More Towbar Electic Woes

pin 9 is permanent live, 3 and 11 are earths so check without any ignition on and see if 12v is picked up with a meter, if not then they have wired it wrong and put a switched live from ignition to pin 9 instead.

https://www.towbarandtrailercentre.com/wiring-diagrams

Took car into Volvo today who say permanent live is only on when ignition is on to avoid battery drainage (yes I appreciate it sounds like a load of hogwash)  however the problem is the system comes pre-wired from Volvo or their supplier. Both my previous towcars had permanent 12v supplies from pin 9 and the ATC fired up on plugging in and remained constant until unplugging. 

What would be helpful if anyone can confirm how their current recent Volvo is behaving I doubt if their is much difference between the models.

Is your Volvo still under warranty. Irrespective of other vehicles that are wired the same it should be wired to International ISO 11446 standard for 13 pin electrics (Which requires pin nine to be permanently live), otherwise it is not fit for purpose, take it back and tell them to wire it correctly.

Sounds to me that Volvo are B... Sh....ing 🤔

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Have had some replies back via the Volvo Forum which confirm that this is how Volvo have set up their latest SPA Cars (beats me as well). The towbar won`t go live until you switch on ignition, or open a door or tailgate but there seems to be a bit of inconsistency as well but we`ll keep on regardless! 

Does it actually matter?

what's the point of European standards if Volvo don't/won't do the same as the rest of the industry.   

Unfortunately its not just Volvo there are quite a few posts coming up with towbar electric issues.

but this is the first about not having a permanant live and from a well known vehicle manufacturer thats sell cars with towing in mind. do indipendant towbar fitters wire up the same as volvo, I bet they don't.