General Multipla wiring?

[HughJarsse]

OK, just bought a 55 plate Multipla JTD Eleganza, and looking to fit a towbar and electrics.
Appears that there is some confusion regarding the electrics, as have been told that vehicle
A) has canbus/miltiplexed wiring and needs a dedicated loom, and
B) no, doesn't have canbus/multiplexed and there is no problem just fitting a 'standard' wiring kit, and
C) that is doesn't have canbus/multiplexed, but does need a 'bypass' relay fitted for safety reasons!!
More than happy to do the work myself (have fitted a few towbars/electrics over the years) but wondered which of the 3 is 'truth' before purchasing any electrical kit(s) Don't mind going the 'dedicated loom' if needed, but don't want to spend money if it is not really needed.

Any input gratefully received!!

 

[HughJarsse]

No one??
Seems like a bit of a 'dead' site here, there don't seem to be many replies, or even posts on this site, sadly.

 

[chris3234]

I think it's more as the multipla is an old car and not too many forum members have one these days

 

[widemouthfrog]

To the best of my knowledge, Multiplas do not have multiplexed wiring. The roundnose (mk1) certainly doesn't and I don't think the mk2 does either but I don't have much experience of the latter.

Have you searched the forum for other threads on towbar recommendations?

You could also try a reputable towbar website likt Witter to see if they have dedicated product information for the Multipla.

 

[HughJarsse]

To the best of my knowledge, Multiplas do not have multiplexed wiring. The roundnose (mk1) certainly doesn't and I don't think the mk2 does either but I don't have much experience of the latter.

Have you searched the forum for other threads on towbar recommendations?

You could also try a reputable towbar website likt Witter to see if they have dedicated product information for the Multipla.

Thanks for the replies, Yes, tried searching the forum, but nothing shows up one way or the other, just basic intructions for fitting a towbar.
RE: trying towbar sites, that's where I come up against the differences.
Contacted Witter, they said I needed a dedicated electrics kit @ £150!! (they would, wouldn't they!)
Towsure say I need to fit a bypass relay, , and Towtrust say I don't need anything, just fit the electrics direct.
As stated, don't mind spending the money if necessary, but don't want to damage electrics by not fitting the right kit.
PS: FIAT UK are no help whatsoever, they don't know!! (and that's after a personal visit to the local dealers!!) :shrug:

 

[widemouthfrog]

What about this thread?:

https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/132690-multipla-towbar-2004-pre-facelift-bug.html

 

[HughJarsse]

What about this thread?:

https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/132690-multipla-towbar-2004-pre-facelift-bug.html

Hi, yes, saw that one, but it appears to be for a pre-facelift, and mine is a 'new face type' which I wondered if different.
Also, noticed he didn't say whether he 'had' to add the bypass, or just did so as he was also adding a 12S socket. I only need 12N for a small trailer and bike rack/light board.
Might just go for the bypass to be safe, and see how it goes I think

 

[martyc5674]

Well mine is a mk1 and the tow bar electrics are spliced into the loom.
Marty.

 

[HughJarsse]

Well mine is a mk1 and the tow bar electrics are spliced into the loom.
Marty.

As in 'directly spliced into the wiring loom with no other bypass or relay's' in the boot area??

Spoken to a local independant caravan shop and they seem to think that my 55 plate (Mark 2) would need a bypass relay, and they would fit one as standard if they were to fit a towbar to it..(They wanted £275 to fit a bar and single electrics, bought a 2nd hand Witter one complete with single electrics for £50)
Direct splicing is easiest, as no need to run additional wiring from battery to power the bypass unit, meaning not having to sort out a long run of cable from front to back of vehicle. Just don't want to do any damage to the ECU's or even set fire to the multi!! by overloading the wiring.

As said, might just fit one anyway, as they are relatively cheap (£16) and take the time to conceal the power wire inside the trim from dash to boot, with an inline fuse straight off the battery.

Would help if the local Fiat dealer was some help, they apparently haven't got a clue!!

 

[martyc5674]

Yes... that’s how mine is wired rightly or wrongly... and I’m certain of it as I stripped back the cables to loom troubleshooting one day. Mine is a mark 1 though...