Hi All.

I recently installed the Land Rover electrics kit for towing a trailer (caravan). There isn't really any way to screw it up, because the factory harness only fits one way.

Can anyone confirm that the install requires a trip to the dealer for a software reconfiguration? There is a step in the instructions that references a computer terminal screen.


Thanks!

Hi there,

Speaking from UK perspective then yes, even with factory trailer wiring kit there is a need for a software adjustment for all functions to work correctly.

From what I can determine this isn't Land Rover specific, same for other makes too. Stornoway Grey GS ... What a fine motor ... but not any more ... ... psst look at my gallery!
Company cars ... a thing of the past - May 2013.

Thanks. I thought buying an LR part would matter....

Interesting note. I called my dealer about this and they (of course) acted like I was stupid and or just incompetent, and said there is nothing else you need to do once the "converter box" is installed. (IE no software reconfig)

Pretty typical, considering they wanted to charge nearly $400 for the harness alone (I found a dealer who was liquidating parts that sold it for $150). Not to mention charging 2 hrs labor for a 30 minute job.

God forbid that I actually may want to get my hands dirty.

Trailer wiring cont'd... Here's a quote from another dealership's parts dept.


"Don’t bother to recheck the install. It surely appears to indicate that the software needs to be activated in WDS. I’m sorry that ****** acted that way. While we have no direct affiliation, it makes a reflection that makes the rest of the dealer body appear poorly.
***

I will get w/ my service area and see what it takes to get this activated."

I installed a plug and play kit purchased on kupplung.de and I plugged my caravan in and it all worked, even though the fitting instructions said I had to have it coded. Try first you might be inluck  Freelander 2.2e HSE , Privacy, Fully debadged, 19" Chrome SHadow alloys

When my towbar was fitted I went home, tried it and the electrics didn,t work.
Took it back to the dealers and they said they just did a software update as the LR wiring kit is just plug in.

Confirmed. I took it to the dealer and they activated the electrics kit. Apparently, this is the case with factory fog lights and other accessories. The computerized electrical system is designed so that if there is an unexpected draw on the current for the vehicle, it works against it to minimize any "damage". They need to log into the WDS terminal and activate the accessories, just like you do in your hardware manager on the PC.

Hi Tech, and a complete pain. Good news is that they only charged me a 1/2 hr of labor to activate it. ($57)