What does this part do?
 

I am about to swap out my stock engine lid ('83 SC) for an aftermarket fiberglass duck tail and noticed a rectangular sensor looking thing mounted to the underside of the lid just over the fan. There is a wire that runs from this part around the lid and over to the electronis on the driver's side.

1) What does this thing do? Is it a temperature sensor?
2) How do I remove it? The wire runs through a small hole in the engine lid when it passes out of the lid on the driver's side. I assume I will need to unhook either the sensor side or the other side so I can slip the wire back through this hole. Where does this terminate and what is the easiest way to remove the wire?
3) Any tricks I need to know when I remount it to the new lid? What connectors do people use to secure the lose wire to the lid when running it around the perimeter?

I'll take pictures tonight if this is confusing.

Thanks!

It sounds like you are describing an engine compartment light? It has a metal shutter that rotates and exposes the bulb and makes it light up? It only gets power if the headlights are on.

Is this what you are talking about?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...ment light.jpg

Yes, thats it. Rotating metal cover? Thats quite a bit of engineering for an engine light!

Sounds like I could remove the light altogether then if I choose to. If I decide to be more graceful than just cutting the wire, how does it come out? Your picture also shows the hole on the left that it needs to be pulled through.

When I removed my stock engine lid and installed a whale tail I cut the wire and re-spliced it. I made the cut roughly 8" from the light so it wouldn't show. I soldered the wire plus used heat shrink tubing. You can also pick up some automotive style plug/sockets from NAPPA and make it look like a factory electrical conector.

Splicing sounds like an easy solution. Thanks for your help!