broken sensor
 

While cleaning some things on my car tonight, I noticed that my reference sensor(the one bolted to the top of the clutch housing) was broken. Actually the mounting bracket was broken and the sensor was just resting on the clutch housing. I followed the wire up from the sensor to the fire wall and realized it wasn't plugged into anything. The connector had a cap on it and I couldn't find anywhere for it to plug into. This is really strange and I can't believe I haven't noticed this before. Where in the world does this sensor plug into? I don't think this has effected the running or starting of the car and I don't think this has anything to do with my failing emission's test... What do you guys think and where does this sensor plug into? 87' 951

Mike

O2 sensor? Perhaps?

No it's not the O2 sensor. It's left of the O2 sensor. The coupler is mounted to a bracket attached to the back top of the cam housing near the firewall. The wire goes over and down to the sensor which is now just dangling there. I don't see where the heck this thing could plug into. Does anyone have a picture of this area and the connection maybe?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cyclemike:
While cleaning some things on my car tonight, I noticed that my reference sensor(the one bolted to the top of the clutch housing) was broken. Actually the mounting bracket was broken and the sensor was just resting on the clutch housing. I followed the wire up from the sensor to the fire wall and realized it wasn't plugged into anything. The connector had a cap on it and I couldn't find anywhere for it to plug into. This is really strange and I can't believe I haven't noticed this before. Where in the world does this sensor plug into? I don't think this has effected the running or starting of the car and I don't think this has anything to do with my failing emission's test... What do you guys think and where does this sensor plug into? 87' 951

Mike[/QUOTE
Hi M y friend, what we have here is a failure to communicate...... really tho it sounds like you just found the extra sensor that the dealer would plug into to check the rpm of the engine while it is in the diagnostic mode ... so you dont have to worry about it being connected to anything.... there is no conector in the car for it plug to, and if you are going to be going to the dealer for engine diagnostic work then they will need this in place , (I removed mine as my car will never go to the dealer cept for a wheel alignment or something) Just to make shure tho if you look at the rear of the engine you will see 2 thick wires going to the top left rear of the bell housing these are the speed and reference sensors that tell the DME what the engine is doing both of these must be in place for the engine to run, the wires are connected to the lil metal harness just above the sensors also the fat round plug is for the O2 sensor all 3 are held by this metal holder........ any way tell me if you find anything different than this .........Stan

I agree, I have that thing too, and couldn't figure out what its for, thanks stan for the explanation.

E

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Lock Stock '84 944 and two smokin' tires ...

Well thanks for clarifying things for me Stan. I thought about it for a while and figured it couldn't be the reference sensor. I'm going to take my car through inspection again tomorrow. We'll see if the vaccum hose replacement did the trick. I hope so, I had to get a frickin temporary tag!
I'll update you guys with the good or bad news tomorrow. Thanks again for the advice.

Mike