Wiring in a 7 pin plug- Volvo 940

[busta]

Evening all,

I've just fitted a new tow bar to a Volvo 940 but I'm not sure where to wire the 7 pin plug into. I assume it joins the loom for the rear lights somewhere. Is there a designated connector/ junction box or is it a case of splicing the wires into the existing loom?

Thanks in advance.

[Steve_D]

Volvo probably do a special loom to just plug in but you obviously don't have that cos you're asking the question.
You will need to find each of the wires and splice into it. Would be best if soldered but if that is not in your skill-set then 'Scotch-locks' will do.
If you are not connecting it in the Volvo way the warning light at the dash will likely not work so you need to buy an audio sounder which you wire in with the connections you make in the boot.

Steve

[busta]

Ok thanks, I'll have a word with Volvo and see if they still do one.

[Steve_D]

Ring around your local towbar fitting centres as they may do a pattern of the Volvo loom at a better price.

Steve

[Pigeon]

Steve_D said:

Would be best if soldered but if that is not in your skill-set then 'Scotch-locks' will do.

Scotch-locks will NOT do, they are intrinsically, ineluctably, terminally st. They guarantee strange electrical problems at some point in the future, bad connections, broken wires, melted bits of plastic, you name it. If you can't solder and heatshrink the splices, use crimp connectors, crimped with a proper crimp tool not one of those useless sheet metal plier efforts. And make the joints on sections of loom inside the car to keep them dry.

[The Excession]

Pigeon said:

Steve_D said:

Would be best if soldered but if that is not in your skill-set then 'Scotch-locks' will do.

Scotch-locks will NOT do, they are intrinsically, ineluctably, terminally st. They guarantee strange electrical problems at some point in the future, bad connections, broken wires, melted bits of plastic, you name it. If you can't solder and heatshrink the splices, use crimp connectors, crimped with a proper crimp tool not one of those useless sheet metal plier efforts. And make the joints on sections of loom inside the car to keep them dry.

^^^^ What Pidgeon says. Don't use Scotch-Bol-locks, especially for a resistive load (like bulbs). They're completey st and whilst they might work for six to twelve months, they will only cause problems in the long run.

You'd be better just trwisting the wires together and wrapping the join in insulating tape.

Soldering is probably the best, but proper crimping is next best. Go with that.

[busta]

Fear not guys, I've found the proper plug from the loom. I don't have the corresponding plug for the 7 core lead but I'll use some spade connectors. Cheers for the advice anyway, I'd heard bad things of scotch locks in the past so was a bit wary of going this route.

And I've found a convenient grommet for the wiring, all connection will be inside the boot so that base is covered.

Total cost of towbar so far? £12