What is this part?

[EdInArlington]

Hi-

I have a 2003 Ford Ranger. The other day, my check engine light came on, flashing. I'd had no noticeable problems beforehand. When I opened up the hood, the first thing I noticed was a broken wire. I've had the hardest time finding out what this part is, as it looks to be a relatively simple fix. The wire that is broken is connected to another wire, and is also connected to a bulbous thing lower in the engine chamber. I've posted images of these parts, hopefully the pics are good enough to indicate what the parts are. Now, the question is, is this an easy fix, and would this wire being broken cause the flashing CE light?

Thanks in advance,
Ed in Arlington

 

[Brant Kieffer]

The pics are pretty hard to make out what it is, could you give a better description as to where it is/ leads to and maybe some better pictures.
With the newer it gets the more random stuff can make a check engine light come on, if its a broken wire id say to repair the wire if possible to see if the check engine light goes off. if it does then start to look for a replacement part
-Brant

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

That sir is a vacuum ball…. Those are not wires, they are vacuum lines and should be repaired. Easy as hell to repair…. In a pinch, I would use shrink tube for electrical connections… or use a rubber butt connection.