Today my 2002 xterra (not supercharged) was running rough and the check engine light came on. I realized a spark plug wire was split in 2 pieces and while replacing the wires I found these wires that were exposed. This is right where the wire was split so I figured it is the culprit of the spark plug wire. My question is what do the wires operate? Should I be worried about this enough to replace it? I dont want the wires to short out and fry the computer, which I had happen in a jeep a few years ago. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

http://s1336.beta.photobucket.com/user/burkead/media/031_zpsc9ae9383.jpg.html

http://s1336.beta.photobucket.com/user/burkead/media/030_zps004a8b44.jpg.html

http://s1336.beta.photobucket.com/user/burkead/media/029_zps5377374b.jpg.html

not sure exactly what they might be for, but I would think you would have noticed something not working or a problem from them being broken like that. Either way, I would think its well worth the time and effort to fix them a.s.a.p.

I'm sure it can be tracked down as to what they are for exactly, or someone on here may already know firsthand, but again either way, I wouldnt put it off.

Looks suspiciously like a knock sensor re-location. Those wires may be the ones from the knock sensor that went bad down on the block, and the owner did, (or maybe just cut the wires), the knock sensor re-location. Hard to tell from the photos.
People say the non-supercharged does not need a knock sensor...I'm not convinced.

People say the non-supercharged does not need a knock sensor...I'm not convinced.

It looks like the sub-harness for the fuel injectors.

Match the wire colors up and splice them back together.