On my 2005 XLT 4x4, there are two sensors mounted on the front side of the center support in front of the radiator. They’re both visible when you open the hood. The upper one is the sensor for the thermometer in the information center on the dash. The other one, mounted just below it, is a mystery to me. It’s rectangular in shape, about 1” x 2” and has a bar code on it.

So why do I need to know what this particular component does? I’m in the process of fabricating a custom bracket to hold a pair of driving lights behind my grill. As part of the support structure, I need to tie into the center support using the bolt that holds that sensor. If I can, I’d like to simply re-orient that sensor 90 degrees and mount it to the new (horizontal) cross member, but I need to know what I’m messing with first. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Very high likleyhood it is a front crash sensor for the airbag. Leave it alone, unless you take the battery cable off for at least 15 min. after the last time the ignition was on.

 

If that turns out to be and air bag sensor do not move or relocate it you will take the chance of setting off the airbags .

 

Does it have a part number on it?

 

Hmmmm, an airbag sensor huh? Yup, that wold be one I don't want to mess with. It has some numbers on it, but without my glasses, I couldn't read them. (It's not that I'm getting older and my sight is going bad, it's more like my arms are getting too short.) I think what I'm going to do is trot down to my dealer and have the guys in parts look this thing up. I can work around it for the driving light bracket, but the hole used for the bolt holding this sensor on is almost exactly where I need one. Thanks guys!