When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
1986 ford ranger 2.9L. I am working on rebuilding the engine bay wiring harness and noticed multiple plugs disconnected. There are several "unknown" plugs under the hood of my truck, maybe you guys can identify them. Single White and pink wire Light brown red Light brown green Black and Light blue Single light green and yellow 2 light blue and black wire
The only single wire connectors that I can think of right now are for the radio noise capacitor and for temperature senders (not sensors). Some lights that are grounded through the body of the light also have a single wire, but I wouldn't expect any lights in the engine compartment. I suppose since you have a fairly old Ranger, there may have been some sensors with a single wire. I went from a 1971 Ford to a 1991 Ford so I didn't keep up with what happened in between. Oh, I think some alternators with multiple connectors have one that's a single wire. However, I think the effect of it not being connected would be obvious.
Also, it's not uncommon to find connectors for optional equipment that either didn't come with your Ranger or may have been removed by the previous owner. Air conditioning? I think I see some AC hoses in the pictures. I would expect unused connectors to be capped, however. But who knows what any of the previous owners may have done. Did any smog equipment get removed? EGR?
You could check those wires to see if they're hot in start, run or all the time. That might tell you if those circuits were supposed to be active on your Ranger. However, they might not be hot if the fuse for that circuit was removed by the previous owner. You never know what they do. I found wires swapped in a connector on my Mountaineer. What the heck?
Just some guesses. Sorry I don't have more to offer. An EVTM or even a Haynes or Chilton's would come in handy.