Hey People,

Perhaps someone with more familiarity on the xB(gen 1) can answer this. This morning, I walked out to my car, and just like any other morning, started kicking at the ice that has built up on the rear quarters of my car (in the rear of the back wheel well.)

Well, apparently ice had formed around some 2 wire cable harness, and when I kicked the bumper its weight pulled the cable out (along with a small piece of plastic, wherever the plug was attached).

Its my worry, that this is a cable for the impact sensors (which deals w/ the SRS airbag system). I looked under the bumper and saw 1-2 more cables attached to other places along the rear bumper (like the center of the rear bumper).

I drove by a nearby auto body shop, but to do an estimate they want to charge $75, just to remove and examine the bumper.


So my questions are (for the knowledgeable) (1) what is this cable's purpose? (2) would you know the part number / any relevant information to it (3) whats the cost of the part / should I expect a repair shop to charge for the work, if you happen to know that information.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

~ V

 

Also, im in MN, not AZ as my tag still says.

 

Where are you located in MN? if you are around St. Paul I could possibly help you and look at it.

 

I live in Woodbury/Oakdale, but go to school in St.Paul

 

if its only 2 wires sounds like it could also be going to the side marker.
turn you turn signal on and see if the side marker on the side where the wire broke works.

 

pictures would be nice too.

 

Sure, I'll get some images up in a few hours.

 

Here they are. This is of the left (drivers side)-rear bumper section, behind the wheel

 

The red sidemarkers on the rear of the car are just reflectors. Only the front quarter panels have turn-signaling markers.

edit:

well, I found this : https://www.scionlife.com/tech/manua.../xb04_1829.gif which seems to have a wiring harness cable running to the side markers.

If they do light up, mine havent, or I cant tell. (I went outside and hit the L/R blinker, but didnt see anything flash on them) I'll have to check if they turn on w/ the headlights.

 

From the picture it looks like the plugs for the rear side markers and they work with parking lights/headlights. I have seen them come unplugged from driving. Good luck

 

Yeah, the microfiche / repair manual link I posted started to make me think that. I'll go outside in a bit and check the headlights to see if that is in fact the marker cable / issue.

I'll post back when I check, but any more ideas people have are appreciated.


ps. if that is the plug, my only problem now is, that the plug took whatever it was plugged into with it when it got ripped out by the ice. Maybe Gorilla Glue can fix it ...maybe..

 

yea, that looks like a light clip. i think all the airbag ones are yellow, not positive though.

 

It's for the side marker. It doesn't blink with the turn signals. Unless of course you are low on blinker fluid, and then they blink as a notification to the driver saying they need to buy more blinker fluid. they are very easy to put back in though... check out that gif link again and you'll see how the light is just tension clipped.

 

Okay, went out and checked the lights. It does seem to be the clip to the light (thankfully). I verified the light doesnt turn on, but the other side does.

I'll check the blinker fluid. I'll call my local autozone and ask them. I think the part number was A1-R..right? (I kid, I kid).

So thanks to everyone who posted. I'll check the cost of the clip (as the clip broke off in the plug, not the plug w/wires). At this point, and with the help of the forum, I can save myself some $.

Thanks everyone.

~ V

 

Yup, judging by location, the overwrap,and connector size it'sthe rear side marker. The ABS speed sensor is in front of the rear wheels, not behind. The center rear bumper is just a harness junction for the other lighting. There is other wiring under the car by the gas tank for the vapor collector but they aren't long enough to hang out like that.

 

and to think, that shop wanted to charge you $75 to "fix" it.


Sometimes I believe forums are more useful and helpful that real garages.

 

You could mold ice around your bumpers and craft a new body kit!

 

This same thing just happened to me today. I was driving home at about 55 mph and heard a thump in the rear of my xB. When I got home I checked the rear and found the same wire hanging under my bumper. The connector looks like it broke off in the same place as the pictures you posted above. This is the result of a bad design. When I looked at the bumper I found ice and snow high up under the bumper behind the other tire as well. I figure that the thump I heard was ice falling off of the bumper and it took the wire with it. Right side bumper marker no longer turns on when I turn my lights on. It looks like it broke the connector off of the light though so I'll have to buy a new one I think.

 

Actually, it's better the light connector break than the one on the harness side. The light is easily replaceable, the wiring harness, not so much. I bleeive it does have a disconnect at the middle of the bumper, so if you need a new harness it should at least be a short run. For people with this problem, were your fender liners still in place?

 

roflmao