SENSOR in my AIRBOX... WHY? Not oem

[W O T]

I was looking at some cold air intake ideas today so I can remove that huge *** air box and put a second battery in its spot. And I see a sensor, with factory looking wire coming from it going into a main wire loom.

The sensor looks siliconed (not sturdy) intot he front of the airbox....

DO you guys have this? its in an 01 qx4 3.5 auto. WTF could it be, cause it dont work with my cold air idea!

[carnal_c30]

Maybe the intake air temp sensor?

[slickroger]

a picture is worth way over a thousand words partner

[kkamakasi]

MAF sensor...