2003 Ford Escape Knock Sensor Missing

2003 FORD ESCAPE

160,000 MILES • 3.0L • V6 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC

RAWDOG

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Is the right side wiring harness the one that comes from the computer and goes behind the engine, and to the right to the fuse and relay box? I have almost taken it out and still cannot find the plug. I am thinking it might have gotten cut off when I was installing the engine. The knock sensor is laying there and cannot find the other end of the plug! Does this year XLS model have a knock sensor? This is my first time pulling a engine out my self, and I am fifty one years old. Please help.

May 23, 2017 at 10:14 AM

STRAILER

✓Experienced Mechanic
55,694 POSTS

Hello,

The sensor is near the rear of the engine, here is a wiring diagram for the engine and knock sensor and a location picture of the sensor (BELOW). Look for the color wires that will match up. Nice work on pulling the engine. Please let us know what you find ;)

Images (Click to enlarge)

May 24, 2017 at 5:51 AM

MATTHEW SEIDNER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Definitely missing the knock sensor on these vehicles. Trace the entire harness and even the pin out on the ECM and the wires are missing… factory mishaps perhaps? I was wondering why this thing eats engines. Literally grenaded it while going down the freeway with the old motor. Second picture is where it is supposed to come out of the harness. Notice both pins 57 and 32 are missing. What do?

Images (Click to enlarge)

Nov 27, 2021 at 10:02 AM

KASEKENNY

✓Experienced Mechanic
18,907 POSTS

That is very strange but let's confirm that this is the same vehicle as listed above.

What year and engine is your Escape?

I am going to attach a little different info from a different manual then above.

The Duratec and Zetec engine do have different locations and pin in the PCM.

If you are not sure if you have the 2.0L or 3.0L then if you send your VIN, we can determine that.

Do you have a wire in pin 87 of the PCM? What color is it?

Let's start with this and go from there.

Images (Click to enlarge)

Nov 28, 2021 at 12:15 AM

MATTHEW SEIDNER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I do not have a vehicle right by me right now so I cannot get you the VIN, but I can confirm that it definitely has the 3 L v6 Duratec motor. Just put that motor in last week. And we didn’t do anything goofy it’s the same motor that came out. I’ll check the VIN and pin 87 later in the afternoon around four o’clock and get back to you.

Nov 28, 2021 at 12:59 AM

KASEKENNY

✓Experienced Mechanic
18,907 POSTS

Sounds great. That will hopefully help because if that is the case, you should have those places in the connector filled.

Do you have any codes? If the PCM is looking for the info on this circuit then it should be setting codes for open circuits or other issues because it is not seeing it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Thanks

Nov 28, 2021 at 4:30 AM

JASON WARREN

MEMBER
1 POST

I’m having the same exact problem… there is no wires in 32 or 57 and just a red wire with a black stripe coming out of 87 my VIN number is 1fmcu94124ka70775.

Feb 10, 2023 at 11:02 AM

STRAILER

✓Experienced Mechanic
55,694 POSTS

I updated the first post to include all of the engine wiring diagrams so you can see where the wires should go. So, in pin #57 there should be yellow/red wire that goes to the knock sensor. #32 should be dark green and violet. #87 goes to the oxygen sensor. If you don't have wires, then they omitted the knock sensor on that vehicle.

Feb 11, 2023 at 5:41 AM

Suggested Repair

Trace the PCM connector rather than assuming the knock-sensor plug was cut. On the 3.0L Duratec, pin 57 should be yellow/red and pin 32 dark green/violet to the knock sensor; pin 87, often red with a black stripe, goes to an oxygen sensor. If pins 32 and 57 are empty, the knock sensor was omitted on that vehicle. Confirm the engine and scan for open-circuit codes if the PCM expects the signal.

Conversation Summary

A 2003 Ford Escape owner could not find the knock-sensor connector after installing the engine and asked whether the right-side harness from the computer was the correct circuit. Experts supplied engine wiring diagrams, sensor location guidance, and PCM pin colors, and asked for the engine type, VIN, pin 87 color, and any codes. Follow-up confirmed a 3.0L Duratec with empty pins 32 and 57 and a red/black wire at pin 87. The expert said those empty pins mean the knock sensor was omitted, while pin 87 serves the oxygen sensor.

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2003 Ford Escape Knock Sensor Missing

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