What is this wire?

[Jmathison]

Okay, so i'm working on an 84 Westy I purchased a few months ago and noticed this wire unplugged. Without taking the entire dash out, I'm having trouble locating where it goes. I haven't been able to find a helpful wiring diagram for my year and model so I figured I would reach out the The Samba community. Also if anyone has a suggestion of where to find a diagram, i'm also having trouble getting my front heat/ac working. It works fine in the back so i'm assuming it's wiring or something simple.

Thanks!

[Ahwahnee]

Possibly relates to the stereo - perhaps the rear speakers.

The wiring diagram in the back of the Bentley is quite accurate. It does take some getting used to if you are not experienced with the German current track approach.

You might consider removing rings (or any other jewelry) when working on the van - especially if messing with electrics.

[Jmathison]

Thanks! I'll have a better look at the Bentley manual. Thanks for the tip, I always remove my jewelry and disconnect the battery when doing anything electrical. I didn't have my phone on me when I was working on it yesterday, so I just ran out quick to take a pic.

[jimf909]

FWIW, the smaller silver outlet in the dash is a 12v outlet (a DIN spec and plugs are available from BMW motorcycle, John Deere tractor dealers and other sources if you want to put it into service). It often comes up as a "whats's this?" question.

I wonder if your orphan plug fits into the back of your silver outlet?

Silver outlet threads...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/archive/index.php/o-t--t-281701--.html
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=650483

p.s. I've been going to the doctor often lately so I'm conditioned to getting answers for questions I haven't asked.
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- Jim

[Jmathison]

Thanks for the info! I actually thought the same so I checked and that smaller silver outlet is already hooked up and has power.

[Wildthings]

Where do the other ends of the wires go. The solid colored wires indicate that it is probably for some aftermarket gadgetry.

[Jmathison]

It looks like it goes up and back towards the back of the van. Probably the radio in the back installed by the heat/ac fans. Thanks!

[Abscate]

[Gnarlodious]

Speaker wires to the back. They use a common ground wire (grey), which is why there are only three wires. A modern sound system needs separate ground wires, so it is recommended to run another wire proactively.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[smd333]

I have a hard time deciphering the wiring diagrams in the bentley. Probably will get better with practice I have an 8 year plan
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Dona and Mike
1986 Wolfsburg Weekender

[wbailey2112]

If you found this somewhere behind the glove box it's definitely the three wires that lead back to the rear speakers. If you are planning to upgrade to a modern stereo you will need to either run a fourth wire back to the rear speakers, so that each rear speaker has a separate ground, or purchase a floating ground adapter which is the approach we took when we installed our Blaupunkt Columbus in our Westy. We went with the Scosche Floating Ground Adapter that I found on Amazon.
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'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia

[Gnarlodious]

[crazyvwvanman]

The separate various radio wiring diagrams are there for 86+ vans.
The 86 radio diagram has the same 3 wire colors for the rear speakers.

Mark

[Jmathison]

Thanks for all the help everyone! Makes sense. I found an adaptor so that i can use it with my stereo.

[Ahwahnee]