Must have pulled it loose somehow, sometime.

What does it connect to?
Car is manual.

Thanks

 

Driver's side, across from fuel lines.

 

That's the oil level sensor, the wire broke off the sensor at the oil pan. You'll need to replace the sensor itself.

Should be able to get a used sensor cheap. There's an O-ring if memory serves that seals it to the oil pan. Drain the oil, 3 bolts to remove the old sensor, new sensor and new O-ring, put it oil, done.

Dale

 

It's a good idea to apply a thin layer of Right Stuff silicone or something similar on the backing surface of the sensor. Make sure you get a new o-ring, the used ones that are on the sensor tend to be in bad shape.

 

Thanks -- I'll get the sensor and o ring and silicone.

With the sensor broken like it is, will it likely leak oil?
Also, does the sensor Just talk to the dash warning light or does it talk to the ECU too?

thanks

 

Yep the way it is it will probably leak.

The new sensor should come with an o-ring on it.

AFIK just the warning light in other words the car won't go into limp mode or shut off if the oil is low.