What the heck fell off my car?

[angry planet]

While driving to work this morning in my 68 Vette, I heard something scraping on the ground and sometimes bouncing up against my car. I pulled over and looked around and there it was: It was about 1" to 1.5" square with rounded edges on what appeared to be a U-shaped mounting bracket. It looked to be a little to the rear and to the center of the drivers side front wheel. Two wires kept it from falling off.

I was less than a mile from a good service center, so I risked it. It fell off before I could get there, but the car runs fine. They looked around underneath and traced the wires to a W-shaped plug, but since they couldn't find anything not working, they just gave me the plug and wires and sent me on my way. I drove 30 minutes home no problem.

Any guesses?

Cliff notes:
Bad news: Something fell off my car
Good news: Apparently Corvettes come with some expendable parts.

 

[duke94]

What color were the wires?

 

[angry planet]

one red, one blue (possibly blueish-grey). I am colorblind

 

[72VETTE454]

The first thing that comes to mind is the backup lamp switch. It sounds similar to what you described, but not the exact location.

 

[angry planet]

The location is a little in doubt. I got a quick look from under the passenger side. It was on the side of the freeway and I didn't feel like rolling around under the car right then.

I am 99% sure it was the driver's front quadrant though.

It if was the backup lamp switch, what does that mean? It is a problem?

 

[fine69]

The location is a little in doubt. I got a quick look from under the passenger side. It was on the side of the freeway and I didn't feel like rolling around under the car right then.

I am 99% sure it was the driver's front quadrant though.

It if was the backup lamp switch, what does that mean? It is a problem?

The wires to the back-up switch are usually pink and green (which could be confusing if you're color blind)... are your back-up lamps working?

 

[72VETTE454]

No big deal, you just won't have any reverse lights. Try this link, there are a few pictures that might help.
http://lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/vettetech_files/Back Up Light.pdf

 

[fine69]

No big deal, you just won't have any reverse lights. Try this link, there are a few pictures that might help.
http://lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/vettetech_files/Back Up Light.pdf

Cool article... is that a pic of Mr. JohnZ ?

 

[angry planet]

Oh.... backup as in 'reverse', not backup as in 'redundant'.

I will check the backup lights tomorrow. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[JohnZ]

Cool article... is that a pic of Mr. JohnZ ?

Yes, but a poor one - this one's better.

 

[Vette79]

The secret's out. Now we know what John looks like....LOL.

 

[6880 Mike]

How about a picture of your UFO? The backup switch would not normally be near the left front fenderwell. I'm wondering whether this might be a Bubba item.

 

[fine69]

After some thought, it could also be the neutral safety switch. Those are U-shaped with the wires and connector you described.

 

[72VETTE454]

Angry Planet? Are you still with us? It is Devil's Night! hnoes