1998 Mk4 Fiesta Ghia 1.25L 16v - Cable Not Plugged in

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Tue 6 May 2014 00:18
1998 Mk4 Fiesta Ghia 1.25L 16v - Cable Not Plugged in - parkodrive

I changed my wheels earlier and when I went to get the jack I found a cable that isnt connected to anything behind the drivers side rear light. I also know that the rear wiper isnt working and I was wondering if this cable not being plugged in is the cause? The only problem is that when I look I cant find anywhere for it to plug into. Does anyone know what this lead could be for? I'll add a photo of the cable in question as soon as I can.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 6 May 2014 08:28
1998 Mk4 Fiesta Ghia 1.25L 16v - Cable Not Plugged in - elekie&a/c doctor

The rear wiper works through the spring loaded contacts on the tailgate,so it is not that.The only thought I have,it is for the alarm horn,now removed,if the car had a factory fitted alarm system.hth

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 6 May 2014 10:48
1998 Mk4 Fiesta Ghia 1.25L 16v - Cable Not Plugged in - RobJP

Quite often cars used to have un-used connectors on the wiring loom, where foglights, optional alarms, etc would be plugged in if specified at build time. I remember installing electric aerials on Volvos back in the 90s, the connector (with a blanking plug) was all in place.

I assume this still happens with some cars - a friend of mine managed to put an (ex-scrapyard) Audi sat-nav system into a 2008 A4 recently. Cables were all ready in the boot, though he did have to get the car re-coded/re-booted to recognise the unit and fully function.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 6 May 2014 10:43
1998 Mk4 Fiesta Ghia 1.25L 16v - Cable Not Plugged in - freman

I have a simmilar situation on my 1998 Finesse, in my case the cables are for fog lights that were not fitted on that model.

Check the other side to see if you have a similar one there.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 6 May 2014 11:29
1998 Mk4 Fiesta Ghia 1.25L 16v - Cable Not Plugged in - parkodrive

Hi guys, This is the cable I was referring to:
www.dropbox.com/sc/aabstq17lnjjvfe/WPcJ4luHwh

I know it isnt for the factory fitted alarm as that still works and I did notice one of the spring loaded contacts has been pushed all the way in when I went to take this photo so I guess that would explain why the rear wiper isnt working.

I also checked my other Fiesta (I have 2 haha). Its a 1999 Finesse 1.3L and there isnt a cable in the same space.

Edited by parkodrive on 06/05/2014 at 11:29

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 6 May 2014 11:48
1998 Mk4 Fiesta Ghia 1.25L 16v - Cable Not Plugged in - elekie&a/c doctor

Looks like a bulb holder for a boot light.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 6 May 2014 14:37
1998 Mk4 Fiesta Ghia 1.25L 16v - Cable Not Plugged in - parkodrive

That makes sense actually, I couldnt for the live of me find somewhere for it to plug in. Thanks for the info guys.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link