Trailer Wiring Harness Installation on a 2013 Volkswagen Golf TDI

Updated 06/18/2014 | Published 06/17/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

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$87.94

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

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$14.86

Question:

I am interested in not only the correct harness for my 2013 Golf TDI but also if you have any installation videos or instruction specific to my vehicle, showing removal of panels or what it takes to get to the tail lights on my car. I see one for jetta, jetta wagon etc but not for Golf TDI 2 door hatch back.

asked by: Marv

Expert Reply:

The trailer wiring harness that I recommend for your 2013 Volkswagen Golf TDI is the Curt Trailer Wiring Harness, # C59236. This harness was designed to work with vehicles that use taillight wiring with pulse width modulation (PWM). PWM sends power to the vehicle tail lights as signal pulses, so it requires a wiring harness with a powered converter to decipher those pulses.

The best instruction we can give you at this time is to access the taillight wiring either by removing the interior trim panels or by removing the taillight assemblies and use a circuit tester, like part # PTW2993, to test the wires. Have a helper activate each of the taillight functions as you probe the taillight wires for power. Volkswagen will use different colors than the wires on the trailer wiring harness, so it is important to test the wires and match by function, not by color.

If you are not comfortable removing the trim panels, taillights or testing the taillight wiring, I recommend taking it to a local auto shop. Most auto shops will install a trailer wiring harness.

expert reply by: John H