What is this cable?

[jeycat1989]

1988 325ic, recently broke the rocker arm on the #5 intake. Replaced rocker arm, in situ, along with timing belt, tensioner, etc., water pump, and so on. Got everything back together EXCEPT for the below cable that comes from a harness under the diagnostic port. Where does it go? Engine turns over, but does not start. Figured I better clear this up before I start elsewhere.

[audiquattrot]

isn't that one of the injector plug cables?

[IceWhite]

or CPS wire?

[jeycat1989]

Not one of the injector cables(they all are plugged in, and have the wire push-clips on them). This cable does not have the wire push-clip on it, and comes from a wiring loom under the diagnostic port, on the driver's side of the intake manifold.

It is also not the CPS wire. That one comes from the #6 spark plug wire and connects, also via a wire push-clip, to a bracket under the diagnostic port, alongside another set of push-clipped wires.

This cable only has one spade lug inside and reaches all the way over to the exhaust manifold area. It has no wire push-clip, nor does it look like it was fitted with one at any time.

[mazzo]

coolant temp sensor cable?

[jeycat1989]

Not coolant temp.

Related note: engine runs much better when the supply and return fuel lines are NOT reversed.

Still don't know what that cable is, but the engine runs.

[cheffy30]

Not coolant temp.

Related note: engine runs much better when the supply and return fuel lines are NOT reversed.

Still don't know what that cable is, but the engine runs.

oil level sensor plug?

[jeffnhiscars]

If its not your CPS then its your spark plug reference sensor...exact same plug as the CPS. Plug them both in and if it doesnt start, reverse them.

[IRON-E]

TPS, plug it up and you'll be aight.

[redlightpete]

oil level sensor plug?

+1. Is your low oil light on?

[RobDog]

It looks like the oil pressure sensor since it only has one wire and so long. The oil pressure sensor is on the passenger side of the lower engine block, just forward of the engine mount arm.

Could also be for the purge valve that goes to the carbon canister

[mitchlikesbikes]

I vote oil pressure sensor as well. could easily be confirmed by consulting a wiring diagram

[MrBurgundy]

TPS and cps are three pin connectors


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[325e '87]

It looks like the oil pressure sensor since it only has one wire and so long. The oil pressure sensor is on the passenger side of the lower engine block, just forward of the engine mount arm.

Could also be for the purge valve that goes to the carbon canister

It has to be the oil pressure switch/sensor. Plugs in just below the oil filter and wire is routed across front of the engine inside the plastic channel where the cps cable is routed.