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What's this unused connector in the center console behind the radio?

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Old 09-26-17, 03:52 AM
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cbdbcbdb
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Default What's this unused connector in the center console behind the radio?

I'm doing some radio troubleshooting and noticed an unused connector behind the radio next to the airbag sensor. I have no idea what plugs into it, if anything...

Any ideas?

thanks.

Old 09-26-17, 09:30 AM
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jimbosr1
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maybe a vintage cell phone.i removed mine but i just cut the harness in the center console.
Old 09-26-17, 12:12 PM
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LEXXIUM
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Leave it alone
Old 09-26-17, 12:29 PM
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cbdbcbdb
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Thanks. I have no plans to remove it. I'm trying to understand what modifications have been made to this "new to us" old car. I'm sure I'll keep finding mods that cause problems.

Old 09-26-17, 01:35 PM
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If you are referring to that 4 pin gray plug that was for an O2 sensor that goes under the car, passenger foot well area.
Old 09-26-17, 05:47 PM
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KahnBB6
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^^ This. I was going to ask if the OP has an SC300 or SC400. My SC300 Cali-Spec model has this gray plug used for that #3 O2 sensor. The sensor screws into the secondary cat located under the transmission tunnel (two bolt type, not screw-in) and its cord routes up into the trans tunnel to connect to this plug to give the ECU the signals it wants to see.

As far as I know the use of this plug became standard by the time 1996 or 1997 models hit the market but before that it was limited to 1992-1995 Cali-Spec SC300 models. Not sure if it's similar with SC400's.
Old 09-26-17, 06:35 PM
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logix7
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pretty sure mine has this as well. (mines from cali) but its not plugged in to anything
Old 09-26-17, 08:35 PM
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KahnBB6
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Originally Posted by logix7
pretty sure mine has this as well. (mines from cali) but its not plugged in to anything
Do you know for sure that your car is an original Cali-Spec? You can tell by looking under the hood at the emissions sticker. Many, many, many 49/48 state cars have been 100% legally registered in California for decades.

The only thing I can think of is if it is a 1992 SC300 Cali-Spec that may be the one year CA market SC300's didn't use that sensor location just like Federal cars. If your secondary OEM catalytic convertor under the car has no O2 sensor location then that would confirm it.
Old 09-27-17, 04:14 AM
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cbdbcbdb
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Mine is a 1997 sc300. The exhaust header has been replaced and catalytic converter deleted so only one O2 sensor exists. The other connector is tied under the car.

Behind the radio seems like an odd place to put a third O2 sensor plug.
Old 09-27-17, 08:53 AM
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gerrb
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Originally Posted by KahnBB6
As far as I know the use of this plug became standard by the time 1996 or 1997 models hit the market but before that it was limited to 1992-1995 Cali-Spec SC300 models. Not sure if it's similar with SC400's.
ODB2 SC300 started having them if I am not mistaken.

All SC400 will have them on both sides . You will have an O2 Sensor on each side of the footwell .

Originally Posted by cbdbcbdb
Behind the radio seems like an odd place to put a third O2 sensor plug.
It is because of the location of the O2 sensor which is on the exhaust pipe under the chassis / footwell. Wiring was a lot easier and far from the heat of the exhaust .

Last edited by gerrb; 09-27-17 at 10:41 AM.
Old 09-27-17, 09:35 AM
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logix7
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Originally Posted by KahnBB6
Do you know for sure that your car is an original Cali-Spec? You can tell by looking under the hood at the emissions sticker. Many, many, many 49/48 state cars have been 100% legally registered in California for decades.

The only thing I can think of is if it is a 1992 SC300 Cali-Spec that may be the one year CA market SC300's didn't use that sensor location just like Federal cars. If your secondary OEM catalytic convertor under the car has no O2 sensor location then that would confirm it.
Old 09-27-17, 10:58 AM
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^^ That confirms it. 1992 Cali-Spec SC300's did not use the 3rd O2 sensor under the car. 1993-1995 SC300 Cali-Spec cars used them while it took until model year 1996 before SC300 Federal cars used them.
Old 09-27-17, 11:38 AM
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logix7
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so whats different about this california spec?
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