Seat Leon ST Towbar

[Philh46]

Wanting to get a towbar fitted for bike rake on my 2018 Seat Leon ST. It has cutout under the car by the looks of thing.

Looking for a detachable and I will need to get fitted ideally with no bumper cuts.

Thinking something like this witter-detachable-towbar

https://www.pfjones.co.uk/seat-leon-estate-st-2017-2020-witter-detachable-towbar.html

Any advice about getting it done and where.

 

[andye1]

I've just fitted one of these to my 2019 fr st. Doesn't need a bumper cut. I had a universal bypass relay wired in by an auto electrician. All works fine with no errors. A decent towbar place near you should be able to do it for reasonable price.

 

[Blade]

Interested in this


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Philh46]

I've just fitted one of these to my 2019 fr st. Doesn't need a bumper cut. I had a universal bypass relay wired in by an auto electrician. All works fine with no errors. A decent towbar place near you should be able to do it for reasonable price.

What sort of fitting price did you pay ? Might just get the whole lot done via pf jones

 

[andye1]

Fitted the towbar and wiring myself and the auto electrician cost 70 to wire into the car.

 

[Rooster]

Takes longer to get the bumper off and back on than it does to fit the towbar!

 

[Philh46]

If i choose the vehicle specific wiring how do they wire it up ? Do they need to run wires through to the front of car ?

 

[andye1]

Took me a couple of hours.

 

[Rooster]

The Witter detachable i took of my Golf Mk6 fitted straight on!

 

[babyhawk53]

anyone know a tow bar supplier for a 2018 leon cupra st 300. Not having much luck. seems the exhaust is the problem. thanks

 

[TrivialT]

Thinking of having a go at fitting my own tow bar.

This detachable tow bar (TowTrust website says it fits the ST):

404 Not Found - Towing Centres UK Ltd

www.towbarandtrailercentre.com

With dedicated vehicle specific electrics:

Dedicated 7 Pin Electric Kit SEAT Leon ST Estate 11/2013 - 2021 #VW-190-07MU - Towing Centres UK Ltd

Buy an ECS Electronics #VW-190-07MU Dedicated 7 Pin Electric Kit for your SEAT Leon ST Estate 11/2013 - 2021. Online Price from £116.99. For more information please call 0330 333 1525.

www.towbarandtrailercentre.com

Only problem is that the electrics may need activating. Anyone been able to activate this themselves? I have a Carista dongle and wondering if this could be used for the purpose.

 

[ReddStripe]

If Carista can change coding/adaptions then yes it can. I coded my own towbar myself using VCDS. OBDeleven will certainly work as well.

None of these devices have an automatic one click process. They will require several separate module adjustments.

 

[TrivialT]

If Carista can change coding/adaptions then yes it can. I coded my own towbar myself using VCDS. OBDeleven will certainly work as well.

None of these devices have an automatic one click process. They will require several separate module adjustments.

Please could you tell me where to find the required coding for VCDS? Then I could just find someone with VCDS near me who would be willing to code it in, with a bit of luck.

I'm between Wigan, Warrington and Bolton if anyone is willing and able for sensible money?

 

[ReddStripe]

If you’re buying dedicated electrics then the fitting guide for the wiring kit will come with the coding changes required. If you look on the relevant manufacturers website for the fitting guide they will be there.

I fitted the SEAT tow module and wiring. If you’re going SEAT route I can post it up with pleasure. It may not be relevant though. I’ll look for my notes and post up in the morning. They’re in the garage somewhere.

 

[TrivialT]

If you’re buying dedicated electrics then the fitting guide for the wiring kit will come with the coding changes required. If you look on the relevant manufacturers website for the fitting guide they will be there.

I fitted the SEAT tow module and wiring. If you’re going SEAT route I can post it up with pleasure. It may not be relevant though. I’ll look for my notes and post up in the morning. They’re in the garage somewhere.

Thanks for that, I looked back at the installation instructions and found the coding on the next to last page. I have the ECS kit and the instructions are here:

https://www.ecs-electronicsuk.co.uk/manual.php?f=VW19007MU%20Seat%20Leon%20III%20Cupra%20Ateca%20web.pdf

I've got the wires up to the outside of the glove box and hoping to get a good run at the last bit of wiring tomorrow, somewhat nervous about it but will take my time and cross my fingers.

 

[TrivialT]

Almost there, need to put last wire in the back of the fuse box but can't see how to get it so I can see the back of the fuse box. Have released the clips but do I have to unplug anything to get it to turn round so I can see it???

EDIT: Got there eventually, managed to turn it to the side just enough to see what I was doing. Saw some thread suggest poking a cable tie through the required terminal from the front, managed to attach the wire to this and drag back til more or less in position and just give it the final push through. Few errors once everything reconnected and battery on. Only front assist still on after a short drive. Now to read up to see if I can sort the coding using Carista dongle with Car Scanner Pro. Don't supose anyone has done this?

 

[ReddStripe]

Is your car pre facelift?

 

[TrivialT]

Is your car pre facelift?

No

 

[TrivialT]

After several hours of quietly swearing, I finally finished the wiring. I've looked at the long coding options in Car Scanner Pro but I've no idea what to change the values to. The ECS Electronics installation guide tells me how to code it with ODIS as follows:

CODING WITH ODIS
Please note: The procedure described below for encoding and enabling the trailer mode only serves for a general orientation and can vary greatly depending on the model (motorisation / equipment). If necessary less or further control units will have to be adapted.

Model year 2021 vehicles are equipped with a vehicle diagnosis protection (SFD). Make sure that access to locked on-board control units is granted by the diagnostic system:

Encoding 19 (Gateway)
- Control unit self diagnosis
- Access Authorisation
- Online SFD activation
- Execute
This enables 90 minutes where the adaptions/coding can be performed before the module is 're-locked'

Encoding 09 (Central Electronics)
- Control unit self diagnosis
- Access Authorisation
- Online SFD activation
- Execute
This enables 90 minutes where the adaptions/coding can be performed before the module is 're-locked'

After connecting to ODIS, the "69 trailer function" controller has to be set to encoded in the target installation list.

The following may be necessary in the further course of the work:

EZE_09 (Central Electronics):
Diagnosis
(possible login code: 31347)
Networking plan
Controller self-diagnosis
Encode
Trailer connection device >installed
or: hitch ecu >installed

Alternative encoding EZE_09 as follows (MY 2017 >>)
Self diagnose control unit
Access authorization >31347
Adjustment
Intergration
Trailer control unit > installed

ZKS_46 (Central module convenience system)
trailer monitoring >put on active
trailer control unit >installed

SWA_3C (Lane Change Assist)
ECU for draw bar >with ECU for draw bar

SW2_CF (Lane Change Assist2)
ECU for draw bar >with ECU for draw bar

SCH_17 (Dash panel insert)
Trailer >yes

RFK 6C (reverse camera system)
equipment_ahk >installed

STF_74 (chassis control system)
Trailer >installed

EPH_76 (PDC controller)
Trailer >trailer device can be removed manually

DIS_13 (controller distance control
(possible login code: 20103)
Control module for towing sens >installed

Alternative encoding DIS_13 as follows:
Self diagnose control unit
Access authorization >20103
Encoding
Binary encoding
Byte 3
Binary > xxxx1xxx
or Hex > +8

FFF_A5 (front sensor system controller)
AAG >coded

HDE_6D (boot lid electronics controller)
Trailer >installed

Encoding 03 (Brake electronics)
Adaptions
Vehicle and trailer stabilization
Set to Active

Important note on encoding and activating in trailer mode:
The electrical system and saved locally. During general updates for aforementioned settings are carried out in the vehicle's the vehicle software (for example, within the scope of service or repair work), the settings may be overwritten and deleted under certain circumstances. In this case, the trailer mode activation has to be updated again locally after the update. Diagnostic information relating to the trailer mode that may appear during variance comparisons with the data saved in the manufacturer's works, may form the basis of the local activation.

 

[ReddStripe]

Ok finally found my notes.

I have both VCDS and OBDEleven. If you find someone who is seasoned with these tools then this will mean something to them. The coding for the towbar install for me was as follows (2019 year, 68 plate facelift):

19 – Gateway
Installation List > Add the trailer module to the installation list (69 – trailer)

03 - Brake Electronics
Adaption > Vehicle and trailer stabilisation > Activated

09 - BCM
Adaption >
OBDeleven - Vernetzung > Anhaengeranschlussgeraet > Installed
VCDS - Networking-Anhaengeranschlussgeraet > Installed

13 – Adaptative Cruise Control / Distance Regulation
Long Coding > Control Module for towing sensor > Installed

76 on OBDEleven (or 10 on VCDS) – Park Assist
Long Coding > Trailer > Trailer Hitch Manually Removable

The SEAT module 69 then requires coding with choices about continuous power to the trailer socket etc, but as you’ve gone aftermarket I can’t see that the module will allow you access to it. It will probably be pre-programmed for the basic required CAN signals (indicators, reverse lights, side lights etc). Looking at the guide that came with your kit you have CAN high and low, plus a brake signal wire which is the same as the SEAT kit. However, you have one power cable to the fuse box whereas the SEAT kit has four. Coding of 69 will probably not be required for you.

When I coded Module 17 (Dash Panel) the module gave a persistent error code I couldn’t clear so I rolled back the change and it then cleared. I still get the trailer indicator signal as well as the vehicle indicator signal so perhaps this coding isn’t for Virtual Cockpits. This coding list and the one in your guide, and for any others you find for that matter, all depends on what equipment you have installed. For example, if you have Lane Change Assist or a retrofit RVC High, then they will need changing too.

Hope this helps.