 13 pin towbar fitted by a towbar fitter and watched most of it being done. From what I could see, He wired it up the oldfashionedway with a relay in the back to cover everything.Got no trouble so far.
The fitters was LNB Towbars near Bristol. They are on Facebook if you want to have a look.

 

[KenB]

I know this thread is over a month old but I may be able to add a little:

Recently took possession of my new Antara.
Checked with Lookers ( Vauxhall Dealer ) and yes - they do sub-contract the work to a tow bar fitting firm. ( and take their cut too !! )


I got a local mobile fitter to do the job.
He knew what he was talking about as he had been in business fitting tow bars for years.
He informed me that to comply with the warranty - he needed to fit a separate loom and not "tap" into existing wiring.


I went for a detachable tow-ball.


The whole job took less than 2 hours - including a coffee break.
It cost about 2/3 of what Lookers were quoting!

 

[SGT]

Hi all,ended up being sent to a local tow bar company. They fitted their harness and, after a quick check, everything seems ok now. One towing trip so far and it seems better than the older version, more economical. Next trip should give a better idea, off to Europe. Thanks for the comments.
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[mikehotglove]

Hi,This might explain my problem.
I had a detatchable towbar fitted by a local firm to my new Antara as ordered with the dealer.
I had recently noticed the caravan fridge was not working when hooked up.Thinking it was a problem with the fridge, I mentioned it when the caravan went for service and they replaced a board on the fridge only to find out it was still not working when I collected it even though they say it was working on their 12v test board ?
I am also suspicious of the caravan battery charger connection as the display lights in the caravan say battery level is low even after a towing trip which I would normally expect it to charge more.
Think I will pay a visit to the firm who fitted the towbar to see what they think.
Mike

 

[piddy]

I had the same problem...Charging and fridge circuit was not wired up in towbar socket.

I asked dealer for 13 pin electrics when they fitted the towbar..The VX dedicated wiring harness only comes with wires for road lights...Charge circuit wiring is an " extra ".

I just wonder which part of " THIRTEEN " they don't understand.

went to a local company who sorted it for £72 and VX dealer paid the bill

 

[paul s]

hi from Paul

I also had the same problem, i bought an antara with a 13 pin socket expecting full electrics, and they only wired up the road lights, dealer sorted it out and footed the bill

 

[chrisg]

I had the same problem...Charging and fridge circuit was not wired up in towbar socket.

I asked dealer for 13 pin electrics when they fitted the towbar..The VX dedicated wiring harness only comes with wires for road lights...Charge circuit wiring is an " extra ".

I just wonder which part of " THIRTEEN " they don't understand.

went to a local company who sorted it for £72 and VX dealer paid the bill

That I do believe. In other words, they have fitted the 7 workingpins ,as per 12S and 12N sockets.

 

[Diamond Dave]

chrisg, see thread "towbar and electrics" on "towing" for more details.