Backup Switch harness

[Mario]

So, I was about to plug in my weatherpack connector into the switch on my transmission, when I notice the wires are cracked from heat damage and spliced.  Turns out the previous owner had an engine compartment fire, and most all of the wiring was repaired.  In my "lackadaisical" restoration of this truck I've repaired various wiring harnesses with proper wire sizes and colors.  I noticed from the wiring diagram that there is a male/female Packard 56 connectors (GM 2977373) just passed the grommet inside the engine compartment.  My question is what was the purpose of another connector in this circuit, and what was the original harness routing from the grommet to the switch.  Thanks!  FYI, it's an '81 K20. 

[bake74]

     I assume it was just for ease of removal of the transmission, but that is just an assumption.

[Mario]

I found a connector inside the cab near the firewall, so I ran new wires to that connector.  I cleaned out the pass through plug, or whatever it's called, and I installed new weatherpack male terminals at the switch and new packard 56 terminals at the connector.  I covered the new wires in convoluted conduit with the portion near the switch also covered in classic heat shield.  I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a good reason to have a connector within the engine compartment.  Thanks!