Mystery wire

[kristoj]

I have had my car apart for many months now and as i am putting it back together, I have an extra wire that I have no idea where it goes. It is a single white wire in the engine bay, that comes out of the firewall on the passenger side under the coolant reservoir (same hole in firewall that carries the oxygen sensor wire, Mass airflow sensor wire, FI harness and lighting harness for passenger side). It has a protective black sheath on it and a single connector on the end that is a black plastic recangular female connector that would appear to fit on a male tab connector. It measures 17 inches in length. Anyone have any idea what it is or where it goes? I have notes on every wire on that side of the car except this one.

[mbouse]

turn the ignition on and stick your tongue on the end of the wire while holding onto the radiator neck.


ok, just kidding. Follow the wire to its source inside the firewall under the dash. betcha the source will reveal a lot about the intended use.

[ventura ace]

Perhaps the windshield squirter motor?? It's located right in that area on the earlier spiders. Sounds like you have a later spider, though (mass airflow sensor).

[DMECMAnderson]

Got the same wire in my '81. I can't find ANY reference to it in the wiring diagrams. I've traced it back through the firewall. Seems to originate in the FI computer. My wire has been badly 'burned" somewhere along the way. I don't know if it saw too much current or got too close to something really hot (exhaust manifold). It's a mystery that I can't seem to solve. For now its just sitting there.

[Danno]

well, if you want more evidence to support that it's something FI related, then here it is. I have the 2L Carb model and I have no such wire. I hope that helps, if even only a little bit!

[pope]

I have found a reference that if you plug the white wire in, your fuel economy will become 45 mpg, and you will double your hp. Mine is installed.

[kristoj]

Guys,

Thanks for the help. I had suspected that it was not hooked up to anything to begin with, because I took very detailed notes of every wire as I disconnected them, and there is no reference in any of my notes to this wire. The only thing I can guess is that it controls some accessory that my car doesn't have -- perhaps A/C? If I am not mistaken, I believe the A/C compressor would be located on the passenger side of the engine.

I guess I'll just leave it there and hope the car runs when I finish putting it back together in the next week or two.

John

[htchevyii]

that's funny, I just noticed that wire today & was trying to figure out if I forgot to hook it up!

[So Cal Mark]

I've seen that wire many times while removing instrument clusters. I'll try to track down what it does

[greggl]

I have found a reference that if you plug the white wire in, your fuel economy will become 45 mpg, and you will double your hp. Mine is installed.

Mine runs the headlight fluid pump.

[mbouse]

sorry, too rich to resist....must..not..t y p e.....

you have liquid HEADLIGHTS?

[Danno]

sorry, too rich to resist....must..not..t y p e.....

you have liquid HEADLIGHTS?

Probably not really liquid. Probably more like a gelatinous type deal like silicone (hey, these cars are from before saline became the thing)