Damaged wires in engine compartment, still runs
 

The mighty X5 sits around a lot these days, I generally use it in poor weather and for other undignified tasks. It’s a 2001 3.0 that’s never had a problem I couldn’t figure out browsing this forum. The last few times out it seemed low on power. It was also making a faint whirring type noise. Having no idea if the two were related, I finally opened up the hood for look and found this looking down at the front of the engine passenger side. Looks possibly like a varmint chewed on the wiring going to whatever these connectors are. It starts fine and runs, you wouldn’t even know there is a problem except the power is reduced. What are these two connectors connecting? I can’t imagine they are just wired to each other so what is going on here? Is there a piece missing? Did something get caught in the fan? I’m really stumped and would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Top one is camshaft position sensor.
Bottom one is exhaust VANOS solenoid (variable camshaft timing solenoid for the exhaust camshaft). Your car is low on power because your variable camshaft timing is currently inoperable.

Thank you for the info. Where are these supposed to attach? I didn’t see anything obvious.

Well this is not going to be an easy fix. Not much to work with.

Figured I may as well follow up. She lives to fight another day.

Nice work.

I keep a couple of cut up engine harnesses around to scavenge for connectors and wiring as needed.

Where I lived a couple years ago, squirrels would occasionally be chewing up wires. Damn critters.

- Cover the repair with corrugated tubing and zip tie it. The corrugated tubing is a few $ at local autoparts stores.
- Then google "Mighty Mint Rodent" or sth like that. Rodents hate mint...