Genuine VW wiring for towing - need advice

[kwaka]

Hi Guys and Girls
First time VW owner here, although I have now had the car 7 years.

I need some advice regarding what additional wiring (genuine VW) is required when adding a towbar. I have a 2007 TDI Passat wagon and recently bought a genuine VW (Best Bars NZ) 2nd hand towbar with what I thought was all the VW electrics (Westfalia), e.g. module, cable from module to towbar and various adapters. I wanted all genuine so I could just run cables, plug in and know that all was compatible with all existing electrics/ systems.

Unfortunately for me I didn't realise, in normal production, VW dont run the towing pack cables from the fuse box/ CAN to the rear of the car in readiness for a towbar install.

Hence my questions. 1. Does anyone know if the cable I am missing is in fact "pluggable" into the fuse box/ CAN and run to the rear of the car? 2. Anyone know where I could purchase this genuine VW cable separately from the normal towing pack electrics which I already have 70%? VW parts have advised they don't have!

Thanks for advice. I realise there is zillions of posts on towbars/ electrics but I cant find one which answers my questions.

[Umai Naa!!]

You need to buy the full wiring kit either way, whether it's pre-wired or not.

Being an 07, it won't be pre-wired. They're not exactly plug and play, either.

[kwaka]

Thanks Umai Naa

I thought as such!

I have located the below kit and spoke to the guys on the phone who were very helpful. All things considered I think I will get one of these kits, have the guys install it to complete my partial install, update CAN setting and test. I think it will be money well spent considering what I have saved overall.

Thanks again for your comments.

Volkswagen Passat B6 B7 Tow Bar Wiring Module kit LED Towbar VW OEM Westfalia - Australia Tow Bars store

[sports racer]

Excuse my ignorance but back when Jesus played fullback for Jerusalem we just spliced the new wiring into the wiring loom that fed the rear lights. Wouldn't this be the simplest way?

[Mysticality]

Excuse my ignorance but back when Jesus played fullback for Jerusalem we just spliced the new wiring into the wiring loom that fed the rear lights. Wouldn't this be the simplest way?

Simplest?
Yes.
Would it work?
Not on the modern cars.

At cheapest, you would need something like the Hayman Reese light box.

[Umai Naa!!]

Excuse my ignorance but back when Jesus played fullback for Jerusalem we just spliced the new wiring into the wiring loom that fed the rear lights. Wouldn't this be the simplest way?

Tail lights illuminate from a signal generated by the central electrics module. They're a pulse width modulated signal, so won't always be the full 12/14V.

The stop/tail bulb for example, uses one filament for two different light functions. All they do is up the juice, to make it a brake light.

[kwaka]

Yes, I used to do the old splicing trick for everything years ago but wouldn't attempt it on new cars unless I was 100% certain the circuit wouldn't be effected.

As an update - I was lucky enough the guy I bought the towbar off was able to remove the additional wiring I need. Turns out it goes to both the drivers and passengers fuse boxes. Once I receive it I will provide an update on my progress on completing the install.

Thanks again for all the comments.

[seanmau5]

How did you end up going with this?