Help Please - Tow Bar Electrics

November 19, 2006

Hi,

Just fitted a brink tow bar to our 2003 XT4 Diesel. Took no more than 30mins. Now comes the more difficult bit, the wiring. Simple single electrics with scotch locks.

Please advise where exactly should I be entering (drilling through) into the boot. Which light cluster should I be taking the wire into (which light cluster does the main harness ruh through with both indicators etc) any idea on which couloured wires are what once I get in there. Do I have to take the side sovers off and if so how do I do that, is there any thing I should know about first like clips that are diffiuclt to get off and might break etc.??????????????

Secondly the little stupid brass lock with key that came with this detachable tow bar broke as soon as I inserted it. Is this lock necessary or is it okay without it.

itspilsbury

November 19, 2006

I've never had a key. Always thought it was extra as it's shown as Art no 077760 on my leaflet. It's only to stop anyone being able to remove it but I never leave it on.

The electrics enter the car via the nearside underneath the 12v socket on mine , suspect the side plastic panel needs taking off but mine was dealer fitted when new. Notice that the plastic cover straps securing the cover to the locking mechanism have broke and also that the mechanism was a bit stiff as it hasn't been used for some time.

November 19, 2006

Hi,
Just fitted a brink tow bar to our 2003 XT4 Diesel. Took no more than 30mins. Now comes the more difficult bit, the wiring. Simple single electrics with scotch locks.
Please advise where exactly should I be entering (drilling through) into the boot. Which light cluster should I be taking the wire into (which light cluster does the main harness ruh through with both indicators etc) any idea on which couloured wires are what once I get in there. Do I have to take the side sovers off and if so how do I do that, is there any thing I should know about first like clips that are diffiuclt to get off and might break etc.??????????????
Secondly the little stupid brass lock with key that came with this detachable tow bar broke as soon as I inserted it. Is this lock necessary or is it okay without it.
itspilsbury

All of the instructions for fitting the Toyota tow bar are on the Toyota Publications website. You can see how they route the wiring and how to get the panels off without breaking them.

Hope this helps

November 22, 2006

You need to spread the cable and go up both sides to both rear light clusters, or go up through one side and put wiring across the back end inside. The two sides are wired separately right along the vehicle so you can't get them all together. I drilled through just behind the wheel arches - I have mudfalps so it's shielded there. Make sure the cable is tied up clear of the exhaust - it will be close!

If you bought your bar from Towequipe - best discount price I found - you can get full instructions including wiring colours from their website.

The Toyota website instructions http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/ will show you how to remove the interior panels etc but won't give you the colour codes because it assumes you are using a plug-in harness.

It's not difficult to sort them out visually.

I'm sorry I've lost the instructions from when I did it.

No the key doesn't matter at all, the lock is an option. I never use it, always remove the ball as otherwise it will crunch the bottom of the rear door if opened (unless you got the extra low one which is too low for a 4 wheel trailer).

Mike

November 23, 2006

:thumbsup:

Thanks Guys.

Job Done. I ended up not having to take the side covers off. I took the tow bar cable through the right hand rubber plug in the boot and taped the cable across the floor, under the side panel to the lights. I gained access to the wires through the bulb and tool bag access covers. Then took two single wires under the boot edge trim to the other side and struggled a bit but managed the left hand side through the bulb access panel. All works fine.

Cheers.