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I recall reading of someone who had used those nasty little gadgets on a new van to fit a towbar, and subsequently had a wiring problem which appeared to be quite unrelated.
I can't remember the details but neither dealer nor manufacturer would repair the van under warranty, claiming that it had been invalidated by "amateur interference" - or some such phrase.
I don't think you can scotchlok into the electrics with out major issues. It's all CANBUS type stuff that computers are monitoring current and all sorts of things.
I am sure you can buy an electrics kit from Merc but it may well be very expensive and need the Vans software updating.
I would speak to towbar manufacturers and ask them. I am sure they have a box of tricks that makes the trailer lights work correctly.
If yours is the latest 906 series Sprinter built from 2006 on do NOT scotchlock the electrics. as a previous poster said it has CANBUS electrics and you will cause no end of problems with the computer if you use scotchlocks.
The towbar fitters put some sort of relay into the electrics and I would get advice from them or at least get them to do the electrics.
Just had my 316 Merc fitted with towbar by pws in Poole, first class job but a long way to go from Spain
hope this is of some help
Don
Thanks for the replies - I hear what you are saying about the dreaded scotchlocks. Trouble is I don't think there is another way. I recently had a tow bar fitted to my 5 series BMW, I had enquired about a BMW bar but the price was over 2k. I spoke to a couple of towbar fitters and they explained that scotchlocks were the norm even with canbus and led lights etc.
The scothlock connections simply pick up a signal and then a relay supplies the power to the trailer lights. So I had a Witter detachable fitted for about 400.
I had just wandered if anyone here knew of a plug in kit.
THe van in question is the previous shape - pre 2007.
You are correct, scotchlocks are ok if only used inside the vehicle where it stays dry. It is the neatest most appropriate method for what your doing, as you are mearly picking up a signal which goes to the relay which in turn powers your trailer lights.
If you start soldering wires onto your light supply wires then you can cause extra resistance and the lighting ECU will simply switch off that lamp until the fault is rectified like a fuse but without a fuse.
If you obtain a canbus bypass relay you should have few problems wiring it up it's not rocket science.
I recall reading of someone who had used those nasty little gadgets on a new van to fit a towbar, and subsequently had a wiring problem which appeared to be quite unrelated.
I can't remember the details but neither dealer nor manufacturer would repair the van under warranty, claiming that it had been invalidated by "amateur interference" - or some such phrase.
Just a note of caution.
Dave
Ditto - nothing should EVER be a "Scotchlock job" ever - guaranteed trouble later.
Someone else been there - someone else done that - I got the bill to put it right.
______________________________________________________________ Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
I have now spoken with a couple of tow bar companies and there is not a dedicated electrical hook up available for pre 2007 Sprinters. They assure me that scotchlocks, provided that are used correctly are the industry standard.
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