Mystery socket

[nathanwedge]

I've just bought a 1990 USA multivan and it has a small round black electrical type socket next to the right rear light, does anyone know what it does? Cheers in advance I'm new to the 25s I have a bay and a beetle and this is by far the nicest vw to drive

[AdrianC]

I've just bought a 1990 USA multivan and it has a small round black electrical type socket next to the right rear light, does anyone know what it does?

Does it have a towbar?
How many pins does the socket have?
Does it appear to be connected to anything internally?

Not sure what they use over there for trailer light sockets (and remember their fondness for flashing brake lights instead of indicators ), but the 'merkins have a fondness for electrical trailer brakes, instead of the more usual over-run type - so it might be something to do with that?

Alternatively, d'you know where in the US it came from? If it was a cold-winters place, might be an engine block heater?

[Mickyfin]

Does itlook like this..?

Large old type



Or

Newer small type



If so, its an engine block heater as mentioned above. Usually has Defa or Calix stamped into the plastic cap.

[nathanwedge]

its the smaller one and mystery solved cheers!! Its from south Carolina