JJ0063’s current steed - Life of an impulsive car owner [N47 CHAIN GANG]

10,225 · March 9

57 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

So it’s been a good couple of weeks since floodgate on the BMW and I’ve been using it regularly with no issues.

Drove to the NEC and back today 140 miles each way with no issues sat at 52MPG and ate the miles up lovely so we’ll take that as a “it must be fine” 🙌

Definatly post that under never happened now JJ!

12,257 · March 10

Not sure why I need it, but saw a detachable tow bar and electrics local today for £85 so grabbed it - sure it’ll come in handy one day….

1,244 · March 10

^^ Is this the first step to being in denial about being a closet caravaner…⛺️

10,225 · March 10

21 minutes ago, S2000 said:

^^ Is this the first step to being in denial about being a closet caravaner…⛺️

Dare say he will kick off with something low level like a trailer tent before giving in and going full Swift GT

12,257 · March 10

27 minutes ago, S2000 said:

^^ Is this the first step to being in denial about being a closet caravaner…⛺️

Absolutely not 😂 my deeds also don’t allow me to keep a caravan on my driveway!

When I had a towbar on my Mk6 Golf I used to buy the odd trailer and tart up and sell, but of extra pocket money won’t go a miss!

13,044 · March 11

4 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

Absolutely not 😂 my deeds also don’t allow me to keep a caravan on my driveway!

When I had a towbar on my Mk6 Golf I used to buy the odd trailer and tart up and sell, but of extra pocket money won’t go a miss!

King of the road? :).🎶

11,993 · March 11

11 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

Absolutely not 😂 my deeds also don’t allow me to keep a caravan on my driveway!

I knew someone like that.

His brother had a boat on a trailer, so they swapped use of drives.

17,641 · March 11

17 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

Absolutely not 😂 my deeds also don’t allow me to keep a caravan on my driveway!

Who the fudge is going to enforce that?

12,257 · March 11

7 minutes ago, yes oui si said:

Who the fudge is going to enforce that?

Neighbours opposite had one on their driveway for 2 weeks and got a solicitors letter!

17,641 · March 11

13 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

Neighbours opposite had one on their driveway for 2 weeks and got a solicitors letter!

But who is actually enforcing it? Typical solicitor's scare-you-away letter or notice of action being taken?

11,993 · March 11

6 minutes ago, yes oui si said:

But who is actually enforcing it? Typical solicitor's scare-you-away letter or notice of action being taken?

Can get diluted over the years, but If someons digs in you are in the wrong and can end up with costs against you. Or so my mate was informed.

He was also informed there was nothing mentioned about boats.

His brothers boat remained on his drive for many years. Long after his caravan was sold.

1,244 · March 11

^^ Not wanting to hijack and I know this has been in a separate thread before, my deeds implicitly state no caravans, mobile homes or commercial vehicles to be kept on the property (weirdly a car trailer or enclosed Bryan James Car trailer is permitted as my neighbour has had both and checked in advance). Admittedly I pay a ‘peppercorn’ fee to a Management Company who maintain the open areas of grass land and footpaths.

12,257 · March 11

5 hours ago, yes oui si said:

But who is actually enforcing it? Typical solicitor's scare-you-away letter or notice of action being taken?

I don’t want a caravan so i’ll be fine 😂

10,260 · March 11

6 hours ago, yes oui si said:

But who is actually enforcing it? Typical solicitor's scare-you-away letter or notice of action being taken?

It's called freedom in a free society.

12,257 · March 12

Not sure if this is anything you could answer @Barry Cade but this tow bar has come with a vehicle specific electrics kit, namely this:

BW02807U

https://www.ecs-electronicsuk.co.uk/en/towbar-wiring-kits/bw02807u.html

Which shows it’s suitable for vehicles March 14 onwards.

My car is a May 2013 so this looks like the correct one I need:

BW008B1U

https://www.ecs-electronicsuk.co.uk/en/towbar-wiring-kits/bw008b1u.html

Im wondering what the difference actually is? I know the newer F31 has LED tail lights but you can swap those into the earlier model so suggests the wiring is the same.

I’m going to fit the bar at the weekend so am tempted to try this wiring kit it comes with, if it doesn’t work then I’ll have to order the correct one.

Cheers!

15,689 · March 12

1 hour ago, JJ0063 said:

Not sure if this is anything you could answer @Barry Cade but this tow bar has come with a vehicle specific electrics kit, namely this:

BW02807U

https://www.ecs-electronicsuk.co.uk/en/towbar-wiring-kits/bw02807u.html

Which shows it’s suitable for vehicles March 14 onwards.

My car is a May 2013 so this looks like the correct one I need:

BW008B1U

https://www.ecs-electronicsuk.co.uk/en/towbar-wiring-kits/bw008b1u.html

Im wondering what the difference actually is? I know the newer F31 has LED tail lights but you can swap those into the earlier model so suggests the wiring is the same.

I’m going to fit the bar at the weekend so am tempted to try this wiring kit it comes with, if it doesn’t work then I’ll have to order the correct one.

Cheers!

@JJ0063

Ooft, that's a question which got the wheels turning.

The early 1 series E81/E87 and early F20/F21 uses low speed CAN to activate the trailer module, whereas the later f20/f21 (03/14 on) use high speed CAN, so are not interchangeable. The CAN wires are different colours between the two as well.

To be honest, on an earlier 1 series I'd just wire in a bypass box, power from the battery in the boot and all the light wires are at the o/ s in the boot. Really easy and doesn't upset anything.

If it has battery management, remember and wire to the battery side before the little black box at the positive terminal, and - not appliccable to the 1 series- wire a BMW towbar power to the rear fusebox. It stops the car going to sleep and it won't start in the morning..

12,257 · March 12

46 minutes ago, Barry Cade said:

@JJ0063

Ooft, that's a question which got the wheels turning.

The early 1 series E81/E87 and early F20/F21 uses low speed CAN to activate the trailer module, whereas the later f20/f21 (03/14 on) use high speed CAN, so are not interchangeable. The CAN wires are different colours between the two as well.

To be honest, on an earlier 1 series I'd just wire in a bypass box, power from the battery in the boot and all the light wires are at the o/ s in the boot. Really easy and doesn't upset anything.

If it has battery management, remember and wire to the battery side before the little black box at the positive terminal, and - not appliccable to the 1 series- wire a BMW towbar power to the rear fusebox. It stops the car going to sleep and it won't start in the morning..

I had a feeling you’d be the man in the know!

So long and short for mine being a 2013 F31 is just buy a universal type 7 pin electrics with a bypass box? Something like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143387672997?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=U2AtdA9ORXS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=IaiIXmW2Rkq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

15,689 · March 13

11 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

I had a feeling you’d be the man in the know!

So long and short for mine being a 2013 F31 is just buy a universal type 7 pin electrics with a bypass box? Something like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143387672997?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=U2AtdA9ORXS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=IaiIXmW2Rkq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Yep, you don't really gain anything on a 2013 by going with a dedicated kit on a BMW. That kit is all you need. Check with the instructions with that box if you need to connect the tail light wiring. We use the Ryder boxes and you just connect the brake and it sorts the tail lights out. Also, test the light wiring for colours with the tail lights plugged in... German motors can have the bulb failure substitution, which can cause a bit of head scratching!

4,009 · March 13

Apologies for thread hijack JJ - I’ve got that Brink detachable towbar on a 2016 facelift F31 and it’s never been quite right in that the reversing sensors aren’t disabled when a plug is in the electrical socket, so they go mental when a bike rack is in place. @Barry Cade what would you recommend? Previous car was a J11 Qashqai with a switch in the socket that disabled the sensors, but on the BMW there isn’t even a dashboard switch to turn them off (this car has rear sensors only) so I just have to put up with the audible torture when reversing!

12,257 · March 13

9 hours ago, Barry Cade said:

Yep, you don't really gain anything on a 2013 by going with a dedicated kit on a BMW. That kit is all you need. Check with the instructions with that box if you need to connect the tail light wiring. We use the Ryder boxes and you just connect the brake and it sorts the tail lights out. Also, test the light wiring for colours with the tail lights plugged in... German motors can have the bulb failure substitution, which can cause a bit of head scratching!

Would you say buying these two in that case would be the most straight forward option? Cheers!

15,689 · March 13

9 hours ago, JJ0063 said:

Would you say buying these two in that case would be the most straight forward option? Cheers!

Yes , that's basically what I use. Just make sure the green box has some air around it as they can get slightly warm.

@mk2_craig its a common question..BMWs are weird this way, some do some don't. I did an X1 today and it shut the sensors off automatically through the CAN BUS with no coding. Usually when it doesn't, there's a button or a bit in the menu where you can shut them down. I have heard you can code it in but depends on the maker of the electrics kit.

Got a 3 series tomorrow so will plug in the coding machine and see if it gives me an option to change anything.

12,257 · March 16

Tow bar complete!

Very straight forward to fit, wiring was fine once I’d worked out what loom to tap into.

Really happy with it. With the hitch removed you can only see the Brink cap so it’s not in your face. Electrics flip up so they’re hidden too.

Only issue I have, and I don’t know whether it’s one you can answer @Barry Cadeis that even with the car locked and all car lights off, the light tail lights are permanently lit on the light board. Not sure if that’s because I’ve put the two orange lives to the battery rather than ignition live?

15,689 · March 16

30 minutes ago, JJ0063 said:

Tow bar complete!

Very straight forward to fit, wiring was fine once I’d worked out what loom to tap into.

Really happy with it. With the hitch removed you can only see the Brink cap so it’s not in your face. Electrics flip up so they’re hidden too.

Only issue I have, and I don’t know whether it’s one you can answer @Barry Cadeis that even with the car locked and all car lights off, the light tail lights are permanently lit on the light board. Not sure if that’s because I’ve put the two orange lives to the battery rather than ignition live?

Orange need to go to permanent live, did you hook up tail lights or just a brake wire? Some only need 1 connected, it'll tell you in the instructions. Tails shouldn't be on if all car lights are off .Best check this as Bimmers are terrible for not going to sleep and flattening the battery

"· IMPORTANT! Dual lamp function: If brake light and tail light or fog light and tail light share a
common wire do not connect either of the side light wires (Black or Brown) from the relay to the
car. The relay will interpret the signal on the brake signal wire (Red) or fog signal wire (Blue) and
operate the lights, including the side lights, correctly"

12,257 · March 16

3 minutes ago, Barry Cade said:

Orange need to go to permanent live, did you hook up tail lights or just a brake wire? Some only need 1 connected, it'll tell you in the instructions. Tails shouldn't be on if all car lights are off .Best check this as Bimmers are terrible for not going to sleep and flattening the battery

Thanks!

Yeah I connected the lot, tails and brakes. Would you suggest disconnecting the tails and leaving just the brake connected and seeing if that still works then? Cheers

15,689 · March 16

Just now, JJ0063 said:

Thanks!

Yeah I connected the lot, tails and brakes. Would you suggest disconnecting the tails and leaving just the brake connected and seeing if that still works then? Cheers

Yes, and did you test the wire colours with the lights plugged in? BMWs put on the brake light if a tail goes out etc so if it sees things unplugged it changes all the rules!

12,257 · March 16

11 minutes ago, Barry Cade said:

Yes, and did you test the wire colours with the lights plugged in? BMWs put on the brake light if a tail goes out etc so if it sees things unplugged it changes all the rules!

So I’ve just disconnected the black/brown for the tail lights, they still work as normal with just the red wire (brake) connected but also still don’t go off! Wonder what I’ve done wrong here. Must have the brake wire connected to the wrong wire in the car loom?!

12,257 · March 16

Oh and yes the car is fully back together all other lights plugged in

12,257 · March 16

Ah, they stay live for 5 mins or so then go off… should have thought about that 😂 I guess the canbus still sends power for a few mins after the last activity and then shuts off.

15,689 · March 16

I think you've connected the brake light wire to the tail light. Remember you only need to hook up 1 tail light feed too

12,257 · March 16

10 minutes ago, Nyphur said:

Looks great. Think I actually prefer it with the hitch fitted.

Are they that low as standard or has it got bigger wheels/lowered?

It’s not lowered, it’s just M Sport so I believe a bit lower and has 19” wheels out the factory so the arches are filled!

JJ0063’s current steed - Life of an impulsive car owner [N47 CHAIN GANG]

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