Unused wires under seat

[TurboLlew]

N00b question, but I can't seem to find an answer after looking today.

There are 4 wires under my back seat that don't seem to be connected to anything. They are not live. They are coming from a fairly 'important looking' black sheath going to the rear of the car making me think they are for a rear demister (which I don't have on my window) or perhaps a leftover relic from a rewiring exercise for the rear lights.

The colours don't really match anything I've seen on the wiring diagrams online (from thesamba) - except the black thin one that is labeled 'extra' on a couple of diagrams.

Everything seems to work just fine without them being plugged in to wherever it is they are meant to go.

They are yellow/red, brown and brown/yellow. All have spade connectors and are not just 'cut off' making me think they should probably plug into a relay somewhere there.

I'm sure it is nothing major but it would be nice to identify them.

[buggyfan]

Might be wires that used to run to the diagnostic plug fitted in the engine bay

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewt ... caca74e9b6

[Tony Z]

at a guess, someone did an alternator conversion on your car at one stage and those wires are the leftovers from where your regulator used to be.
Check if you cant find the same in your engine bay somewhere

[Dawie]

As Buggyfan mentioned, probably from the diagnostic plug used by VW during the 70's. The original Willard batteries from the 70's had an extra little sensing terminal for one of these wires. Other wires measured the volt drop across earth cable, to determine charging current and starter draw, etc.

[TurboLlew]

I seem to have an alternator with the external regulator in the recess below the seat. No sign of any loose wiring in the engine bay (I think I will make cleaning this up my next priority after the wiring inspection LOL)

Lead idea at the moment is that diagnostic plug.

I'll tape them off just in case and leave them be for now.