patently Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 (edited) A racing friend has a new 4 series with BW's whizzy electrically retractable/extending towbar (very cute indeed). However, he has a problem: BMW want £291 to fix it, which is a bit scary, but more importantly can't do it until after our Silverstone race the weekend after next (7/8 June). The local towbar man won't touch it, apparently. That leaves him without a tow car. Any ideas? Ideally to get it fixed pronto or some other form of work-around? (He's near Bath, btw) Edited May 28, 2014 by patently Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo-S3 Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 Does he have the front cover that the terminals plug into? Is he technically capable of puttng the pins in if he had a wiring diagram to read from? iF its a genuine BMW towbar which i assume it is then there will bea retrofit pdf available somewhere if he doesnt have one already. once in hand you would need to identify each of the pins either by their colour coded cable or by testing each one( not as easy) and then inserting the pins into the correctly numbered cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 Ta I think the plastic cover is snapped into bits. I've suggested pushing the contacts into the back of a 13-to-7 pin converter, which is essentially the same thing. He's not the most technically-minded of us, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 (edited) What does he have to use? Brake lights, side lights, indicators. I'd find a diagram for BMW 13 pin such as http://www.westfalia-loadcarrier.co.uk/eshot/installation/303460300113.pdf Which should be universal. There an infinite number of bodge ways of joining wire, such make sure you separate and insulate each one away from the next. Self amalgamating tape is your water proof friend in such matters (screwfix or Halfords). If he really isn't capable find a caravan centre, they will have a tow bar man that can do something. Edited May 28, 2014 by Calm Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lussac Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 It's a long shot but try giving Caravan Doctor in Trowbridge a call and ask, f he can't do it he'll know who can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 How did he break it? Is it down to poor manufacturing/design or just plain hamfistedness? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 I'm sure a local indie auto-sparky would fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 How did he break it? Is it down to poor manufacturing/design or just plain hamfistedness? Knowing him, we're guessing "user error" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 I'm sure a local indie auto-sparky would fix it. They've muttered about it being specialist BMW bits and won't touch it. We think he'll be sorted over the weekend though, the suggestions above have helped. Thanks TSN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted May 28, 2014 Report Share Posted May 28, 2014 If it burns the world down I accept no liability. Have I really just been stupid enough to give advice to a sort of lawyer legal bloke? Admin please edit all past and future posts with the "without prejudice" header 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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