What is this?

[dieselpower]

Hello,

I've had my engine bay cleaned and this mystery part suffered a bit of damage. I'd like to replace it but I've no idea what it is or what it does! Any advices mutely appreciated.

First photo wide so you can see where it is located: (1983 HE)

Close up of part - the yellowy looking round thing with two wires coming off it:

[davidr]

It's the full load enrichment switch. It detects from manifold vacuum when the throttles are wide open and sends a signal to the ecu to widen the injector pulses so enriching the mixture.
Hope that helps
David

[dieselpower]

Many thanks. I think one of the connectors is totally shot. Is it a vital part or am I ok to drive the car given that it probably doesn't function at all at the moment?

[davidr]

It's not vital but is there to give you full power when you floor it. If that's not your usual driving style then that's not an issue!
However, I would advise repairing it so that your car is not running lean at full throttle.
Regards
David

[dieselpower]

Thanks for help but this has now become the least of my problems!

I was doing about 50mph on the A3 yesterday when the engine just cut out and the dashboard lights came on. No warning, no coughing or spluttering just instant engine cut out. I coasted to the side of the road and tried to re-start but dead as a dodo. Not even the glimmer of it firing. Got rescued and car is now home and I've no idea what to do. I've done a visual to see if there is anything obvious that has come astray but all seems good. I've never had an alternator failure but was wondering if that might be the issue? The car battery is only 3 months old. Anybody got any ideas? I've not taken a spark plug out to check for spark - bit scared of doing that!

[dieselpower]

Just remembered I had a spare spark plug in the boot so I used it to check for a spark. As suspected - nothing - dead ignition electrics.

[BigCatXJS]

If it was your alternator then presumably the battery was pretty dead at the point you broke down. If on the other hand your battery is good i.e. you can hear the fuel pump priming, the abs pump actuating, and the engine can turn over okay but just wont start then I would suspect something like the distributor or HT coil(s) especially if there is no spark from the plugs. The distributor head can crack (heat) and internals can disintegrate. Lets hope it has not seized and damaged the jack shaft. As your V12 ignition system is pre-marelli I cant remember the exact set-up; sorry.

Just for completeness - did you notice any white puffs of smoke when the event happened and now the cat is back home, are you getting fuel to rail/injectors?

I'm sure others wiser than me will chip in shortly.

Rich