Help with orphan electrical connector

Frohike999 · Post by **Frohike999** » 10 Aug 2019, 15:41

I was wrapping up changing the hoses and radiator out of my 04 XC70 today and while checking that everything was plugged in and where it should be, I found one connector that I don't remember unhooking and can't find what it would plug into. This is on the drivers side of the engine and comes out of a wiring harness going along the front of the engine. Along with the radiator I had removed the charger inlet pipe and replaced the coolant supply hose for the turbo, but I don't see anything around there this could plug into, and honestly I'm not sure it would reach that far anyway.

I've included pics but I'm lousy at taking them, so hopefully the description helps a bit. The connector has 3 wires, red black and blue. In the last pic I posted it comes from a wiring harness where the red line is and comes out where the red circle is. It's identical to the plug that's plugged into the top drivers side of the engine already.

Anyway I don't really want to button anything else up before I know what I'll have to tear apart to get to this. If anyone has any insight I'd really appreciate it.

: connector2.jpg (78.75 KiB) Viewed 896 times

: connector1.jpg (63.25 KiB) Viewed 896 times

highmiles · Post by **highmiles** » 10 Aug 2019, 19:05

I think if you look you might find one on the other side as well, with the same color wires. I am basing this off work on my 03 S60 that has two similar 3 prong connectors doing nothing. My guess on my car is that the are for the optional head light wipers. If the connector is fairly dirty inside it might be an indicator that it has never been plugged in.

Post by **vtl** » 10 Aug 2019, 21:01

Intake camshaft or crankshaft sensor? Latter one is barely visible. Here's this plug hanging in air:

Crankshaft sensor bracket is that broken plastic thing sitting right on top of the flywheel:

Frohike999 · Post by **Frohike999** » 11 Aug 2019, 04:12

Thanks for the reply guys! After looking into it, the camshaft position sensor is the part I was referring to that has the same type of plug already plugged in, so yep, it's exactly the same as that, but that one's good.

I'll have to look into the headlight wiper motor, I hadn't thought of that since this wire definitely couldn't reach that far forward, but maybe there's a wire up front I just am not seeing yet that comes back toward this. The wipers did work before and this connector's clean which means I'm sure this is something I did. If it were a minor thing like the wipers I'd feel fine just leaving it, but I guess I'd rather know what I'm leaving unpowered.

I'll keep looking today and come back with the results. Thanks for the replies!

Frohike999 · Post by **Frohike999** » 11 Aug 2019, 04:57

Ok I went back and took another look and vtl was exactly right, it was the crank sensor (I was confusing it with the cam sensor at the top of the engine). I've got it all put back together now. Thank you again!