Name this part?

[LawDBrowning]

I bought myself an '04 Town Car a while back and haven't gotten to figure out what specifically this wire/connector is for - but it's disconnected.
It's right under the engine cover, circled in red.
Any pointers would be great.
Edit: The two wires are red/white and orange if that helps.

 

[Action]

The connector is still on it. Looks like the wires were cut.

Knock sensor?

Action

 

[oktowncar]

That sensor appears to be on one of the intake fingers so I would say IAT sensor

 

[LawDBrowning]

I appreciate the reply.

The connector is still on it. Looks like the wires were cut.

Knock sensor?

Action
View attachment 19404

I appreciate the reply. The diagram is pretty sweet.
I've added more pictures of the piece to the post, I believe it to be an Intake Manifold Temperature Sensor.
"oktowncar" made a good point - that it's connected to the intake manifold, which led me to that conclusion.
Although, I could be wrong.

The connector is still on it. Looks like the wires were cut.

Knock sensor?

Action
View attachment 19404

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[Action]

Hopefully you made an ID.
I have attached a picture of of a Intake Manifold Temperature Sensor for a 2004 Town Car.

Then somewhere on top of the engine are going to be two cut wires that go to the connector that is now trash.
It baffles me at what some people do to their vehicle.
If one wants to disconnect the sensor, why not just unplug the connector?
Over many decades, the company has spent a lot of time and effort to make connectors that keep out debris and stay connected.
Then some one comes along a cuts the wires.

Action

 

[LawDBrowning]

Hopefully you made an ID.
I have attached a picture of of a Intake Manifold Temperature Sensor for a 2004 Town Car.

Then somewhere on top of the engine are going to be two cut wires that go to the connector that is now trash.
It baffles me at what some people do to their vehicle.
If one wants to disconnect the sensor, why not just unplug the connector?
Over many decades, the company has spent a lot of time and effort to make connectors that keep out debris and stay connected.
Then some one comes along a cuts the wires.

Action

View attachment 19411

The car was in an accident at some point in time before I got it.
Pretty serious crash, although I don't know much.
It could be possible that something involved in the crash grabbed onto some part of the harness and tore off the wires.

 

[LawDBrowning]

Hopefully you made an ID.
I have attached a picture of of a Intake Manifold Temperature Sensor for a 2004 Town Car.

Then somewhere on top of the engine are going to be two cut wires that go to the connector that is now trash.
It baffles me at what some people do to their vehicle.
If one wants to disconnect the sensor, why not just unplug the connector?
Over many decades, the company has spent a lot of time and effort to make connectors that keep out debris and stay connected.
Then some one comes along a cuts the wires.

Action

View attachment 19411

Do you happen to know any of the consequences I've been risking by driving her with it disconnected like that?

 

[Action]

Poor fuel economy mostly.
Greater emissions.
More carbon collecting in the combustion chamber.

And only to a small margin.

Let's say that is the Intake Air Temp (IAT) Sensor. (And I have no reason to believe it isn't)
The PCM uses data from that sensor to make fuel trim adjustments.
Colder air is more dense than warmer air and the air/fuel ratio would be adjusted for the differences.
However, in your engine the PCM does not have that data so the PCM is making A/F adjustments without that data. (And should trip the CEL)

OK with all of that said, these engines are designed to run as lean as possible given the technology. (BTW that technology has changed a lot since)
Without the IAT, the engine might lean out some more during certain situations. And those situations will occur in fractions of a second. (Actually in fractions of a crankshaft rotation) IN your situation the PCM might make an S/F change when it should not or not make a change when it should.

Regarding fuel economy, that might only be a 1/4 or 1/2 mile to the gallon. (Pure speculation on that number) And you may never feel anything different in engine operation. Or may mean the difference in the engine running for another 75,000 miles with no noticeable issues or triple that. I just do not know.

If it were me, I would find a pigtail (Motorcraft makes nearly every pigtail used) and re-connect the sensor.

What you have not said is about the CEL being on.
Is the bulb burned out?
It is on for other reasons?
Heck the car has been in a significant accident, what else is not correct as designed?

Action

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[LawDBrowning]

Poor fuel economy mostly.
Greater emissions.
More carbon collecting in the combustion chamber.

And only to a small margin.

Let's say that is the Intake Air Temp (IAT) Sensor. (And I have no reason to believe it isn't)
The PCM uses data from that sensor to make fuel trim adjustments.
Colder air is more dense than warmer air and the air/fuel ratio would be adjusted for the differences.
However, in your engine the PCM does not have that data so the PCM is making A/F adjustments without that data. (And should trip the CEL)

OK with all of that said, these engines are designed to run as lean as possible given the technology. (BTW that technology has changed a lot since)
Without the IAT, the engine might lean out some more during certain situations. And those situations will occur in fractions of a second. (Actually in fractions of a crankshaft rotation) IN your situation the PCM might make an S/F change when it should not or not make a change when it should.

Regarding fuel economy, that might only be a 1/4 or 1/2 mile to the gallon. (Pure speculation on that number) And you may never feel anything different in engine operation. Or may mean the difference in the engine running for another 75,000 miles with no noticeable issues or triple that. I just do not know.

If it were me, I would find a pigtail (Motorcraft makes nearly every pigtail used) and re-connect the sensor.

What you have not said is about the CEL being on.
Is the bulb burned out?
It is on for other reasons?
Heck the car has been in a significant accident, what else is not correct as designed?

Action

The CEL did turn on a few days ago. It waited until it was winter outside to do so, as I've had her for a few months.
What you're saying is adding up for sure.
The code was read for a temperature issue when I scanned it. I was given "P0128."

 

[Action]

The P0128 is generated by differences in the coolant temp and the IAT sensor.

Action

 

[LawDBrowning]

The P0128 is generated by differences in the coolant temp and the IAT sensor.

Action

Do you think fixing this sensor would remove the code? Along with removing every other problem it brings hahah.

 

[Action]

Definitely may be.
That code can be generated by other issues.
But the code will never go away without that sensor connected.

Other possibilities are:

• Leaking or stuck open thermostat
• Low engine coolant level
• Insufficient warm up time
• Faulty engine coolant temperature sensor
• Engine coolant temperature sensor harness is open or shorted
• Engine coolant temperature sensor circuit poor electrical connection

Action

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[LawDBrowning]

That sensor appears to be on one of the intake fingers so I would say IAT sensor

You're definitely right, I'll be looking into getting this fixed soon as I can.
Thank you.

 

[LawDBrowning]

Definitely may be.
That code can be generated by other issues.
But the code will never go away without that sensor connected.

Other possibilities are:

• Leaking or stuck open thermostat
• Low engine coolant level
• Insufficient warm up time
• Faulty engine coolant temperature sensor
• Engine coolant temperature sensor harness is open or shorted
• Engine coolant temperature sensor circuit poor electrical connection

Action

Thank you for the info today. I've learned a bit for sure.
I'ma try to get this bs fixed soon as possible lmao.

 

[LawDBrowning]

Update: I found out exactly with this is for.
It is the connector for the Engine Coolant Temperate Sensor.