Mystery red wire from hatch

Hi all:

I had a problem with water causing the red triangle. I fixed it by sealing the rubber boot from body to hatch that has wires in it. Problem is, I accidently pulled a red wire loose and I don't know where it goes.

Seems that it might be a ground wire. It is red and light gauge, and runs under the headliner. I see a shiny body bolt that the wire does reach, but I want to verify that it is a ground wire before I connect it. All lights and door switches on the hatch seem to work but it was raining so I stopped. I'm going out tomorrow morning with the tester. Anyone had this before?

 

I had doubts myself that this is OEM as I’ve also never seen a red wire as ground. The light gauge indicated a signal wire of some sort but everything seems to be working. It clearly leads into the hatch itself through the rubber boot, so I’ll need to take off the panels and follow it. The car was in an accident 10 years ago, and the hatch was replaced, so maybe the body shop ran the red wire to something. I’ll port back what I find

 

I still can't find out why a thin, single strand wire, light gauge (22 maybe), would be a ground. I found that the only thing not working in the hatch is the rear window defogger. I'm trying to find where it goes on the still connected end, but haven't been able to see. I suppose I could have a fuse blown. I'm thinking of checking fuses and then just connect to ground. It the fuse doesn't blow I suppose I'll have it.

 

Thanks for the feedback. It was the ground for the defroster. When I looked closely to the disconnected end I see that it had very faded black marker for about an inch, my guess is this was the repair persons way of designating black.. !

SO, I'm going to get a proper color wire of proper gauge, and replace it. I'm also going to check the positive wire.

BTW, my leaks are now fixed and everything is dry. The big leak was the cable conduit boot from body to the hatch. Honestly looks like it has been leaking for years and flowing all the way to the 12 volt battery compartment that was full of rusty water!

Still love this car. Had it since new in 2007/

 

Thanks for telling me about the hinge bolt being missing! I did not notice that.. I suppose I need to replace it if possible and seal that up as well..