WTF is a reference sensor?

[spud814]

Hey guys, i'm changing my sparkplug wires and i notice on one of my spark plug wires, the 6th cylinder wire, there is a wire where the end of the wire is connected to the spark plug wire by a rubber ring( the rubber ring is able to slide around along the spark plug wire, not physically connected to the spark plug wire.) I followed this mysterious wire and it lead to what i believe is the reference sensor/speed sensor (the female end) according to my bentley manual. My new set of spark plug wires does not have this mysterious wire connected to it. Because i dont have this wire on my new set, and i'm not able to remove this mysterious wire from my old set, my only option is to reuse the 6th cylinder spark plug wire. BTW the new set is a 5 series E28 spark plug wires, i got them for free, but i tried the wires and they do fit.

[spud814]

O yeah for got to ask a question. So besides the opinion of reusing the 6th cylinder sparkplug wire, what else can i do, is this wire useless so i could just CUT IF OFF?

[m42technic]

Theyre used for cylinder identification during startup. Without it, the DME will redundantly use parallel injection instead of the normal semi-sequential.

[E30godz]

mmm i do believe it has a purpose, though im not sure how you will be able to attach it to your new wires....you could simply cut the other wires to slide it off...but getting it on the new one would require some....ninjaneering.

[spud814]

lol, ninjaneering, any other ideas? i would really love to be able to use all new wires.

[E30godz]

lol, ninjaneering, any other ideas? .

though i cant take credit for the phrase, ive used it twice today in posts....complete ownage of the word..

[rs4pro3]

Most people refer to this sensor as the Pulse sensor, and yes it is needed. What I'd do is take the old #6 wire and the new one and go into some sort of engine Machine shop or somewhere that works on Engine. and have them pull the wires apart. You can completly tear down the wires and pull the ends off the main wire and sensor onto the new wires.

[darien28]

lol, ninjaneering, any other ideas? i would really love to be able to use all new wires.

then get the correct spark wires instead of using incorrect wires and grafting the old shit to the new shit.

some things like the mustang o2 sensor are easy to graft.. but other stuff like this I wouldn't mess with.

just sell the new wrong set, and use the money to buy a new correct set.

[RedBaron86325]

Just pull the new #6 wire apart and install the sensor on the wire. Re-crimping an end isn't that big of a deal.

[spud814]

Thankz redrobin, i just did exactly what u told me right before u replied, lol. i jsut learned how to take apart my spark plug wires and reinstalled the sensor. I jsut figure if they sold kits to make your sparkplug wires. it's got to come apart with out breaking it. Well thanks for all the help guys.