Unknown Wire and Connector near Exhaust

[sniehof]

Hi all,

I have a 2007 Chevy Avalanche that has 100k miles on it that I got from my Uncle last summer (upgraded from my 96' Ford Ranger). The avalanche has every bell and whistle that my Uncle could think of, so I am still figuring it all out. Last fall, I got rear ended by someone in traffic that was looking at their phone. Short story - he got arrested for not having a license.

The dealership had to replace the front and back bumpers, tailgate, quarter panels, etc. My uncle had a radar detector put in that was in the front bumper and rear license plate holder. I was walking up to my truck yesterday, and saw this wire/connector hanging down. I have never seen this before, and I asked around but no one knew what it was.

The wires are in a harness and flow into the main rear wiring harness. I was thinking it was for the backup sensor, but they all have wires running to them (picture of a backup sensor in the link). I am not sure if it goes to the radar detector or if it is something else. Truck runs normally and doesn't have any dash lights on.

It looks as if I cannot post pictures, since I am a new member. I put a link to my google drive with 2 photos of the wires/connectors and 1 of the backup sensor. Please use your mouse to hover over the link or copy/past the link address in a word doc to see that it is not a virus/spam. If someone knows how I can post pictures (it tells me to contact an administrator), please advise.

In the interim - Avalanche Wire/Connector Pics

Thanks everyone,
Sniehof

 

[MS03 2500]

Does it have a trailer plug in it now.

 

[ca2kjet]

@sniehof I've bumped you up to a full member so you can attach photos. That doesn't look like a factory wire loom and the trailer plug wiring should be on the opposite side of the truck. Any chance you could post a few more photos of the backend area?

 

[sniehof]

@ca2kjet Thank you! Sorry for the delay in response, but we went camping this weekend without service (a wonderful thing). It does have a trailer plug! @newavguy

Here are some more photos, and oddly enough...I chased the wire and found the same exact plug on the other end of bed (unconnected to anything). I was mistaken that it ran into the main wiring harness. It looks like these wires are not plugged into anything and just run across the underside of the bumper/bed. If you need more photos of just the underside of the truck, I am happy to take them! These really focus on chasing the wire.

Any ideas as to what they went to? I find it hard to believe that someone installed them and matched the wiring harness just to let them sit, not plugged into anything.

 

[ca2kjet]

No worries They look like light bulb sockets. Maybe the previous owner had additional reverse lighting? I noticed there's a wire with some splices on it dangling near the license plate. I'd be curious to know where that one leads. Can you confirm that you have working license plate lights?

 

[frito]

No worries They look like light bulb sockets. Maybe the previous owner had additional reverse lighting? I noticed there's a wire with some splices on it dangling near the license plate. I'd be curious to know where that one leads. Can you confirm that you have working license plate lights?

They actually look more like three splices (the blue things if that's what you're referring to) to me, but my eyesight ain't what it used to be ? Agreed on the auxiliary lighting theory, or maybe a backup camera the PO opted to keep.

 

[EXT4ME]

Perhaps toss a meter (or a bulb) in those sockets and see when they power up?

If they heat up when the truck is in reverse, that may yield a clue as to their purpose.

The splices suggest a backup camera of some sort.

See is one of those wires heats up while in reverse, as well.

If a power wire is determined, start looking in the cab for the other end that would attach to a monitor of some sort.

Those are my guesses, for what they are worth.

 

[ronthehandymanga]

Look more like it is fitted to a hole in metal with the outer ring being the ground, backup sensor?

 

[sniehof]

Hi all,

Thanks for the quick responses everyone! I will check the license plate lights here in a few minutes and report back @ca2kjet! That could definitely be a possibility that the PO had additional lighting, because I know he does on his new truck.

The splicing that you guys mentioned goes to the radar detector that is installed in the license plate holder (at least it looks like that's what it goes to)!

The truck does have a working backup camera along with backup sensors @ronthehandymanga @frito, so I am not sure how they would be functioning if these went to it, but these connectors are almost identical to the connectors for the backup sensors. I just don't know why there would be extra underneath, when all four sensors are connected.

@EXT4ME I will try throwing in a bulb to see if it lights up in when I put the truck in reverse! That's a good idea that might be able to at least help narrow it down.

 

[ronthehandymanga]

Or get a pix of the inside to see what kind of contacts are there.

 

[redheadedrod]

Yea no doubt that those were lights. Some people put lighting into the bumper step area to help with reverse lighting. I just put really bright LED's in my reverse lights. If the rear bumper was replaced it is possible that the shop just unhooked the sockets and left them there.