My apologies.
A slight edit.

Looking at my pics again, it appears the clamp was holding but the
boot itself tore apart
allowing the wire to get pulled out.
Regardless, heat and time took their toll.

I have to wonder if the wrong type of connector was installed.
IIRC, the OEM connector on my '81 was "molded" to the cord.

When I cruised Home Depot to buy a replacement part,
I noticed they sold connectors with the vinyl boot.
But for a difference of ~ $3 it's a head scratcher as to why
anyone would opt for the lesser expensive connector.

Neil.

On 2/2/15, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/WestfaliaShorePowerCord

> What likely caused the failure:
 .....
> - soft deformed boot allowed clamp holding outside layer of wiring to
> boot to easily come loose.

--
Neil n

Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>

1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>

1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>

Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>