After doing an oil change on my gf's CL, I noticed this sensor sitting in the corner of the engine bay.

The CL's got some trans problems... apparently, the PO had already done the tranmission recall. The PO mentioned if the trans had complications, he told us to turn off the car and flip this little switch under the steering column. We had to do this a handful of times but whatever this switch does it works around the problem. I'm suspecting it some sort of hack. Just wondering if this sensor is would have to do something with the trans prob.
*Note* previous owner is an acquaintance and sold it dirt cheap, if anyone of you were wondering why my gf bought a messed up CL.