Help Required from WIS and STAR experts: W164 towbar

[Bobby Dazzler]

I would be really grateful if someone with access to WIS and/or STAR can help me out.

I need to get hold of the towbar fitting instructions for the W164 ML.

Specifically I need to find out:

• I believe STAR coding is required, but what must be enabled and 'where'?
• Will 13 pin electrics only work AFTER coding?
• What are the two separate thin brown & white wires for? (photos to follow)

It would be great if I could get a PDF copy of the instructions.

All help very gratefully received!


Background as to why I want this information can be found here:
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/138411-retrofit-towbar-w164-ml63-amg.html

 

[whitenemesis]

You have a pm/email ....

 

[d w124]

I thought tow bar was a NO NO on AMG cars?!!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I thought tow bar was a NO NO on AMG cars?!!

Dash - that's what everyone thinks, including the manufacturers and fitters!!

It is a no no if they're not type approved or "homologated" to tow, and the vast majority aren't. The ML63 is homologated - I had to supply a photo and details from the chassis plate to prove it to Westfalia.

The only AMGs which are homologated to tow are the the ML55 and ML63. Also, cars registered before 1997/8 don't need to have been homologated to fit a towbar, so C36s or E36s would be fine!!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

:bannana:

I don't want to speak too soon, but I think whitenemesis has hit the jackpot!!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Here are the brown and white wires I mentioned. Any idea what they're for?

View attachment 32063​

 

[jaymanek]

What did whitenemesis say?!

I have a good towbar fitter I use, couple of young lads but they are cheap and they very experienced.. If you havent already booked.

p.s. are you sure it wont just rip the caravan to bits? I have visions of you racing a cayenne and leaving the back half of the caravan on the A5...

 

[whitenemesis]

BD has already fitted the tow bar (check the link in the first post)

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

What did whitenemesis say?!

I have a good towbar fitter I use, couple of young lads but they are cheap and they very experienced.. If you havent already booked.

p.s. are you sure it wont just rip the caravan to bits? I have visions of you racing a cayenne and leaving the back half of the caravan on the A5...

WN shared the WIS fitting instructions, and it ends with the items which must be configure with STAR - rear SAM specifically.

As WN mentioned, it's on the car now, ready to go, so I'm booked in at the dealer for something else, so I've asked that they configure for the towbar whilst STAR is hooked up.

It will be interesting to see how it tows. A good point though: I must refrain from drag racing in the traffic light grand prix when the caravan is attached!!

 

[whitenemesis]

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Click to enlarge the photo:

View attachment 32677

It's the rear SAM (fuse box) in a W164.

Can anyone identify the relay 11 shown in the photo?

Unfortunately I'm away from home and the car at the moment.

I need to find what it does, and ideally a part number for it.

I do know it's not the same as relay 12

 

[jaymanek]

Trailer Socket Supply Relay..

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Jay, thanks for the quick reply. I don't suppose you know what Relay 12 does?

I guessed one was the supply and one was something else, but connected in some way.

The relays were missing from the fitting kit, and the replacements they've sent me are both the same and fit only Relay 12.

 

[jaymanek]

Your 12 is listed as "Trailer Socket Supply Relay" too!

They are probably standard relays...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks Jay.

Mmm. That might explain why they sent two of the same relays!!

Unfortunately the 'socket' for relay 12 looks just like the socket for relay 11, albeit with provision for one less 'blade'.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Arghhhh. Dealer provided a relay which fits the socket for 11 and a different one for 12 but they guessed which, not based on anything scientific.

Unless the dealer didn't code the rear SAM to enable towing electrics, then I think one or both of the relays is incorrect.

Can anyone find out what the part numbers are for the two relays in positions 11 and 12 in photo above please? Both relate to towing electrics.

It's a 2007 W164 ML63 AMG

 

[richard]

It's the rear SAM (fuse box) in a W164.

Rear SAM and fusebox are different in W164. Fusebox is obvious, rear SAM is underneath it and completely separate)

R

 

[richard]

Can anyone find out what the part numbers are for the two relays in positions 11 and 12 in photo above please? Both relate to towing electrics.
It's a 2007 W164 ML63 AMG

What is the letter on the relay socket (relays should have letters not numbers)

From EPC

K, R A002 542 26 19
O,V,L A002 545 11 19 (NB, relay in L is marked as for code 550, Towbar)
S,T,U A002 542 81 19
P 20A A003 542 02 19 (used to be A004 545 29 05)
P A002 542 12 19 (yes, EPC shows 2 different relays for position P)
M,N A002 542 13 19
Starting Control Relay: A002 542 23 19

Given most relays are for multi positions, you can compare with other relays to ensure you are correct !!

Richard

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Richard, you're the man.

Spooky. I've just been googling your posts as our resident expert. Mrs D is in the car now, doing the school run but I'll check when she gets back?

Based on your last post, only relay in position L is required for towbar electrics then?

This document suggests two relays.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Based upon the photo from WIS, the corresponding positions are U (top left) and L (bottom right). I can't even see position L!!