W124 mystery wire
 

As it turns out, I have a talent for finding, or perhaps more accurately, creating mystery wires. Found one under the intake manifold when I did the injector valve o-rings. Found one in the dash when I replaced the radio. While I was sifting through the octopus farm behind the radio to find mystery wire #2 to put back in place, I found mystery wire #3.

The latest is brownish with a blue stripe. Female blade connector in a plastic fitting with an aluminum bracket. I found it behind the radio. Looking around back there with a mirror, I could not find a slot or a male connector to slide it onto.

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Photo0269.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Photo0270.jpg

Anyone have any idea what this is? Even better, any idea where it goes?

Thanks!
Tom

PS M impetus to get into the car to work was installation of the side mirror switch I was given for Christmas. That seemed to go well. I seem to knock more stuff loose in tighter confines, like the inside of the dash.

it looks like a bulb socket maybe? Not sure. what it looks like to me

Thanks!

I've been poring over my manual tonight looking for "/bl" on the wiring diagram. There are a handful of that correspond to illumination on the AC vents and the headlamp switch, etc. Maybe I unhooked the ashtray light, or some such. I'll test that the next time I am in the car in the dark.

I appreciate the suggestion.

Tom

Not OEM radio??
 

I think it is a ground wire for the factory radio. Don't worry about it.

Hmmmm. I'll look at the back of the original radio to see if I can find a mate.

Thanks for the thought!
Tom

yup...the original radio will have something to plug that into.

aren`t ground wires brown? he said it is brownish with blue stripe.

Charlie

That wire plugged into the casing of the OEM radio. The metal clip gave it away. It will be touching the casing to ground the radio, it may be an electrical static thing as there is a ground already.

I believe that it is the security wire to the original radio. If connected/disconnected in the incorrect sequence with the battery connected, it will render the radio inoperable. If the radio is removed with the alarm sounding, it will render the radio inoperable.

For an aftermarket radio this wire is not used.

Is there a fatcory alarm on the car?? Sounds like the alarm connector to the radio

Yup, that's for the alarm. The shape of the plug makes it pull off the back of the radio when you remove it from the dashboard, which locks the radio.

-J

Thanks for all the info, guys!

Regards,
Tom

Just to tie up the loose end, I pulled out the old radio. There is a male blade connector at the bottom on the back of the radio. The goofy aluminum bracket looks like it would end up right along the bottom of the radio if the spare wire were connected in that spot.

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

Tom