My wife called me at work today to tell me that her car won't start. The glow plug light is flashing and it chugs like it wants to start but won't.

I took the engine cover off to check the glow plugs and they all check out okay, but there is a plug with three wires right underneath the glow plugs that have been chewed off. (Time to declare war on the squirrels) I assume that this is the problem, but I have no idea what the wires are for.

Can someone confirm what these wires are for? I don't know if there is enough wire to splice them back together or not. Would they cause a non-starting condition?

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

Can you get me a better/bigger picture, closer look? I can pull the wiring diagram tomorrow when I get back to work and let you know.

 

Here is a picture of the thing (sensor?) Still not sure what it does, but it was covered in motor oil when it came out. Does that help?

Also found a part number on the wire I think. ABE038907319D. I guess I can call the dealership in the morning too, but I bet I'm going to end up paying for it. . .Doubt squirrel damage is covered by the warranty.

 

For all the world, that looks like an engine position sensor. Magnetic pickup unit.

Let me know if I'm dead wrong, it is definitely a mag pickup of some sort

 

Nope, I think you are right on. I finally found the part number listed on a site from the UK. (They called it a timing sensor) NAPA calls it a crankshaft position sensor. I guess that would cause a no start. Just get to find a replacement today and hope it isn't too pricey.

 

Looks like the crankshaft positioning sensor. This should be the pt #045 906 433 A. About $54 bucks from the dealer. This pt # should be stamped somewhere on the sensor.