Car Fix DIY Videos

How to install a tow bar. In this video I install a tow bar on my 2003 Peugeot 406 Estate, the saloon is very similar.

This is a fairly easy thing to install, although I have a lift a pair of axle stands would provide enough clearance to do the job. The electrical work is all quite straightforward.

The wiring diagram I refer to is from a Peugeot workshop CD I bought from e manuals online at the time I bought the electronic copy of the 406 manual it seemed to include the full Peugeot range of manuals and wiring diagrams for £20, the same was the case when I bought the same manual for the Citroen C5
They can be seen here:
https://www.emanualonline.com/Cars/Peugeot/406/2004-PEUGEOT-406-Service-and-Repair-Manual.html

However, Peugeot wiring diagrams change depending on model year and it seems trim level. That is why the diagrams in the back of the Haynes manual can be hard to follow. Although using a power probe as I did in this video is a much easier way to find out what wires are responsible for the various functions.

The power probe itself isn’t the actual power probe but a cheaper alternative made by Sealey, the Sealey PP1 Auto Probe:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-PP1-Automotive-6-24v-Auto-Probe-12v-Power-Circuit-Electrical-Tester/191412318318?epid=1104306455&hash=item2c9110306e:g:diEAAOSw8H1aaLiS
I have had this Sealey PP1 for about 5 years and find it very good, I did extend the cable so that it would reach around to the back of longer cars but it is a very useful tool when working around car electronics.

With regards the tools for removing the exhaust back box. I used a Neilsen CT2072 exhaust hanger removal pliers for the rubber hangers:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DP583Z6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For the clamp that is on the back of the exhaust back box, I use a pair of Neilsen CT2099 exhaust pipe clamp pliers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Extra-Long-PSA-Exhaust-Pipe-Clamp-Pliers-Tool-Garage-Tool-Citroen-Peugeot-CT2099/222585507003?epid=1107726952&hash=item33d3214cbb:g:ReMAAOSwEBxZbc0N

The Neilsen stuff is ok for the price, although there are probably higher quality alternatives out there if a bit more was spent. Sealey or Facom spring to mind.

The bypass relay I fitted is important to use on any modern car with multiplex electronics, a trailers lights will draw extra current and if you were to wire the trailer socket directly to the cars lighting system there is a risk that the module responsible for the lights could fail. In the case of the 406 that is the BSI unit. Even on older cars where the lights would be controlled through relays, it would still be good practice to use a bypass relay. I bought the one used in this video from a local motor factors which cost £20, it is a TEB7AS bypass relay which should show plenty of results on ebay such as this one:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bypass-interface-Relay-7-Way-Universal-Upgrade-Kit-TEB7AS-Smart-relay/130544884862?hash=item1e6514dc7e:g:CssAAOSwC-taMUo8

This is a link to the cage nuts used:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metal-Cage-Nuts-Peugeot-Range-1007-106-2008-206-207-208-301-etc-1399pe-4-Pack/321505680982?fits=Car+Make%3APeugeot&hash=item4adb3b5e56:g:bmQAAOSwPhdVAtjw

The tow bar bracket i used was from a 406 in a scrapyard which cost £25, new ones are more expensive but should still be easy to find.