Loose Wire Under Air Filter Box and Battery Tray on a 98 S70

S70nist · Post by **S70nist** » 21 Nov 2007, 00:33

I've just installed a rebuilt ABS unit on my S70 and noticed, upon removing the air filter box and battery tray that there was a disconnected wire crammed right under.
As an identifying feature, the wire/wires that is encased in black plastic cover, similar to that covering the battery wires, has a 20v fuse attached, and given the dirty condition of the original fuse I took the initiative to replace it with a new one fuse. The extremity of the wire would have been connected somewhere weren't it stripped. I don't think it is related to the battery wires. Any idea as to what the function is and where it would have been connected to? Thanks

Mileage 173K

sixdown · Post by **sixdown** » 21 Nov 2007, 07:13

Sounds like a grounding wire, and there is one under the battery tray that bolts to the car's frame. Is it the same thickness as the battery wire and does it have the same hard plastic cover? If so, it probably is.

S70nist · Post by **S70nist** » 02 Dec 2007, 17:43

Thanks sixdown for the reply. Makes sense, what else could it be, right? It does have a hard plastic cover, and it had a stripped terminal on the end that would have potentially functioned as ground when attached. I'll simply reattach to the side and see what develops.

bobsnow100 · Post by **bobsnow100** » 02 Dec 2007, 18:08

I don't think it a grounding wire because it wouldn't have a fuse.A fuse would only be installed on a positive wire.

S70nist · Post by **S70nist** » 02 Dec 2007, 18:30

bobsnow100 wrote:I don't think it a grounding wire because it wouldn't have a fuse.A fuse would only be installed on a positive wire.

Thanks bobsnow100.
That sounds credible indeed, what do you think could be then?

bobsnow100 · Post by **bobsnow100** » 02 Dec 2007, 19:07

I am not sure but a lot of time cars have extra wire connectors for different accessories.If you buy a car without AC for example the wire connectors are still on the harness but nothing connects to it unless you got the AC as an extra. It could of been for fog lights or some other extra accessory.Maybe for an alarm system. If it has in an line fuse like that I am guessing it might of been something the previous owner added on
Do all the electrical things in you car work?

S70nist · Post by **S70nist** » 02 Dec 2007, 19:34

Fog lights are in working condition, so is the alarm system, the AC is not working at the moment, too cold, but I suspect it isn't pertinent, and just about all the electrical functions appear to be in order; moreover, there are no check engine, ABS, or any other lights on.

Not easy to figure this thing out, I've been looking for pics, diagrams of that particular spot, but without success so far. Thanks for the cool suggestions anyway.
I should go over the A/C again and confirm whether it is fully operational or not, so to possibly eliminate this option.