I returned from a recent trip to find a loose wire hanging down from the engine compartment of our 2005 FIAT Ducato 2.8JTD C-class. There was also loose tape unwound from the wire hanging down as though it might have been taped up to something nearby or maybe insulating a bullet connector.

It appears to either have been taped to the black loom 'A' above it in the photo or to have been formerly connected to the terminal (earth?) on the gearbox casing, above left in the photo.

Also of interest is that the reversing lights are no longer working but I can't say that this happened at the same time or not.

Any help from owners of similar vans in taking a quick look under the front bumper centre looking upwards into the engine bay towards the nearside who could confirm what the wire should be doing would be appreciated.

The view in the photo should help to identify what I mean.

Hi
Just had a look at mine & there is a wire with a very similar connection but on mine the upper part is yellow & comes from a bunch of loomed wires above the ABS pump fastened to the chassis rail & if your refer to my thread about the location of the gearbox breather & reversing light switch you will see a wire crossing over the clutch slave cylinder next to the wire which is in a corrugated split tube going to the reverse switch whereas this wire is just a solid wire or casing.
see thread - https://www.fiatforum.com/ducato/279452-2-8-jtd-gearbox-breather-reverse-switch-location.html
As to where it then goes I have yet to find as at the moment the Ducato is in a inaccessible position & I will have to climb underneath but will trace where it goes to when I get the vehicle out again. Will get back to you.
Cheers

Thnaks for your help guys. The loose wire was intended for an unused accessory and is intended to be taped up to the loom.

My reversing lights not working turned out to be a faulty reversing light switch on the gearbox.