Towing a caravan . Cooling issues ?

[Delboy0127]

You might get away with just using XENTRY (Star) to change the towbar type (without having to change the module/wiring). I'd suggest using a MB specialist, not MB because I suspect they'll refuse!

Sincere thanks for help and guidance.

 

[ALFAitalia]

This also included a new 13 pin socket. Following fitment of the new Towbar a dashboard warning light came on , Which now constitutes a MOT failure as advised by Mercedes by email.
The car has been on the Star machine and Mercedes advice the only way to remove the warning is to switch off the Towbar electrics which then disconnects the wiring to the new socket.
It appears the company that fit the Tow bar used the existing wiring from the old socket and wired the new socket with this wiring, as I understand nothing else was changed

Which is also an MOT failure. The towbar and wiring is part of the test... if its there it has to work....and if it's removed the metal towbar had to be removed or be impossible to use.
So switching it off is not the answer.

 

[Delboy0127]

You might get away with just using XENTRY (Star) to change the towbar type (without having to change the module/wiring). I'd suggest using a MB specialist, not MB because I suspect they'll refuse!

Hi Jason Had a lot of thought on this one. This car came with a factory fit deployable towbar, meaning all the dedicated wiring is already in the car. So what would a new dedicated wiring loom do different. I think the answer lyes in the sensor that tells the system the Towbar is deployed. As to where that is can anyone help who is familiar with the Mercedes star system , or can anyone offer advice on this one.

 

[jasonh]

"Factory fit" towbars aren't always fitted in the factory. That's definitely the case with Lexus! They're just fitted by the manufacturer, or even dealer, before you get the car.

What you have is a towbar module\ecu that connects to the car's CAN bus and then has the wiring to the socket. The factory fit one will be an MB module and one that can deploy, retract and respond to the status of the deployable towbar. If the car isn't commanding the deployment, or querying the status of, the towbar then the module may still do exactly what you need. It all depends on the firmware inside the module, if for example it needs the "activate" command to turn on the 13 pin socket then it won't work. If the 13 pin socket is live all the time anyway then you could get away with the same module. If the same module is used for deployable and non-deployable towbars then you should be fine.

An aftermarket module (one that doesn't need coding in) is passive. It just listens to the CAN bus for commands to operate the indicators etc. It may inject a "bulb blown" message but it's not talking with the car with regard to the towbar being deployed or not deployed.

The people who fitted your towbar will have obviously disconnected the wires to the towbar (rather than the 13 pin socket). There probably will only be 2 or 3 wires, one may be GND, one to power the motor and one for feedback. It's the feedback one that needs the fudge. Although if the module is really clever it may also be monitoring the current to the motor.

Unfortunately none of the above is definitive, it needs further investigation.

 

[Delboy0127]

"Factory fit" towbars aren't always fitted in the factory. That's definitely the case with Lexus! They're just fitted by the manufacturer, or even dealer, before you get the car.

What you have is a towbar module\ecu that connects to the car's CAN bus and then has the wiring to the socket. The factory fit one will be an MB module and one that can deploy, retract and respond to the status of the deployable towbar. If the car isn't commanding the deployment, or querying the status of, the towbar then the module may still do exactly what you need. It all depends on the firmware inside the module, if for example it needs the "activate" command to turn on the 13 pin socket then it won't work. If the 13 pin socket is live all the time anyway then you could get away with the same module. If the same module is used for deployable and non-deployable towbars then you should be fine.

An aftermarket module (one that doesn't need coding in) is passive. It just listens to the CAN bus for commands to operate the indicators etc. It may inject a "bulb blown" message but it's not talking with the car with regard to the towbar being deployed or not deployed.

The people who fitted your towbar will have obviously disconnected the wires to the towbar (rather than the 13 pin socket). There probably will only be 2 or 3 wires, one may be GND, one to power the motor and one for feedback. It's the feedback one that needs the fudge. Although if the module is really clever it may also be monitoring the current to the motor.

Unfortunately none of the above is definitive, it needs further investigation.

Good morning Jason

We are on the same wavelength 100% My near neighbour owns a restoration company and employs a guy that does all of the rewiring in classic cars along with the wiring to accident damaged vehicles He also has access to the Mercedes Star system that he very conversant with. I have printed off a full Oris towbar installation and wiring diagram that may also assist. ORIS-NO. 10076991 WEB SITE was PF Jones Could I ask if you have a minute to perhaps have a look and Identify the module you are referring to, you have been most helpful for which I thank you most sincerely .

 

[jasonh]

Please can you give me a link or attach the PDF to your post. I had a look at PF Jones but navigating to the document you mention wasn't obvious.

 

[Delboy0127]

Please can you give me a link or attach the PDF to your post. I had a look at PF Jones but navigating to the document you mention wasn't obvious.

https://www.rameder.eu/out/media/193641-36202-1-samples-v2.pdf
MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS Oris towbar retractable incl. 13 pin E-set - year of make 01.16-10.23 | Rameder towbar.
Scroll down to Installation instructions right hand side column

My Car Mercedes Eclass 220d S213 10/16 on ESTATE

Sincere thanks for your very helpful input

 

[jasonh]

So I think you're saying this is the effectively the original installation. If so I'd be looking to do this:

The white module labelled CFC looks to be dealing with the 13 pin socket, indicators etc. Leave that alone, should be fine with a retractable and non-retractable towbar.

Fortunately the physical towbar operation isn't part of the same module, it's done by the black module marked JAEGER STC.

What I'd try is unplugging the black module and coding the car for a fixed towbar (you'll probably have to "remove" the deployable towbar first with XENTRY before then "adding" a fixed towbar).

 

[Delboy0127]

So I think you're saying this is the effectively the original installation. If so I'd be looking to do this:

The white module labelled CFC looks to be dealing with the 13 pin socket, indicators etc. Leave that alone, should be fine with a retractable and non-retractable towbar.

Fortunately the physical towbar operation isn't part of the same module, it's done by the black module marked JAEGER STC.

What I'd try is unplugging the black module and coding the car for a fixed towbar (you'll probably have to "remove" the deployable towbar first with XENTRY before then "adding" a fixed towbar).

Jason you have been very helpful for which I thank you most sincerely.

I have to wait a couple of weeks to get it onto the star machine.

I will post a reply to you has to how we get on once completed