Technical Ducato Towbar Electrics

[Phil2]

Hi. I have fitted a Towbar to my Ducato 2017. Two issues. 1. I am struggling to find a switched accessory power source. (ie goes off with the ignition ) I can't find a way into the fuse box for a power pick up. ( Does not appear to be decent power cable available at the rear of the vehicle ) 2. How does one disable the reversing sensors when a trailer is connected ? On you tube one video advises cutting the Green/black wire on p6 ;but will this disable the sensor permantely ? I would still like them when a trailer is not present. Very Grateful for any help .Thanks

 

[Sfrain145]

Hi. I have fitted a Towbar to my Ducato 2017. Two issues. 1. I am struggling to find a switched accessory power source. (ie goes off with the ignition ) I can't find a way into the fuse box for a power pick up. ( Does not appear to be decent power cable available at the rear of the vehicle ) 2. How does one disable the reversing sensors when a trailer is connected ? On you tube one video advises cutting the Green/black wire on p6 ;but will this disable the sensor permantely ? I would still like them when a trailer is not present. Very Grateful for any help .Thanks

I am about to fit sensors and a towbar but cant even find a way of removing the rear lights in my camper

 

[Phil2]

On the inside of your rear pillars. Remove the plastic covers and inside you will see a metal winged/boxed nut 17mm socket fits it . Its only one per light cluster. Remove this and your light cluster is then removable from outside. Be careful not to drop the wing nut it is difficult to retrieve. Good Luck

 

[jackwhoo]

I have fitted towing electrics to 2 similar vehicles.
I put the electronic pack in the battery compartment under the front floor, ran all cables under vehicle following the existing wiring. Run wires back from rear lights to electronic unit - it is smartest way.

Can't remember where I picked up switched live ....or if I needed one

 

[Ducato 2017 conversion]

I have fitted towing electrics to 2 similar vehicles.
I put the electronic pack in the battery compartment under the front floor, ran all cables under vehicle following the existing wiring. Run wires back from rear lights to electronic unit - it is smartest way.

Can't remember where I picked up switched live ....or if I needed one

I just fitted a dedicated towbar electrics setup to my 2017 ducato camper conversion… they advertised “plug and play” but it definitely was not… had to do quite a bit of splicing into wire cluster near OBD unit and also on two wires at the back of the OBD unit… since then my Can-bus system had gone crazy… showing many faults and went into limp mode ( all wires are connected as indicated in manual) the mechanic said it’s the electronic pack that’s causing the faults… any advise?

You methods seems to be just like mine expect i didn’t run wires from the rear lights to the electronic unit ( the manual didn’t instruct this)

 

[Sfrain145]

I just fitted a dedicated towbar electrics setup to my 2017 ducato camper conversion… they advertised “plug and play” but it definitely was not… had to do quite a bit of splicing into wire cluster near OBD unit and also on two wires at the back of the OBD unit… since then my Can-bus system had gone crazy… showing many faults and went into limp mode ( all wires are connected as indicated in manual) the mechanic said it’s the electronic pack that’s causing the faults… any advise?

You methods seems to be just like mine expect i didn’t run wires from the rear lights to the electronic unit ( the manual didn’t instruct this)

Fitted the factory sensors to the rear that was pretty simple no messing about and then the fun was towbar electrics it was even easier just daisy chain into the existing lights fit a few modules with double sided tape find an earth and run a wire to the battery like they describe in the instructions. All works a treat. I think it’s the type of kit people buy

 

[Ducato 2017 conversion]

sounds like your kit is different from mine… I think I may have to remove mine and get one that’s not messing with the canbus… which one did you get?

There seems to be several “dedicated” types on eBay for ducato. The one I got was ECS Electronics so I thought it would be legit… but there is no connection to the rear lights.. all connections are up front except for the sensor wire, which is optional if you are a sensor on/off switch like I have

 

[theoneandonly]

To get a switched live i used a piggyback fuse holder from ebay. No need to attack the rear of the fusebox.
All the towbar electronics are in the battery box. with additional fuses alongside battery.

 

[Sfrain145]

sounds like your kit is different from mine… I think I may have to remove mine and get one that’s not messing with the canbus… which one did you get?

There seems to be several “dedicated” types on eBay for ducato. The one I got was ECS Electronics so I thought it would be legit… but there is no connection to the rear lights.. all connections are up front except for the sensor wire, which is optional if you are a sensor on/off switch like I have

View attachment 429212View attachment 429213

That is the one I have it’s simple it simply piggy backs onto your rear lights then you run the live under the vehicle to the battery. Or ring them guys they are really helpful

 

[Ducato 2017 conversion]

That is the one I have it’s simple it simply piggy backs onto your rear lights then you run the live under the vehicle to the battery. Or ring them guys they are really helpful

Hello Sfrain145,
I am not sure this is the one you have… this doesn’t piggy back off the rear lights… you need to take another look. This involves splicing into the wire loom under the dashboard behind the OBD socket