87 Renix Cherokee. My worst nightmares about this head removal job have materialized. I found this object, right where it is in the photo. Unknown to me what it is for. It was laying loose. Covered in 37 years of gunk. The wires are corroded so its not something I broke off during my work, at least I dont think I did.

The wires are red and one white.

Can you tell me what it is? ( that is my big fat finger in the girst photo, pointing to the object in question)

 

Further cleaning of the part. Is this a Crank Position Sensor? There is one just like it bolted to the transmission bell housing with wires connected to the main loom.

this one says "renix" on it.

 

Yep, that is a Crank Position Sensor...

 

If it wasn't running when you started your project, that is why. If it was running then you did break it and need to replace it. Just spent the last year on a full rebuild of an 88.

 

Further investigation revealed it to be an old part left behind. There is another exact part installed correctly. This thing was covered in a huge ball of greasy gunk, ( decades of a leaky valve cover gasket) just laying near the transmission, and I didnt want to move it until I was certain as to what it was.

 

Very good, that's a plus

 

Well don't throw it out. It might be perfectly good, and in better shape than a new chinese one.

 

I was thinking the same, especially since it is stamped "renix"!