Volvo V60 towbar electrics.

[A440]

After fitting a seldom used towbar and electrics, my local Volvo dealer wants over 150 quid to program it!
For about 25 quid, I could buy a universal wiring kit and fit it myself (I've done several over the years to various makes of car) so apart from the car's rear fog light not switching off and the parking sensors disabling, what could possibly go wrong?
Will the car sense something's amiss and cause the conrods to detach themselves and penetrate the bulkhead killing all occupants?

Should I cough up to Volvo and go hungry for a week or two?

[Deck1ng]

I think one of two have tried and failed, I don’t think it’s a matter of just the fog lamps and parking sensors cutting out, but Volvo are renown for being super sensitive when it comes to electrics. There have been a number of treads covering the pitfalls.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by A440

After fitting a seldom used towbar and electrics, my local Volvo dealer wants over 150 quid to program it!
For about 25 quid, I could buy a universal wiring kit and fit it myself (I've done several over the years to various makes of car) so apart from the car's rear fog light not switching off and the parking sensors disabling, what could possibly go wrong?
Will the car sense something's amiss and cause the conrods to detach themselves and penetrate the bulkhead killing all occupants?

Should I cough up to Volvo and go hungry for a week or two?

A lot is likely to go very wrong if you simply join the wires...

You might get away with a relay system, but people have reported issue with those.

You can get third party canbus electric kits but they're mostly limited.

The Volvo system is the only one to correctly adapt the traction control with trailer stability assist. It's well worth the money.

[Easington]

Shop around as I think my dealer charged less than £55 for activating the trailer module

Edit: I paid £111.05 to have the satnav software updated to allow a USB maps update and active the trailer module

[JamesAtthews]

Evening

To add my tuppence worth, I fitted my own towbar and installed it with a generic, canbus friendly relay, and 3 years on, I have had no issues whatsoever. That said, I don't have the stability control updates from going the correct route, but I only have a small trailer.

It was easy to do, I connected it all straight to the official wiring point with blade connectors, so it can be removed without trace if required.

Cheers

[A440]

Update:

I phoned around the nearest 3 Volvo dealers and got quotes between £88 - £150.
Needless to say I chose the cheapest - and furthest (TMS Coventry, about 14 miles from me).

35 mins and 2 complimentary coffees later, sorted.