What is this cable?

[coolerelmo]

I was replacing my glove box with a used one that I got. Found this cable hanging down. Looks like to me a old cellphone connection?

[pawoSD]

Yes, that is the cell phone connector cable. Even if the car never had a phone they were all "pre-wired" in case the owner wanted one.

[coolerelmo]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Yes, that is the cell phone connector cable. Even if the car never had a phone they were all "pre-wired" in case the owner wanted one.

So this is a power cord for the phone or a antenna cable?

[Cr from Texas]

Originally Posted by coolerelmo

So this is a power cord for the phone or a antenna cable?

Antenna. You will find the other end of that cable in the trunk near the wiring for the factory antenna. My 83 has the same thing. I think it might also work for a ham radio set up.

Charles

[Shawn D.]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Yes, that is the cell phone connector cable. Even if the car never had a phone they were all "pre-wired" in case the owner wanted one.

On an '81 240d? I doubt that.

Originally Posted by Shawn D.

On an '81 240d? I doubt that.

Its true. Most every post-80 MB had it.

[KarTek]

In 1981, could that be for a CB radio? Is the connector about 3/4" in diameter? Screw ring type? Kind of like a big cable TV connector?

[JimmyL]

CB radio antenna connector......

[Shawn D.]

I can believe it's a CB radio connector, but not a phone connector. Anyone care to prove it's a phone connector with a link to a P/N and diagram showing it on the car in question?

[coolerelmo]

Originally Posted by Shawn D.

I can believe it's a CB radio connector, but not a phone connector. Anyone care to prove it's a phone connector with a link to a P/N and diagram showing it on the car in question?

It was the early 80's, this was a time when cellphones were just coming out. I would think MB would install a cable for a in the car cellphone, not a CB. CB's were for the "normal" people, not people that drive expensive cars and have money.

[chetwesley]

It looks like a CB connector, but maybe they used the same kind of antenna on the old cell phones?

[mechmagcn]

I've always heard it was for a car phone. The car phones back then weren't cell phones, but a mobile to mobile radio that usually had to connect through an operator.

[Cr from Texas]

My theory,
Given the number of 123's used for taxi service, I'd bet it's part of a common wiring harness that would provide radio service for a taxi cab company. That would be CB or similar, right?
Charles