Any know where this connector should go?

[GraemeSmith]

I was poking around the engine bay of my T6 and I found this connector just laying on a strut to the left of the engine block. I’ve googled the part number, but that just tells me that it’s a VW connector. Inside there is a single flat metal pin. Any ideas what this could be, and whether it should be plugged in somewhere?

 

[TripleBee]

What is on the other side? Does it also have a VW number?

 

[GraemeSmith]

I’ve added another photo. The wire out of the back of the connector attaches to something that looks and feels like a plastic ribbon. In the attached picture, each background square is 1cm to give an idea of size. There are no obvious wires in the ribbon. No part number on the ribbon end, only on the connector itself, but this just takes me to a picture of a standard connector. (071 973 651).
The ribbon looks like it’s sheared off from somewhere. Fairly flat, could maybe be an earth strap?

 

[TripleBee]

Hmm, not seen that before, and certainly not on my old engine.

There is nothing else in your engine bay you see that could be the other end of this mysterious thing?

 

[GraemeSmith]

I've had a good look around the area, and on the underside of the dash, but I don't see either an empty socket OR another half piece of ribbon. So I really don't know where it came from. Cal hasn't moved for 5 weeks due to the lockdown, but was fully working last time we were on the road (as far as I know!).

 

[BigSky]

Just a thought, have you had a windscreen replaced? looks similar to the tag that attaches to a heating element.

 

[GraemeSmith]

Just a thought, have you had a windscreen replaced? looks similar to the tag that attaches to a heating element.

Thanks BigSky - yes, I think you're right. I had a thread on this running on Facebook also and someone there had some experience in fitting windscreens. He gave me some pointers and I eventually found some pictures online that match this connector. The Cali was an ex-dealer demo and we just bought it recently. I don't know if the windscreen has been replaced, but it seemed to work last time I tried it. I'll get it looked at under warranty at the next service, but I'm not too bothered over the summer! My main worry was that it was something important that had fallen off

 

[BigSky]

It looked similar to one I had to cut off a replacement screen (not on a Cali) as the new screen had the male and female connectors reversed and after two attempts by the fitters to source a genuine screen I resorted to cutting and soldering the connections.

 

[TripleBee]

Thanks BigSky - yes, I think you're right. I had a thread on this running on Facebook also and someone there had some experience in fitting windscreens. He gave me some pointers and I eventually found some pictures online that match this connector. The Cali was an ex-dealer demo and we just bought it recently. I don't know if the windscreen has been replaced, but it seemed to work last time I tried it. I'll get it looked at under warranty at the next service, but I'm not too bothered over the summer! My main worry was that it was something important that had fallen off

What year is your van? What year are all the other windows? Compare with the date on the front windscreen.
It is a dual or single number near the dots. In the top example, the year is 2003, or 2013.
This way you can see if they all match together. If all your windows are 6 or 16, and the front is 9 or 19, then you have a new window.

 

[GraemeSmith]

Thanks - Just checked and the number by the dots is "8" on the side and the front windows

 

[GraemeSmith]

Sorry, forgot to add the van is a '19 plate, registered May 2019

 

[TripleBee]

Sorry, forgot to add the van is a '19 plate, registered May 2019

That would be correct. Windows made in 2018, fitted in an early 2019 van.

 

[GraemeSmith]

Thanks. So it seems like the windows match each other and match the van. So the chances are that the windscreen hasn't been replaced (although there's always a chance). I wonder how this connector "fell off" then?

I think I'll have to go out next time it's cold and boil a kettle to get some condensation on the windows and see whether the whole windscreen clears properly!

 

[TripleBee]

Thanks. So it seems like the windows match each other and match the van. So the chances are that the windscreen hasn't been replaced (although there's always a chance). I wonder how this connector "fell off" then?

I think I'll have to go out next time it's cold and boil a kettle to get some condensation on the windows and see whether the whole windscreen clears properly!

The windscreen can be replaced very early, having the same date stamp on it.

If you breathe on the window, there is a chance you create condensation, so you don't really have to wait and get boiling water. Just early in the morning when there is no sun yet.