Help identify component on 2.8Hdi, photo.

[68c]

Can anyone identify this component on the top LH of my 2.8Hdi engine. While generally looking around the area I noticed a bare electrical terminal on nthe end of the round bit. Found a loose wire with a similar connector fallen/tucked? behind the intake manifold.
As far as I can remember I have not touched it before. A couple of years ago I did run a larger wire through the area to feed my leisure battery but the van has run OK for thousands of miles since.
About three months ago the van has started to drop into limp mode for a minute or two then acting normally. It happened the first time after braking sharply, again after hitting bumps. Seems to happen more often in the first mile when leaving home. I have been randomly unplugging various sensors and spraying with WD40 so hope all will be OK now.
I bought an adapter cable, 3 pin to OBD socket, tried with a generic OBD reader, did not manage to read much other than it thought the intake air temp was 215'C and it ticked over at 190 rpm. I also bought a Lexia diagnostic kit, the software seemed to load OK but could not connect to the ECU. Have sent it back.

EDIT, sorry forgot to add phot.

 

[Winger]

Sorry I can’t help (bump)

 

[Rogerwyn]

manifold heater solenoid,

 

[eurajohn]

If my memory is correct (and it might not be) I think that is the solenoid control for the cold start device.

 

[68c]

Thank you. It has always started OK, perhaps never that cold in sunny Southampton. Will be taking it out over Easter for a few days, hopefully all well.

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[Figaro]

Will be taking it out over Easter for a few days, hopefully all well.

I'd recommend putting your engine back in the engine bay first

 

[Badknee]

Up until a few months ago I didn’t know what that was, there was a conversation about glow plugs failing and I went and had a look and my engine doesn’t have any. What it does have is a valve that opens to inject fuel into the pipe from the air cleaner that is lit and sucked into the engine to aid starting. Every days a skoowal day.

 

[Figaro]

I think it's called flamestart system