Hi there. I just removed the rear bumper from my car and I found this wire. It wasnt connected to anything, it was just hanging there. I didnt see it on the wiring diagram but I might just be blind. Thanks for the help!

 

That plug is a basic/standard trailer/hitch lighting plug.

 

Huh.. thats what I originally thought but I didnt think it made sense. There doesnt seem like there is anywhere to put a hitch. Im asuming its not factory...right?

 

Wire colors often vary by manufacturer. Likely someone was towing a trailer at some time I suspect.

 

They can often be installed quickly at a rental agency. I don't know if a trailer hitch &/or wiring assembly was an available option for a 1968 4-4-2.

 

RPO U89, Wiring Harness, Trailer Electrical. A $10.53 option for 1968. Olds did not offer a trailer hitch from the factory. You needed to have that installed by the aftermarket if you wanted to pull a trailer. There were also "clamp-on" hitches available for lightweight trailers that did a good job of bending the back bumper.

 

Joe - Great feedback. Yeah, those "clamp-ons" were the unfortunate go-to hitches back in the 60s early 70s for us cheap kids w/ no $$. They were great for bending bumpers.

 

You can tell if it's OEM or not.
Look for the hack....Scotch-locks or non-sealed stake-ons or other hackery.
If it's OEM, wrap it back into the harness and tape it with loom tape, not standard electrical tape. If it's "other", remove it and seal the breach in the wire insulation by cutting & properly splicing (solder & glued shrink tube).

I cannot imagine clamping that bumper hitch to a 68 - 69 or any bumper I cared about !!!!

 

Thanks all for the help. I doubt its stock. The way it was wired in was horrible. One of the wires was about a foot longer than it should be and was wrapped in a coil secured with electrical tape.

 

Definitely a hackopotamus.