Mystery car part

I could probably come up with a dozen different things that it could be. Most likely it's a relay that's actuated remotely from the computer, although it could be some other sort of actuator, a sensor's signal conditioner, or a kludge to tape over an 'oops'.

I know this!!!! It's an unknown car part!!!! (God, I'm bored) Rob

Where in the car was it?

Bob

It's a relay device of some sort - possibly from the lock circuit. Part number ould help

Chris, like some other replies suggest, the module's function could be for almost anything on a late-model vehicle, as they typically have almost insane numbers of electronic circuits.

From it's appearance, my first guess would be the windshield wiper intermittent duty/delay module, which would very likely include the relay (black cube) and about a dozen-or-two components (including perhaps a 555 timer IC). For it to be the WS wiper delay module, I would expect it to require more than 3 pins for the connector, although there may be another row of pins below the 3 visible ones.

WB ......... metalworking projects

Airbag deployment sensor

According to Christopher Tidy :

I don't really *know*, but if you will accept a *guess*, I would guess that it is a turn signal flasher.

The old ones were a thermal relay which changed speed when one of the lamps was burnt out. The electronic ones like this are stable in flash rate even when a lamp is burnt out.

Enjoy, DoN.

Then you can't tell when yer bulb is burnt out (other than noticing the horns). I guess it's progress, eh?

Jon

I was under the impression (at least in the UK) that there was _required_ to be an indication of when a light was out, just as the electronic flashers also have a piezo sounder to give a failsafe indication that the turn signals are operational.

Mark Rand RTFM

It looks a lot like a volvo fuel pump relay.

So its probably a Shapeshifter Fire Control relay from a Minigun.

Gunner

"[L]iberals are afraid to state what they truly believe in, for to do so would result in even less votes than they currently receive. Their methodology is to lie about their real agenda in the hopes of regaining power, at which point they will do whatever they damn well please. The problem is they have concealed and obfuscated for so long that, as a group, they themselves are no longer sure of their goals. They are a collection of wild-eyed splinter groups, all holding a grab-bag of dreams and wishes. Some want a Socialist, secular-humanist state, others the repeal of the Second Amendment. Some want same sex/different species marriage, others want voting rights for trees, fish, coal and bugs. Some want cradle to grave care and complete subservience to the government nanny state, others want a culture that walks in lockstep and speaks only with intonations of political correctness. I view the American liberals in much the same way I view the competing factions of Islamic fundamentalists. The latter hate each other to the core, and only join forces to attack the US or Israel. The former hate themselves to the core, and only join forces to attack George Bush and conservatives." --Ron Marr

On 28 Oct 2007 03:34:20 GMT, with neither quill nor qualm, snipped-for-privacy@d-and-d.com (DoN. Nichols) quickly quoth:

Yeah, prolly a flasher or relay.

Probably to the enjoyment of the law enforcement communities. Now you don't know you have a burnt out bulb until you're pulled over and ticketed.

-- We have to fight them daily, like fleas, those many small worries about the morrow, for they sap our energies. -- Etty Hillesum

Christopher Tidy wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@57g2000hsv.googlegroups.com:

My best guess would be a part of the 5 mph auto-lock system.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I found the part loose in the passenger footwell of the car. Someone else probably pulled it loose before I got there.

I found the Honda Lock Mfg Co's website, but it wasn't much good to me as it's in Japanese.

I zoomed in closer on one of the pictures I took and got this view of the label:

Best wishes,

Chris

I've now posted the question to the group rec.autos.makers.honda, so we can see if anyone there knows for sure.

Best wishes,

Chris

It looks like possibly a thermal overload relay (safety relay) for power windows or sunroof????

Looks like the timer relay for a factory alarm.

Thanks for the opinions. Looks like it's a relay of some sort...but what kind...who knows? :-)

Best wishes,

Chris