I have a 85 se 13b. The big blue book of knowlege says I have an oscillator( in the wiring diagram) I found it and messed with the connector and my car finally started. (the connector was dirty). What is it and what does it do, because my car quit again and the book dosen't mention it.

 

I've always been wondering that too. What does the oscillator do????

 

Actually, I believe it has something to do with the buzzer that comes on when you have low coolant, low oil, or leave the headlights on... I've never heard either of those three sounds in my car, but when people have problems with those sounds (going off constantly) it's said that they should remove the oscilator...

I assume you found it located behind the left headlight, near the battery.

 

That's where it is. But today I removed the connector cleaned it and the damn car started again.?!?!

 

I don't believe that has anything to do with not starting. I would guess when you are in that area of the oscillator...you are moving other wires that may have an "open" circuit.
When the car is not starting...have someone crank it over and jiggle the wires in that area and see if it starts. If it does start then...check for a broken wire.

 

I'm with RX7Rox on this one...
It's either something that just happens to be nearby, or it's a complete coincidence.

Pele is correct about the oscillator having to do with the buzzers...
It takes signals from those respective sensors and produces an audio signal which is reproduced inside the dash somewhere....
I'm pretty sure it doesn't affect anything if you just take it out.
Pele's comment about people having neverending tones is a topic you can find all over the forum-- Frequently the oscillator becomes full of water and can no longer operate.


I can't think of what else is up near there that might affect the way the car starts... ::scratches head::

 

I hate wires that break internally.

I'd look for a section of harness that's prone to flex or vibration. Or something that has chafed on something else.

A tip: Next time it doesn't start, have an assistant hold the key in the Start position while you go up there and jiggle wires. (Keep clear of teh fan and belts, duh.) Jiggle carfully, as if you jiggle everything at once, you'll never find what's loose. Also you may want to replace "jiggle" with squeeze... Squeeze the harness with two fingers every few inches... Helps pinpoint stuff.