V50 13 Pin Socket and Loom

DMACKUK · May 27th, 2011, 18:45

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction here.

I have a V50 fitted with with Volvo towbar and trailer module and 7 pin socket but my new caravan has a 13 pin socket so I need to change the car electrics to suit.

Does any one know if a non Volvo 13 pin socket will fit the tow bar plate and if it is a simple job to rewire the connector into the trailer module?

Alternatively, where I might buy a Volvo 13 pin socket and loom for less than a kings ransom?

Many thanks

kevinbis · May 27th, 2011, 18:57

Take a look on EBay and get an adaptor. !3 pin to 7 pin.
Any trailer shop should have them but probably cost a bit more.

I bought this one and it done the job a treat.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=170612853084

DMACKUK · May 27th, 2011, 19:14

Thanks for the advice regarding adaptors but I have read about problems with excess length etc, so I am looking to keep everything nice and tidy. Not sure how much an adapter will cost but if I can change the socket and wiring on the car for under £30 I will be happy enough.

Having now looked at your link, I see that the adapter will allow direct connection of my 7 pin car socket into the 13 pin on the caravan. Will this allow full operation of ancillaries, reverse lights etc?

Drivelupo · May 27th, 2011, 20:39

Hi Dmack, the best thing to do is pick up a 13 pin socket from your local caravan shop they normally retail for around £10.00. I did this job myself at the start of the season after the adapter came loose and burnt through the cable on our last trip. All of the pin numbers and colours are the same on both 7 and 13 pin sockets and they are quite easy to fit. You didn't say if you had an extra 7 pin socket for the fridge etc. Normally the reverse runs through this socket, if you have one disconnect and wire up to the 13 pin socket in the same way.

I've got a diagram somewhere i'll dig it out and try and post it.

Drivelupo · May 28th, 2011, 11:58

Hi Dmack I got these from the Towbex website and apart from having their logo on are exactly the same ones I use in printed format. I've included the 7 pin both the normal (for road lights etc) and the supplimental (for fridge / reverse). The coulours may vary slightly depending on the cable used, so I always go by the numbers. The sockets are well marked.

Hope they help.

DMACKUK · May 28th, 2011, 13:08

DRIVELUPO,

Many thanks for posting the wiring diagrams, still not sure whether to rewire myself or bite the bullet and purchase a Volvo loom which will be much easier to fit by simply removing the bumper - but a lot more costly.

Drivelupo · May 28th, 2011, 14:34

Hi Dmack, the wiring to the exsisting socket is exactly the same as the wiring required for the 13 pin socket, there is no need to buy a loom as you put it. All you need to do is dismantle the 7 pin socket 3 screws under the main cover held by 8 mm nuts at the rear of the plate. The socket comes apart and you can then unscrew the individual wiring connectors.

Once the 7 pin socket has been removed thread the wires through the 13 pin housing and gromet and connect all of the wires 1 - 7 into the 13 pin housing the insert into the main body before screwing the lot onto the exsiting back plate using the original crews ant nuts. Finally test each pin using a test lamp.

If you have two 7 pin plugs thread both cables through the gromet and connect as per the diagram. The main vehicle wiring is the black cable and the supplimental is the grey cable, note that not all the pins are used no. 12 is spare, and don't connect any two pins together pins 3, 11 & 13 are all earths.

Drivelupo · May 28th, 2011, 15:03

Dmack found this additional diagram.

might help

DMACKUK · May 28th, 2011, 19:14

DriveLupo,

Thanks again for this, it clarifies the situation where I am converting 7 pin to 13 pin on the caravan side - BUT my problem is on the car side which only has a single 7 pin plug.

I have studied the wiring diagram for the tow bar module fitted to the car and it appears on paper as though I can utilise the outputs to the 7 pin plug and bridge where necessary, to provide suitable feeds to all the pins on a 13 pin plug.

My concern, having opened up the trailer module and seen that all the socket pins feed internally onto a PCB is that some of the module 13 pin feeds are switched or have a relay in their circuit and by just bridging the 7 pin feed out, I may bypass a protection relay.

It appears that unless a guru on here can allay my fears in this regard, I will probably have to contact Simon at FRF and order a new cable.

Can't thank you enough for your help though. From reading other posts on this forum, it seems members are all keen to help one another which can only be a good thing if it helps fellow members to save money in these tight times.

Drivelupo · May 29th, 2011, 19:24

Dmack the wiring on your car is exactly the same no matter wich socket is fitted. The sockets are only the termination point for the caravan plug to go into. When you fit a 13 pin plug you utilise the same cable that had 7 wires from the original socket, in fact the pin numbers are exactly the same. The other cable will have either 5 or 6 wires inside which are then wired into the 13 pin socket. This way instead of having two 7 pin sockets on your car, you will have one 13 pin socket.

Dismantle the 7 pin socket and not the cable module.

can you post the wiring diagram and i can have a look for you.

May 27th, 2011, 18:45	#1
DMACKUK New Member Last Online: Nov 7th, 2012 10:32 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Livingston	V50 13 Pin Socket and Loom Hoping someone can point me in the right direction here. I have a V50 fitted with with Volvo towbar and trailer module and 7 pin socket but my new caravan has a 13 pin socket so I need to change the car electrics to suit. Does any one know if a non Volvo 13 pin socket will fit the tow bar plate and if it is a simple job to rewire the connector into the trailer module? Alternatively, where I might buy a Volvo 13 pin socket and loom for less than a kings ransom? Many thanks

May 27th, 2011, 18:57	#2
kevinbis VOC Member Last Online: Feb 2nd, 2017 10:58 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Shoeburyness, Essex View Photos By: kevinbis	Take a look on EBay and get an adaptor. !3 pin to 7 pin. Any trailer shop should have them but probably cost a bit more. I bought this one and it done the job a treat. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=170612853084 __________________ Volvo V70 T5 CD 1997 Audi TT 2003 Last edited by kevinbis; May 27th, 2011 at 19:15.

May 27th, 2011, 19:14	#3
DMACKUK New Member Last Online: Nov 7th, 2012 10:32 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Livingston	Thanks for the advice regarding adaptors but I have read about problems with excess length etc, so I am looking to keep everything nice and tidy. Not sure how much an adapter will cost but if I can change the socket and wiring on the car for under £30 I will be happy enough. Having now looked at your link, I see that the adapter will allow direct connection of my 7 pin car socket into the 13 pin on the caravan. Will this allow full operation of ancillaries, reverse lights etc? Last edited by DMACKUK; May 27th, 2011 at 19:38.

May 28th, 2011, 14:34	#7
Drivelupo New Member Last Online: Jun 4th, 2011 12:31 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grangemouth	Swapping the socket Hi Dmack, the wiring to the exsisting socket is exactly the same as the wiring required for the 13 pin socket, there is no need to buy a loom as you put it. All you need to do is dismantle the 7 pin socket 3 screws under the main cover held by 8 mm nuts at the rear of the plate. The socket comes apart and you can then unscrew the individual wiring connectors. Once the 7 pin socket has been removed thread the wires through the 13 pin housing and gromet and connect all of the wires 1 - 7 into the 13 pin housing the insert into the main body before screwing the lot onto the exsiting back plate using the original crews ant nuts. Finally test each pin using a test lamp. If you have two 7 pin plugs thread both cables through the gromet and connect as per the diagram. The main vehicle wiring is the black cable and the supplimental is the grey cable, note that not all the pins are used no. 12 is spare, and don't connect any two pins together pins 3, 11 & 13 are all earths.

May 29th, 2011, 19:24	#10
Drivelupo New Member Last Online: Jun 4th, 2011 12:31 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grangemouth	Dmack the wiring on your car is exactly the same no matter wich socket is fitted. The sockets are only the termination point for the caravan plug to go into. When you fit a 13 pin plug you utilise the same cable that had 7 wires from the original socket, in fact the pin numbers are exactly the same. The other cable will have either 5 or 6 wires inside which are then wired into the 13 pin socket. This way instead of having two 7 pin sockets on your car, you will have one 13 pin socket. Dismantle the 7 pin socket and not the cable module. can you post the wiring diagram and i can have a look for you. Last edited by Drivelupo; May 29th, 2011 at 19:37. Reason: Spelling mistake and request more info

May 27th, 2011, 20:39	#4
Drivelupo New Member Last Online: Jun 4th, 2011 12:31 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grangemouth	Hi Dmack, the best thing to do is pick up a 13 pin socket from your local caravan shop they normally retail for around £10.00. I did this job myself at the start of the season after the adapter came loose and burnt through the cable on our last trip. All of the pin numbers and colours are the same on both 7 and 13 pin sockets and they are quite easy to fit. You didn't say if you had an extra 7 pin socket for the fridge etc. Normally the reverse runs through this socket, if you have one disconnect and wire up to the 13 pin socket in the same way. I've got a diagram somewhere i'll dig it out and try and post it.

May 28th, 2011, 13:08	#6
DMACKUK New Member Last Online: Nov 7th, 2012 10:32 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Livingston	DRIVELUPO, Many thanks for posting the wiring diagrams, still not sure whether to rewire myself or bite the bullet and purchase a Volvo loom which will be much easier to fit by simply removing the bumper - but a lot more costly.

May 28th, 2011, 19:14	#9
DMACKUK New Member Last Online: Nov 7th, 2012 10:32 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Livingston	DriveLupo, Thanks again for this, it clarifies the situation where I am converting 7 pin to 13 pin on the caravan side - BUT my problem is on the car side which only has a single 7 pin plug. I have studied the wiring diagram for the tow bar module fitted to the car and it appears on paper as though I can utilise the outputs to the 7 pin plug and bridge where necessary, to provide suitable feeds to all the pins on a 13 pin plug. My concern, having opened up the trailer module and seen that all the socket pins feed internally onto a PCB is that some of the module 13 pin feeds are switched or have a relay in their circuit and by just bridging the 7 pin feed out, I may bypass a protection relay. It appears that unless a guru on here can allay my fears in this regard, I will probably have to contact Simon at FRF and order a new cable. Can't thank you enough for your help though. From reading other posts on this forum, it seems members are all keen to help one another which can only be a good thing if it helps fellow members to save money in these tight times.

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