Todd Beaulieu

Did you see my post about the auxiliary switch embedded in the socket block? Take a look and investigate accordingly. There's a normally open/normally closed setup that hooks into the fog lights and the parktronic module.

JustMtnB44

Yes I saw that, but it's not clear from the pic how the switch is connected to the socket. Do you know which pin(s) from the socket go to that switch (before I take mine apart)?

Todd Beaulieu

I can send the hi res photo to you if you'd like. I have to shrink these photos so tiny to allow them to upload!

NONE of the pins from the socket go to that connector. It's mounted next to the connector. When you push the plug into the opening, The second plug is wired into "the harness" alongside the 13 pin connector.

JustMtnB44

Ok, I get it now and figured it out. The switch that disables the Parktronic is a separeate microswitch that is activated when the outer connector shell is plugged in. I was only testing it before on the center pin portion, without the outer part. It now works 100% fine best I can tell.

So in summation, $20 Euro connector + $13 4 pin wiring converter = $100 Audi part.

I have more of the Euro connectors for whoever else needs one, just send me a pm to get one.

Tamas

do you always have to remove the silver plate when you tow? or is that just for demonstration purposes?

JustMtnB44

Umm, yes well I do for now because I was in a hurry to finish building the hitch and I couldn't check the clearances for the electrical connector. So as it is now, yes I do have to remove the "skid plate" when towing in order to swing down the connector. I have already addressed that in my new design, and eventually when I have a free weekend will take mine apart again to fix it.

Todd Beaulieu

I've got mine all hooked up and it works just fine.

The skid plate stays on. No 13 pin shinnanegins. No swing down, pop up, slide over nuthing. Just plain towing.

Total time to wire in the 3-2 converter: 20 minutes, including soldering, cleaning the joints with alcohol and a nice tight tape wrap.

Seriously .. do you really care about preserving the European specific, USA ignorant connector? Will you ever live to hear yourself say "Dang, I wish I still had that 13 pin connector so I could tow this Euro trailer!"? I seriously doubt it. Cut the stupid thing off and get to towing. You'll never look back.

fjasper

^^^ Yup.

skideeppow

Can you post the pic that shows what the entire set up looks like? Do you have exposed wires or is it clean?

Todd Beaulieu

I'll take a pic tomorrow, but there's really not much to show! The skid plate's on, there is a cubby on each side of the hitch to sock away the excess wiring, connector and converter. Even the 4-pin connector gets stashed up inside when not in use.