Please identify dangling molex connector

[ShaneSaw]

2000 996 Coupe

This morning I found this loose connector hanging by the zip tie. I looked around but I could not see the device it is supposed to be plugged into. It had fallen pretty low below the engine but it is zip tied to a bundle of wires that just to the right of the air cleaner. Does anyone recognize it? Should I just cut it off and act like I never saw it?

[Loren]

Looks aftermarket to me - I don't remember a connector like that.

Can you see where the other end of the wires go (since only 3 are used)?

[logray]

I can't remember where I read about this and what it does (PSE or PSM or lighting or ???), but I wouldn't worry. I have the same connector on my car and it isn't connected, and the car runs fine. Just leave it tie wrapped to the harness out of the way of the serpentine belt and airbox.

Edited June 27, 2011 by logray

[judgejon]

activates the optional deflector shields for use in avoiding Klingon attacks.

(but don't cut if off, just tuck it out of sight. might be needed someday.)

;)

[Orient Express]

Is this a pre-owned car? If so, that is an abandoned lojack connector. That is not an OEM connector.

[Richard Hamilton]

Can you pull the rubber boot off and check the wire colours:

Pin 1 orange and red?

Pin 2 brown?

Pin 6 violet and green?

If so, the wiring diagram says "Automatic Exhaust Gas Recirculation Examination".

I have seen the same plug on a UK car, but I don't know what it is for sure. On the one I saw it was a 1998, and UK cars were not fitted with secondary air pumps, so I assumed it was for that.

Edited July 5, 2011 by Richard Hamilton

[logray]

Bingo! From my 99 USA C2...

(engine is out of car so it was super easy to snap this photo)

[Richard Hamilton]

I assume it some kind of special diagnostic connection. DME 5.2.2 used in the C2 996 for MY1998-99 must be a bit of a hybrid. RoW cars are not OBD2 compliant, but US cars had the addition of the secondary air pump, post-cat lambda sensors, etc, to meet compliance standards. Perhaps there is some diagnostic requirement that isn't available via the "OBD2" port. Just my guess.

[logray]

That sounds reasonable to me.

Perhaps the connector can activate or monitor the various SAI EGR system components, check valve solenoids, SAI pump and so forth that are not available via PST2/etc.

FWIW though, the connector is not part of the engine wiring loom.

[Richard Hamilton]

It connects to the DME via one of the large plugs on the right hand side of the engine compartment. The brown wire is a ground, and the violet/green wire is an engine speed signal. It is the orange/red wire which is a mystery to me.