So my girlfriend hit a deer last night, and I'm trying to sort out what I need to fix. From an initial glance, it looks like there isn't much major damage. It looks like the driver's side headlight/blinker assembly needs to be replaced, and the driver's side mirror is broken (not the mount, just the actual glass).

However, we pulled a piece out that we didn't recognize. A quick google search says it's a "resonator sub-assy air intake", part number 17805-74170 (2001 Camry).

What is this thing, and is it important? The car still seems to drive normally, and there doesn't appear to be much other damage. The part we removed is still intact, it was just not connected to anything.

 

This look like a small plastic box with a large diameter tube on one side?

 

Yes, it is.

 

If the part is what it appears to be it is plumbed into the large tube going from the engine air filter box to the throttle body.

The resonators purpose is to quiet intake air noises inside the engine air intake pipe.

Find the large plastic box that holds the engine air filter (drivers side of engine compartment. You can follow the large plastic air intake tube from the throttle body on the engine (look for a pulley with a couple of cable attached) to the box.

Some where on this tube nearer the filter box connects the resonator. The resonator would typically be mounted under the tube, low and out of the way thus pretty well hidden from view from above. The large diameter pipe on the resonator connects to a fitting on the under side of the air intake pipe.

Check the air intake pipe for a tube mating to the one on the resonator.

One caution is if the resonator is removed there will now be in opening to outside air on the engine intake tube. This will allow non-filtered air into the engine.

You can use duct tape, etc to close opening until you figure out what to do about the situation.