Vintage Cars: Electrical wire to air intake 1972 450 SL, air filter assembly, plastic socket

Question
Hi Ron

Another quick question - When I was removing the air filter assembly I accidently broke the electrical wire that is connected to the front air intake. I assume it is a temperature gauge - I have trouble refitting the wire into the little plastic socket. How important is this - I will of course refit it somehow - but I assume I can drive the car meanwhile without problems.

Best regards

Kasper

Answer
that is air temp sensor for the ECU. You can run it without it and actually it may run better ( lol) because without it the ecu enriches the fuel delivery all the time .  It is mainly for when it is really cold out or really hot.  If it is really hot without it connected it may be a little harder to start.

Most of those connectors can be repaired, or go to a junk yard and clip one off and splice in

Good Luck !