Mystery Bit

I know I could probably look in several wiring diagrams and manuals, but I'd much rather ask you folks. Does anybody know what the piece identified was originally supposed to do? There is nothing attached to it atm.

Guessing it has a diesel engine fitted?
Looks like where the ignition coils is mounted on my series 2 2.25 petrol - will look under the bonnet later and check.

Yes, its a diesel S3.

closer photo may help. Is the diesel original or a retrofit?

G

That kinda looks like an ignition coil ballast resistor, if its ceramic with a couple of terminals then it is.
Looks like it was a petrol at some time, engines with a ballast used 6v coils, when the engine's running the resistor drops the cars 12v down to 6v, and when cranking the resistor is bypassed giving the coil an extra kick whilst the starter pulls the battery volts down.
Popular in colder climates.

It is ceramic with a couple of terminals. So it's probably safe to assume that the diesel is a retrofit, then.

Its defo a ballast resistor , and yes Id say its a diesel retro fit .

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