What is this for???

[97ss497]

I'm currently installing headers and a y-pipe on my 97 SS, and noticed a hose and connector that weren't connected to anything. The first attached picture, 106, is a view looking from above the driver's side valve cover near the front; the small hose with a 90 deg bend doesn't attach to anything. The other end of it attach's to the device just below the exhaust manifold mounting bolt. Also, the blue/red male connector down below is not connected; it actually has a black cover installed to it. My guess is maybe it was used on the old Air Pump design; My car has the new air pump due to the recall.
The second view, 108, is a view looking from the bottom; the small open hose connects to the device just to the right of my finger; next to the female connector. Maybe the blue/red connector is supposed to go there; but why would there be a black cover on the male connector? I looked at Shoebox's tech site; but it looks like a '95 is different than a '97 in this area.
Any help is much appreciated......

[97ss497]

Not sure how to add multiple jpg's.... Here's view 108.

[Rob B (shoebox)]

Looks like the connector should plug into the AIR pump bleed solenoid. Someone must have disconnected it. The hose should plug into a valve that is in the hose between the AIR pump and the metal tubing on the driver's side.

[Injuneer]

I've seen a number of posts over the years by people with similar loose connectors, and the common denominator seems to be cars that have had the air pump recall work done.

[97ss497]

upon further review.....

Thanks for the reply Shoebox. It looks as though the part in my photo is the old AIR pump solenoid. Their was nothing attached to it. I removed it from the engine compartment and noticed it had p/n 12552790 on it; which per gmpartsdirect is a HARN-VLV. A GM shop replaced it with the newly designed version; which is just kinda hanging there; they didn't take the time to attach it to the block; it actually has a bracket attached to it with a hole, so I'll try to find a home for it.

One other note, I noticed when removing the number 3 sparkplug that it had a little bit of oil on it where it attaches to the head; there just a little bit on the head in the cast opening for the spark plug threads. Maybe the sparkplug was not seated properly?

Thanks