TheSamba.com :: View topic - wiring open ends 73 T2b Riviera GE engine

Sun Aug 10, 2025 4:32 am

Hi,

I'm still working on an introduction to the forum with my 1973 Riviera T2b project which is almost done. Any hints on correct forum placement are most welcome.

Here I have a left question regarding wiring. As you see in the pictures I have some "open ends".

1.) There are two resistors (as I would identify them) in the engine bay. The white one seems to be a "pre-resistor" for the coil? No wire attached to it. Engine starting and running as it should. Can anybody help me identifying (and connecting it) correctly?
The metallic one could be related to the radio? Does anybody recognize it and again help me identifying (and connecting it) correctly?

2.) There is a wire with a grey isolation holding two green wires and an open copper wire. I'm absolutely lost what this could be for! Does anybody recognize it, explain it, guide me to correctly connect it?

Thank you and greetings from Cologne!

Markus

Sun Aug 10, 2025 8:28 am

Welcome!
VW didn't install either of those resistors, a factory style electrical system doesn't use them.
Without seeing where that gray cable goes I can't confirm, but it's very likely part of the dealer diagnostic system, also redundant now.

Sun Aug 10, 2025 4:27 pm

Your gray sheathing looks like it contains two green conductors plus a shield wire or at least on uninsulated ground.. Nothing like that on there from the factory that I am aware of.

Tue Aug 12, 2025 1:01 am

busdaddy wrote: Welcome!
VW didn't install either of those resistors, a factory style electrical system doesn't use them.
Without seeing where that gray cable goes I can't confirm, but it's very likely part of the dealer diagnostic system, also redundant now.

Yes - the wire seems to be related to the dealer diagnostic system.

I remember the white pre-resistor from my Mustang. It looks very similar. I guess it goes to the coil there to keep the voltage low and thus "de-stress" the coil.

I'll insulate the open end and ignore both for now.

Thank you very much!

Tue Aug 12, 2025 7:43 am

The correct coil uses no resistor, it's powered direct from the harness.

Tue Aug 12, 2025 9:35 am

Those look like old school resistors that someone put in because of LED's installed.

Sat Aug 16, 2025 6:22 pm

jjvincent wrote: Those look like old school resistors that someone put in because of LED's installed.
Agreed!