Picked up the "new" (January 2006) Mondeo 2.2tdci Estate last week and the dealer also gave me a Witter towbar and part of the electrics that he had taken off another, similar car for me to fit. I knocked the worst of the rust off the towbar over the weekend and sprayed it with Hammerite and it looks ok to fit, and seems like a simple job but, after a lot of head scratching I realised that the electrics are incomplete so I rang a local fitter for a qoute to fit twin electrics to the secondhand towbar that I intend to fit myself. They quoted £75 to supply and fit, which seemed ok but I thought I would get a second opinion and was quoted £160!!! The second guy said that the 2006 Mondeo has "CAMBUS" electrics and they need to fit extra kit and reprogram the ecu otherwise I could have major problems, he also said that the wires are carbon fibre so "dont go near them with a Scotchlock". I went back to the first fitter and asked why there was such a big difference in the cost and she slightly "went off on one" about how the other guy is a ripoff merchant and they get a lot of cars that he has done to put right. She also seemed to know what she was talking about and said that they are a long established, family firm and do all the work for the local BMW and Merc dealers and that they use a relay that the other guy doesnt. She also said that the Mondeo doesnt have CAMBUS electrics (what ever that is!). So now I dont know what to do! Its not the cost that is important, I just want to be sure that it is done properly. Jim.
Mondeo CAMBUS electrics?
- Thread starter JandP
- Start date
Hello J&P
Can bus(not cam)means "controller area network".It is better known as a datalink comunication or multiplexing.Its inception was due to the fact it cuts down on the amount of wires required to do a certain job.Basically it consists of two wires linking two or more control units up(ecu's)allowing them to comunicate with each other.These two wires,normally twisted are refered to as can hi and can low,(or fast and slow)they opporate around 2.5volt,can hi increasing and can low decreasing when comunication takes place.Data is sent down these lines on a priority system-what ever is most important goes first.This can be seen on an osilascope.Theres alot more to it,but thats the basics.
You need to decide what the set up is concerning the rear lights or a connection point for a plug.
If a normal lamp is used,being honest i dont know whats fitted to a mondeo,but a smart relay could be fitted,these work on milli-volts to switch them with a main 12v feed from were suitable.The benifit is the body computer can't sence it fitted and doesnt need programming for extra lights
Can bus(not cam)means "controller area network".It is better known as a datalink comunication or multiplexing.Its inception was due to the fact it cuts down on the amount of wires required to do a certain job.Basically it consists of two wires linking two or more control units up(ecu's)allowing them to comunicate with each other.These two wires,normally twisted are refered to as can hi and can low,(or fast and slow)they opporate around 2.5volt,can hi increasing and can low decreasing when comunication takes place.Data is sent down these lines on a priority system-what ever is most important goes first.This can be seen on an osilascope.Theres alot more to it,but thats the basics.
You need to decide what the set up is concerning the rear lights or a connection point for a plug.
If a normal lamp is used,being honest i dont know whats fitted to a mondeo,but a smart relay could be fitted,these work on milli-volts to switch them with a main 12v feed from were suitable.The benifit is the body computer can't sence it fitted and doesnt need programming for extra lights
- Mar 14, 2005
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I don't know about the Mondeo but some cars with CAN-bus systems change the settings of the ESP system and activate the Trailer Stability feature when the body computer is reprogrammed. If a smart relay is used to avoid reprogramming, these benefits would be lost.
Thanks to both of you for your prompt and very informative comments. I have done some more research and I think I understand it much better now. The car doesnt have ESP or parking sensors so a 7 way bypass relay in addition to the one for the S plug should be all that is needed. Thanks again for your comments. Jim.
- Jul 30, 2007
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hi J&P.
I also have the 2.2tdci 06 mondeo hatch.
I didnt realise that mine had ESP until i noticed the button for it on the lower dash(near to left knee)
I also have the 2.2tdci 06 mondeo hatch.
I didnt realise that mine had ESP until i noticed the button for it on the lower dash(near to left knee)
i have a 55 plate mondeo 2lt tdci and the wiring is just put into the rear light cluster without relays. this has given me no problems..
In responce to Garys post,the only problem with this method is if a problem arises, for example a short circuit or the socket is back feed,this fault then travels straight back to the body computer as agaist stopping at the smart relay.Damage can be done easily.
Hi Adrian, I didnt know where to look until I had bought the car and read the handbook, then I found the empty space where the button should be! Do you find it useful? Jim.
Thanks for the reassurance Gary, I have decided to have a bypass relay fitted just to be sure (you can find them on ebay for
I took the car to the fitter to get his opinion. He said that it was old style wiring and doesnt need a relay but he would fit one if I wanted. I was not as confident as him so I said that I wanted the relay and asked if it was a "smart" one. He said it was, but it is the same as the one available on ebay for
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