Recommendation For Trailer Wiring Harness on a 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

Question:

I like instaling wire instalation on my 2008 VW passat wagon, for trailer. On car is separate turn signal and stop, on trailer is stop - turn signal same. Which converter good, and how instal... Thanks

asked by: Mirko

Expert Reply:

The CURT PWM Powered Converter Wiring Harness, part # 56201, you have referenced, is the correct trailer wiring harness for your 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. It will not work on the 4Motion model. You will also need the CURT Powered Converter Wiring Kit, part # 55151.

The Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) on your Passat will vary signal intensity over one wire to initiate more than one lighting function. The powered converter in the part # 56201 gets the signal from your wiring system and uses the separate in-line fused wire (# 55151) to get power to the trailer lights directly from the vehicles battery. The converter will convert your 3-wire system (separate turn signal and brake) on your Passat down to a 2-wire system (combined turn signal and brake) on your trailer.

The Curt wiring harness # 56201 will have four wires that will need to be connected to the correct functions behind the vehicles tail lights. You will want to use a multimeter like the Buffalo 7-Function Digital Multimeter, part # BTMT15 and test the wires on your vehicle for function and wire as follows.

White wire (ground) will need to be attached to a good, clean section of the vehicles metal frame.
Green wire (right turn/brake) will attach to the wire that controls the right turn and brake functions.
Yellow wire (left turn/brake) will attach to the wire that controls the left turn and brake functions.
Black wire (power) will attach to the in-line fused wire in the part # 55151 and run directly to the vehicles battery positive post.

I am including a link to the installation instructions on the Curt wiring harness # 56201.

I also have the Tow Ready T-One Wiring Harness, part # 118530, for your Passat Wagon that takes the guess work out of finding the right wires and you will not have to cut and splice into the vehicle wiring. It will still require a separate power wire to be ran to the vehicles battery. I am including a link to the installation instructions on the Tow Ready wiring harness.

expert reply by: Jeff D