Accessories - Trailer Towing/Wiring/Tips
97 Trailer Towing, Wiring And Tips97 09 06
2012975/5
August 4, 2009.
Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 97 number 08-14 dated November 17, 2008 for reasons listed below.
Affected Vehicles
Condition
- As standard equipment, the Audi Q7 comes prewired for trailer towing. The prewiring is for trailer lighting (running lights, stop lights, emergency lights, and turn signals) but not trailer brake operation.
- Models up to approximately VIN 4L_7D 015 246 are not prewired for trailer brake operation.
- Models in the approximate VIN range 4L_7D 015 246 through 4L_7D 021 937 are equipped with a 4 wire electrical harness for trailer brake operation that is overlaid with the vehicle's main wire harness. This harness is not connected at either end.
- Audi Q7 models that come with the trailer towing package (1D6) are not equipped with the 7 pin connector.
Technical Background
This connector is required to connect a trailer's wiring harness to the Audi Q7 electrical system.
Production Solution
- Audi Q7 models after approximately VIN 4L_7D 021 937 are prewired for trailer lighting (running lights, stop lights, emergency lights, and turn signals) and for trailer brake operation.
- Audi Q7 models ordered with the trailer towing package (1D6) will not come equipped with the 7 pin connector.
Service
1. If a customer wants to have braking operation available for their trailer brakes, you will need to verify that the prewiring includes wiring for trailer brakes. To do so, remove the driver's side lower close out panel.
Locate the 4 wire electrical harness with 4 pin male connector as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
Part number 1J0-972-772 is shown in Figure 3. The other half of the connector is 1J0-972-782.
- If you cannot locate the 4 wire electrical harness with 4 pin male connector, contact the Technical Assistance Center for further instructions.
- If you can locate the 4 wire electrical harness with 4 pin male connector, the vehicle has been prewired for trailer brake operation.
This 4 wire electrical harness routes from this location to the underside of the driver's seat where two of the wires branch off and are connected to battery plus and ground. The other two wires are then routed to the trailer towing control unit located at the right rear luggage compartment. However, this harness is not connected to the trailer towing control unit.
Connect this harness to the trailer towing control unit by continuing to Step 2.
2. Remove the right side luggage compartment trim.
3. Locate the two 2 wire (blue and red/black) harnesses (Figure 4).
Connect these harnesses to complete the circuit. Now the vehicle is ready for installation of the customer-supplied brake controller.
4. To aid in making the electrical connection between the brake controller and vehicle wiring, order and install the female connector, part number 1J0 972 782, and 4 male terminals, part numbers 000-979-136 for 1.0 gauge wiring and 000-979-228 for 2.5 gauge wiring, to the wiring of the brake controller.
5. Inform the customer that a 7 pin connector will be required to connect a trailer's wiring harness to the Audi Q7 electrical system. A 7 pin connector may be purchased from your Parts Department by itself, or the customer may purchase trailer hitch package 2, which includes the 7 pin connector.
7. To install the 7 pin connector, perform the following steps:
a. Locate access plate on left side of hitch (Figure 5).
b. Remove the four mounting screws and access plate (Figure 6).
c. Discard the access plate.
d. Connect vehicle electrical connector to 7 pin connector and reinstall four mounting screws.
Warranty
This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi warranty.
Additional Information
- Audi Q7 models come standard with trailer towing prewiring and 5,500 lbs towing capacity (with 550 lbs of tongue-weight).
- Audi Q7 models ordered with the trailer towing package (1D6) will come with the trailer hitch, trailer towing control unit, and increased towing capacity up to 6,600 lbs (with 660 lbs of tongue-weight).
- The trailer towing package (1D6) is not available with the off road package (YNA).
Available trailer towing accessories:
- Trailer hitch package 1, part number 4L0 092 101U, is available for vehicles not ordered with the trailer towing package (1D6).
Includes: trailer hitch, mounting bolts, plug for receiver tube, trailer towing control unit, cable ties, ball mount, 2 inch ball, pin with clip, 7 pin connector, and installation instructions.
- Trailer hitch package 2, part number 4L0 092 115U, is available for vehicles ordered with the trailer towing package (1D6). Includes: ball mount, 2 inch ball, pin with clip, and 7 pin connector.
- 7 pin connector, part number 7L0 055 305UA, is available for vehicles ordered with the trailer towing package (1D6).
- Adaptors to convert the 7 pin connector to a 4 pin flat connector, 5 pin flat connector, or 6 pin round connector may be purchased locally.
- A brake controller is required to activate a trailer's brakes and is generally installed near the underside of the instrument panel on the driver's side. Brake controllers may be purchased locally.
- Trailers with LED lights can cause the defective bulb warning light to come on in the instrument cluster center display or may interfere with trailer light functionality. The following LED adaptors are designed to be compatible with LED lights:
- ZVW 808 003 7 pin to 5 pin flat, can also be used for 7 pin to 4 pin flat.
- ZVW 808 005 7 pin to 6 pin round.
- ZVW 808 004 7 pin to 7 pin.
Audi Q7 trailer towing accessories information is available on the Access Audi web site.
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.