Mystery rubber plug - anyone familiar?

Leems · May 4, 2017

Could use a parts expert on this one: When running a new cable from the engine compartment into the passenger compartment for a front-mounted light bar, I used an existing hole in the car body that allows the cable to enter into the interior directly behind the brake pedal.

When I pushed out the rubber plug from the inside, it got lost somewhere - maybe inside a skid plate, on the transmission - either way, it's MIA and I need a replacement, but the part number can't be found.

I first went online to check the Mopar parts site and thought I had it narrowed down to two numbers, keeping in mind that almost no description is attached to any of them, except maybe the benign "rubber plug", so the ID isn't easy. I tried P/N
68197674AA and 5116448AC and went to the dealer parts department, explained that they should verify my numbers, which they did, so I ordered both. When I picked them up today, they were not the right parts.

An experienced parts man came out and looked at the vehicle and went inside to the drawings and could not find the exact plug. I've worked extensively with assembly drawings and understand that if something isn't on a parts list, it doesn't go into a vehicle, so how can this be?

The plug is shown in the Auxlight 22" light bar installation on Youtube by a guy called "carguy11" and he has the same plug as I do (did). Is there anyone out there that has the correct part number for that plug? I appreciate any info on this because I have a temporary plug in there to keep weather out, but it is far from ideal. Thanks in advance. Note: the interior hole had a black plastic patch with adhesive.

Mark_ · May 4, 2017

Yuck. Trying to find the part now, but hae to get some sleep... I think I have a good pic of the grommet for you, so if you can look at a diagram again maybe it will help ID the bugger : http://jeepcherokeeclub.com/65-elec...com/65-electronics-audio-lighting/143313-pillar-mount-lights-8.html#post1655905

I'll post back if I ever find the part#...

Mark_ · May 4, 2017

Could it be called a master cylinder plug ? If so, I found a part# but no pics... anywhere...

https://www.moparpartsoverstock.com...tOrder=Relevance&isOnSale=0&isAccessory=0&isPerformance=0&searchTerm=52104862AA

Part #52104862AA

Leems · May 4, 2017

Mark_,

The parts guy and I may been looking at the wrong drawings, they were the 060 Body Sheet Metal Except Doors drawings and nowhere do I find the p/n 52104862AA. That could be it, actually.

In the carguy11 video for the Auxbeam light bar install, he shows the actual plug that he carves out to run the cable. That's the same plug I'm looking for and could be what you found. Wish there was a drawing of the plug, then I could be certain. Thanks for digging into it.

tbrou6229 · May 4, 2017

I've actually got the plug itself somewhere. I think it's in my center console, but I don't think it has any part numbers on it.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Leems · May 4, 2017

Is it about 30mm in diameter, with a thumb/forefinger grab on the outside?

4x4tographer · May 5, 2017

Extremely interested in this as well. I had the same issue with the plug going MIA. I ended up sealing the hole with a silicone sealant in the meantime to discourage water from coming in.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Leems · May 5, 2017

I'm sure that if the plug is identified, it will get posted here.

racerx1986 · May 5, 2017

Post a pic of the plug

Mark_ · May 5, 2017

Pics here >>> http://jeepcherokeeclub.com/65-elec...com/65-electronics-audio-lighting/143313-pillar-mount-lights-8.html#post1655905

richallcorn · May 5, 2017

If you are unable to find a plug, you can build a seal up with silicone sealant ...

Leems · May 6, 2017

I did because of the need to keep that as dry as possible. Hopefully, it will not be observed by anyone because my already shaky reputation will take a lethal hit.

IRSmart · May 5, 2017

i THINK i found the one you're looking at, although it's hard to tell because chrysler's dash schematic shows it with all components removed. but i'm pretty sure what you need is plug #2, which is part number 68197674AA, described as "PLUG, Rubber, 16.3X22.4MM"

EDIT: I just read your post and saw that this is not the correct plug, since you already tried it. is one of the grommets pointed at in the picture above?

Leems · May 6, 2017

IRSmart said:
i THINK i found the one you're looking at, although it's hard to tell because chrysler's dash schematic shows it with all components removed. but i'm pretty sure what you need is plug #2, which is part number 68197674AA, described as "PLUG, Rubber, 16.3X22.4MM"

A
EDIT: I just read your post and saw that this is not the correct plug, since you already tried it. is one of the grommets pointed at in the picture above?

No, this does not seem to be the drawing. I actually reached out to Jeep Customer Care and forwarded the photo from the link that Mark_ provided so we'll see what they come up with. Someone has to know.

Leems · May 8, 2017

Looking for anything that could help, I tried Jeep Customer assistance and after several back and forth emails, I have this juicy tidbit:

#########

Thank you for replying to the Jeep Customer Assistance Center.

Unfortunately pictures do not come through. Without knowing what the
part name is we cannot assist in locating the part number. The best
thing to do is talking to the service department at a dealership in
hopes they will know which part you are looking for. We are not
technically trained and rely on our dealerships for questions like
these. I am sorry I cannot assist you further.

Thank you again for your email. Should you require additional
assistance, or have any new information to provide, please reply to this
email message or call 1-877-I-AM-JEEP

##########

They can't receive pictures and I had already explained that the local dealership could not help me. Their reply basically reads like: "go away".

Mark_ · May 8, 2017

I'm afraid that is an industry-wide thing. Car companies refuse to engage in any form of techinical assistance outside of dealership service departments. Well, I know of one possible exception... and her first name is Kori, haha.

Anyway... the picture thing doesn't surprise me, because if they could receive pictures (they probably can but won't admit it...), that means they would have to look at them... and try to reply to a technical question... which they are trying very hard to avoid. It's funny because you could simply host a picture on Photobucket, Instagram, Dropbox, etc... and give them a link only, and I'd love to hear them explain how/why they can't access those lol.

The diagram @IRSmart posted was of course the first one I found when digging around for this plug, and I couldn't understand why our plug isn't on it. I think I know why now : the plug we are looking for is inserted from the engine bay side, not the cabin side, and I believe the diagram we have is for cabin side plugs only.

As far as the name of the part goes : well... is it a plug ? A grommet ? A cap ? Sigh... I've given up looking. I may get a second wind over the weekend

Leems · May 8, 2017

Mark_,

I believe you are correct on both: the folks at Customer Assistance cannot handle anything more complicated than "what should we have for lunch" and the plug resides in an engine bay drawing somewhere.

Also, where does the plastic membrane on the interior opening get called out? Maybe they have the Plastic Membrane Guy running around the Toledo plant sticking those things in places where he thinks they should be? What happens when he is on vacation? And where does the PMG get those silly things?

Leems · Jun 1, 2017

All, just a note to let you know I have not forgotten about the plug, but also to chime in that I have looked through every drawing that I could find online - including anything related to the engine compartment - and I cannot find the mystery plug anywhere.

I've come to the conclusion that magic elves apply them in the dark without anyone's knowledge before they depart Toledo.

Otherwise, they would be on a drawing, right?

Does anyone know how I might contact said elves? Discreetly, of course.

Array · Jun 1, 2017

Unfortunately the Toledo elves have been let go. Recently the Belvidere Assembly Plant's HR department posted a job for a little Dutch Boy with a strong finger, but it's believed there's confusion about the job requirement.

JPGuy026 · Jun 1, 2017

I'm worried about this as well, I have lights wired through there and going off-roading soon and don't want water entering the truck there, how do you seal this up? Any recommendations?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04Freedom · Jun 1, 2017

On my Comanche, a prior owner butchered the large grommet that sealed the radio antenna. I couldn't find a replacement that size. I did find a grommet that had an inner diameter that matched the antenna wire diameter. I then found a flat washer that had an inner diameter that matched the grommet's outer diameter for a tight seal. The washer's outer diameter was a little larger than the panel hole diameter. I used a little JB Weld to seal the washer to the body panel. Basically, the "welded" washer was my way of reducing the body panel hole diameter to a size where I could find a grommet that fit.

If you have multiple wires going through, it may help to tape them together in a way to make them more round as a whole and fit through a grommet tighter. Dabbing silicone on the handiwork once it's all in place would be wise, too.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

Desoto · Jun 1, 2017

Some Body Shops carry an assortment of Body Plugs. I think you might find something that will work.

Desoto · Jun 1, 2017

Might also look at these.
http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-20089-570-005.aspx?origin=keyword

Mystery rubber plug - anyone familiar?

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities