Unknown Sensor or Component 1996 Explorer 4.0L OHV

[pmonahan]

I have a sensor or electrical component that has a single wire conneted that is mounted on the lower half of the coil pack mounting plate above the Valve Cover.

Below is the best photo that I can provide.

It is square, black and has a small notch out of the botom of it.

Ideas ?

 

[Dono]

Im not sure.
When I did all kinds of work to my ohv, I had left it disconnected with no issue.

From the looks of it, I thought it should really be grounded based on how it was attached to the coil pack. That was a bad idea, as it blew the pcm fuse. Ever sense that time, Ive had the wire lead to it just taped off. No ill effects, but I can't tell you the reason for it.

edit....from the pic, even that looks different from what I had on mine, but it sure sounds like the same thing. My wire was black, further making me think it was a ground. I see yours is red.

 

[Turdle]

That is an ignition noise suppressor. Sometimes ignition noise will get into AM radio, this is to help fight that. It may help suppress ignition noises from corrupting signals to the PCM also.

 

[Dono]

Thank you!

 

[imp]

Ignition Interference

FWIW, Ford has attached a capacitor to the ignition coil primary connection since as far back as I have worked on Fords, that is, early 1950s! imp