After replacing the 3.4 engine in my 1998 Venture, I have one connector in the wiring harness that I can't find a home for. It is down underneath by the speed sensor (where the passenger-side half-shaft comes out of the transaxle). The after-cat O2 sensor wire branches out of the harness by this mystery connector and heads back to its sensor. The connector in question is red or orange or pink (hard to tell with the dirt). It has no clip to keep it plugged in like other connectors. It has 3 female connections. It seems to be made of hard rubber instead of plastic. I HAVE LOOKED EVERYWHERE A HUNDRED TIMES!! (deep breath) Any help would be appreciated.

 

Do you still have the old engine to look at?

 

I do. There is no sensor that matches this connector. I am left to assume it connects to the transmission, but you know what assuming does. I am willing to think outside the box at this point, however.

 

Ok. The connector goes to a factory engine block heater (which would be located in place of the freeze plug on the rear of the engine). The new engine doesn't have one, but neither did the bad engine I took out. Go figure. So it was never connected in the first place. This would account for why I don't remember disconnecting it. All is well in minivanland again. By the way, if you haven't replaced an engine in one of these, it's a real treat. It comes out the bottom along with the tranny and the entire front suspension and subframe. Happy New Year!