What is this sensor/plug?

[BrandonVA]

On my 2002 ford escape 3.0 4x4 i noticed my rough idle/near stall condition goes away when i unplug this. Does anyone know what this is or why that would occur?

Picture of plug

Thanks

 

[OVERKILL]

Looks like it might be the power steering pressure switch?

 

[Trav]

Looks like the power steering pressure switch to me.

 

[Trav]

Same time same thought.

 

[ram_man]

That picture makes it hard to tell but it kind of looks like a pressure switch for air conditioning but it's placement would be odd so I assume it would a p/s pressure switch.

 

[michaelluscher]

Looks like the Power steering switch
*pending that's a PS line
If its an AC line, which it looks like it could be too, it has a similar switch system as well

 

[bdcardinal]

Either p/s pressure switch or AC cutoff switch. Can't tell because the picture is too close.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Trav

Same time same thought.


LOL

 

[yonyon]

So then presumably the PCM responds to unplugging the switch by raising the idle speed. How fast does the engine idle with the switch plugged in? Could the whole problem be just a crummy motor mount?

 

[Thax]

That is the power steering pressure switch. ECM will raise/lower engine speed based on line pressure input from this sensor. That explains the different idle speed when this sensor is unplugged. If you need to replace it the cost will be around $40 at a local parts store.