[DaleF]

Just bought new Cross Sport with installed tow package. Remove blank cover and installed Pollack 7pin connector. Using U-haul convertor from 7 pin (round) to 4 pin straight connector. Using volt meter NOT getting any power to the lightning circuit. VW dealer told me I had to pay $139 (one hour labor) charge to “activate” towing wire circuit. Is this ripoff true?

thanks
DaleF

 

[tylerltr450]

For that price you might as well buy VCDS and just do it yourself. With VCDS you will have way more power at your finger tips for just a couple bucks more.

VCDS with HEX-V2 Enthusiast | Ross-Tech

 

[mikehacksthings]

Just bought new Cross Sport with installed tow package. Remove blank cover and installed Pollack 7pin connector. Using U-haul convertor from 7 pin (round) to 4 pin straight connector. Using volt meter NOT getting any power to the lightning circuit. VW dealer told me I had to pay $139 (one hour labor) charge to “activate” towing wire circuit. Is this ripoff true?

thanks
DaleF

Dale,
I literally just got a Veepeak Bluetooth obdc plug in today since I was having an issue with my trailer lights not working. Using that and the car scanner pro app on my phone I was able to recode my towing settings since I wasn’t getting trailer brake light activation.

 

[sreston]

Just bought new Cross Sport with installed tow package. Remove blank cover and installed Pollack 7pin connector. Using U-haul convertor from 7 pin (round) to 4 pin straight connector. Using volt meter NOT getting any power to the lightning circuit. VW dealer told me I had to pay $139 (one hour labor) charge to “activate” towing wire circuit. Is this ripoff true?

thanks
DaleF

@DaleF - Did you get this figured out? I installed a Pollack 7-pin receptacle this morning and plugged in a trailer wire tester and didn't get the results I expected. Wondering if I need to get wiring "activated".

 

[DaleF]

I went to a U-Haul trailer rental. They let me plug an actual trailer connection into the adapter they sell that was plugged into the Atlas’s 7 pin connector and when tested the lights and turn signals worked. No ‘Activation’ by a dealer (at a $139/hour cost) needed.

 

[mikehacksthings]

@DaleF - Did you get this figured out? I installed a Pollack 7-pin receptacle this morning and plugged in a trailer wire tester and didn't get the results I expected. Wondering if I need to get wiring "activated".

sreston, what issue are you having?

 

[DaleF]

sreston, what issue are you having?

None.. the trailer connection works

 

[mikehacksthings]

None.. the trailer connection works

I saw you aren’t having an issue, I was wondering what the issue the other person had

 

[DaleF]

I saw you aren’t having an issue, I was wondering what the issue the other person had

I don’t have a clue!

 

[sreston]

@mikehacksthings I have a Curt 7-pin tester. I don't have my camper yet - just trying to get ready. When I plug in the tester, 3 of the LEDs blink faintly. I don't see the expected lights based on the status of my vehicle.

I installed the Pollak 11893 7-blade adapter myself.

I'm taking it in next week to have the shop at the dealership expose the brake controller harness for me. I'll ask the tech about it and see if they have any idea what's going on.

 

[sreston]

Duh. I just read the reviews of the tester and someone with an Atlas reported a problem. Turns out it doesn't work when you have LED head/tail-lights. Sigh.

 

[Tank4all]

I was in the same boat. Bought a connector and tester from Amazon and thought I had something wrong with my Atlas plug. Turns out VW recognizes when trailer lights are plugged in. There needs to be enough load on the wire so you need to plug lights in. You can not just use an LED tester. I had the same result, just 3 flashing lights on the tester. Took it to the dealer and they wanted $180 diagnosis fee, I walked right out. I ended up going to a local home depot and just asked if I could plug in one of their trailers to test my car. They were nice enough to let me and everything worked as expected.

I'd chalk this one up to German over engineering.

 

[sreston]

I'd chalk this one up to German over engineering.

I don't think that's a "feature" of the Atlas, per se. More a feature of how electricity works. I feel that the cheap LED testers should be clearer about the issue.

 

[Tank4all]

I don't think that's a "feature" of the Atlas, per se. More a feature of how electricity works. I feel that the cheap LED testers should be clearer about the issue.

Maybe I'm "old school" I thought my new 2019 Atlas trailer plug was broken when all I was getting was the pulsing. My 2005 Toyota was just plug and go. No back up camera no nothing. On one hand I like all this new tech and all the camera's on the other hand I get all confused about how all of this works.

Thinking about it now, I completely get why the Atlas has to engage trailer mode with all the rear sensors and back up camera. It's nice to know my Atlas could tell me if I have a trailer light out. But I would have been pissed if I had to pay the $180 to the dealership for them to tell me that. I was really annoyed at my dealer for not knowing this was how it was supposed to work.

 

[Barry T]

When I first used my Atlas to tow, I had a similar problem. I bought a new adapter and it didn't work. I plugged it in and out a few times and voila, it worked. A few times since then, I had to reseat the plug for the lights to work. The good thing about the Atlas is that it will tell you to check your trailer lights if there is a problem.

 

[sreston]

For those of you towing with your Cross Sport (I have a 2020) or Atlas - is your camper battery charging while your camper is connected? I'm trying to test before I get my camper. I took a look at the 7-way with a meter and I'm not seeing ~12v. Could be that the Cross Sport can tell there's not a trailer connected. Not sure if that's the issue.