Not that I'm one to readily freak out about something like this... today is the first time I've really had a chance to crawl under the car, (I'm installing wire mesh over the oil coolers, and in the front for the radiator). While I was underneath there, I got to looking around at things... and I noticed that there was electrical tape wrapped around a sensor on the oil pan.
Again, not being one to freak out over things, I grabbed my Service Highlights manual, to see what the "sensor" was. First of all, according to the manual, the only thing that's supposed to be on the drivers side is the drain plug. It's on the right side. No problem... the only thing the book shows electrically connected is the oil level switch. So, why would it have electical tape wrapped around it? For protection? I find it hard to believe that a car - any car that is this new would have to resort to such antiquanted tactics.
Has anyone else crawled under their 8 and seen this?
Or am I just letting my consipricy-thinking-mind get the best of me? :D
I took a couple of pix, but those won't be ready for posting for a while, I don't have a digital camera that's worth a $#!T, and prefer to use my old, trusty SLR. <-- Pix are better anyway!
-Doccable

 

Yes, that is how it came from the factory...

There is a second joint of the same 'high quality' on top of the engine, next to your oil filler pipe.

We don't know, given the beauty of the rest of the wiring harness, why they would put three turns of tape in these spots, and be satisfied.
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doc

 

Probably a thing with early production models. A proper electrical wrap got missed in all the tiny details, and will probably be added to newer cars by now. Personally though, were it me, I'd prolly put some heat shrink or other better wrap in place while I was under there.