# What is this electrical cable for/connected to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 29, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357 "2017-07-29T01:11:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![meiokl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@meiokl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meiokl)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/1 "2017-07-29T01:11:55Z")
I have a Mitsubishi Endeavor 2005. I knocked over my side plastic cover by my passenger seat. When I tried to put it back on, I accidentally pushed it too hard and exposed one of the wires behind the cover. It doesn’t look like the cable is broken/damaged, just the plastic/wrapping part scrapped off. Does anyone know what is this cable for? Connected to? Can I just wrap some electrical tape around it? Or do I need to bring it to mechanic to get it replaced? Thanks [[Album] Cable ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/8/83063b134ad75bb78e21ba7172d041a2308ab179.jpg "Cable") ](https://imgur.com/a/MDnqp) ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/2 "2017-07-29T01:29:23Z")
If your radio antenna is at the rear of the car the black cable is the antenna wire and it doesn’t appear to be damaged. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/3 "2017-07-29T01:29:28Z")
Can’t tell from the picture. Just wrap electrical tape around it ,put it back and if every thing works drive on. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 1:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/4 "2017-07-29T01:35:13Z")
Excuse me! on second look I see the photo of the wire with insulation pealed off and that does need some attention. Ideally the wire should be cut and soldered back together in order to get heat shrink around the bare spot but if carefully taped and secured it should be OK. ---
**Author:** ![meiokl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@meiokl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meiokl)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/5 "2017-07-29T01:46:55Z")
Thanks, Do you know what that might be connected to?.. I thought it was passengers air bag but it doesn’t seem to be connected to underneath the car seat ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/6 "2017-07-29T01:52:43Z")
Mr. Toraben, you did not know it was there before so if nothing has stopped working I would just not even concern myself about it. But you could go to the dealer but it might cost to find out. ---
**Author:** ![meiokl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@meiokl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meiokl)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/7 "2017-07-29T01:54:11Z")
True. I just wanted to make sure it’s nothing critical like air bags or something. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/8 "2017-07-29T02:24:53Z")
The red/yellow wire appears to be connected to that ground connection on the lower cowl, that is not an airbag. Airbag leads and connectors outside of the main wiring harness are identified by a yellow wrap or tubing. If you don’t have shrink tubing for wiring repairs you can apply some RTV to the cut to keep moisture out, then tape it up. ---
**Author:** ![meiokl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@meiokl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meiokl)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/9 "2017-07-29T02:31:58Z")
That makes sense. I just took a second look at the copper. it appears to be undamaged and still intact. I’ll mummify it with electrical tape. I don’t have RTVV though 😕 ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/10 "2017-07-29T03:20:05Z")
> [@toraben86](#): > > I don’t have RTVV though 😕 RTV is simply Room Temperature Vulcanizing silicone silastic. It’s available in small tubes for a few bucks at any hardware store. It’s easy to use and an excellent insulator, anchor, and in many cases even an adhesive. I agree with the suggestion because this irregular construction will be difficult to secure against vibration with electrical tape, and if that isn’t done it’s exposed to road vibration and may come apart. ---
**Author:** ![meiokl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@meiokl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meiokl)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/11 "2017-07-29T03:53:19Z")
Thanks Sorry if this is dumb but is there any type I have to use? or any RTV will do? Like this? [http://www.autozone.com/sealants-glues-adhesives-and-tape/rtv-adhesive/permatex-water-pump-and-thermostat-rtv-silicone-gasket/516195\_0\_0](http://www.autozone.com/sealants-glues-adhesives-and-tape/rtv-adhesive/permatex-water-pump-and-thermostat-rtv-silicone-gasket/516195_0_0) ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 4:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/12 "2017-07-29T04:05:35Z")
I don’t think you should buy a tube of RTV for only this purpose, I suggested it because it is something that some of us have an abundance of. Most people would simply wrap the bare wire with electrical tape but it would be better to apply something to keep moisture out. Any type of adhesive that you have around the house will work. With the wire being inside the car protection from moisture really isn’t critical. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 4:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-cable-for-connected-to/106357/13 "2017-07-29T04:31:20Z")
> [@toraben86](#): > > Like this? Sure, that’d work fine. As would this for $3.98 at the hardware store. ![077027005004](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/c/ca2d8fd4f3964fa9f9f08fba6bd4d3ca1a572fae.jpg)