my stupid brother in law just got in a wreck and smashed in the front of his 97 cav coupe that he got 3 weeks ago. i am helping get him back on the road. there is a rectangular component mounted in the hood latch assembly. it is about 1 inch square and stands about 1.5 inched tall. it has a couple wires running from it back into the wiring harness. does anyone happen to know what this is? there is also a similar looking jobby but a little larger (1.5" x 1.5"x 2") mounted to the inside of the bumper and has wires running straight across the front of the bumper. this one has markings almost like a relay of sorts. any guesses guys? any info is appreciated!

Sounds like an airbag sensor. If it has airbags, i'd bet that's what it's for.

The first is definately the airbag sensor.
The second: How many wires, does it look factory or aftermarket, where in the bumper?

2nd one possibly ignition recall? just a shot in the dark

Naw, first is the airbag sensor, 'specially if it has wires wrapped in yellow tape (all air bag stuff uses neon yellow tape). The other is the DRL relay. The ignition recall (for the 2.2) puts more wires 'round the starter motor AND a relay mounted somewhere near the cooling fan on a metal crossmember.

Yup, forgot about the yellow tape/tie wrap. Mine dosen't have the yellow tape, but a big fat yellow tie wrap on the loom. Can't miss it. the DRL is a good possibility too.
Don

NO its deffinently the air bag sensor no 2 ways about it. The DRL resister is a ceramic looking piece located behind the passenger side head lamp and down just a tad. It has a wire loom with 2 wires conecting to it and 1 ( I want to say ) 14mm bolt thru its center.
Your air bag sensor should have 3 bolts all ( again I want to say ) 11mm's.




Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.