I purchased this truck about a month ago for a relatively low price. While I was changing the alternator, I noticed this was unplugged, and couldn't find anywhere it goes to. Does anyone have pictures of where there's leads to, or know what this sensor is for?

UPDATE: I believe it has something to do with the blower motor.

Many Thanks,
Quinn

 

Looks like an O2 sensor plug to me, check on your exhaust and see if all the O2 sensors are plugged in.

 

+1 ^^^

Round 4 wire is usually for O2 sensors

Welcome to the forum

Good to post Year of Ranger with questions
Also engine size and manual or automatic
Or you can put it in your signature, that shows up on all your posts

If you have a manual transmission and that connector only has 2 or 3 wires then it may have been for an automatics Neutral safety switch, so not used on a manual trans vehicle
Prior to 2001/2 all Rangers were wired as Manual transmissions, and automatics had an added on harness connected to the manual harness
In 2002/3 there were two different main harnesses, manual or automatic

 

I appreciate all the replies! The connector only has 2 wires (One being Purple, the other being red & yellow). I'm unable to locate any sort of connection within reach of this connector. And the Ranger is a 97 5 speed manual. So I suppose it is the neutral saftey switch as you mentioned.

 

Yes, and it looks dirty enough on the inside to have never been connected

1997 Ford Ranger brochure here: https://www.therangerstation.com/res...r_brochure.pdf

Reason for looking at it is to see the OPTIONS that could be added to your model
Many of the options are pre-wired on the main harness, so you may find a few unused connections if that option was not added/paid for when Ranger was purchased new
It just too expensive to have a main harness made for each specific vehicle with selected options, so main harness is made to include wiring for AVAILABLE options on that Model Ranger, there were 4 models in 1997, but usually just 2 main harnesses, XL and XLT

So if you look at a brochure for your year you and see the "standard" features, and see what else was an Option on that model Ranger
Like AC was an option on all models in 1997, so wires for it will be there, but not connected if no AC installed
Doesn't mean the whole AC harness is there, just the wires and connectors that needed to be on the main harness

 

I honestly didn't think I'd get this sort of support from the forums. Thank you all very much for all the work you put into this, as well as the explanations! I finally have peace and mind with this connector.

 

And just to confirm that peace of mind
On the 1997 AC wiring there is a Purple and a Red/yellow wire(on same connector), used for the AC pressure switches in engine bay

So unless you have factory AC then its just an extra connector on the harness