Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Knock Censor

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 27, 2006 | 06:51 PM
  #1  
Larry7's Avatar
Larry7
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Knock Censor

I have a 1989 F-150 with a 4.9L in-line six cyllinder. Where is the knock censor located on that motor?
 
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2006 | 07:23 PM
  #2  
quicklook2's Avatar
quicklook2
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
it does not have one.
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2006 | 12:00 AM
  #3  
PatsPOS's Avatar
PatsPOS
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: Portage Twp, PA
According to the '89 Ford shop manual, it's a couple inches in front of the oil filter. And as best as I could see on my '89 4.9L, that IS indeed where it is...it's just got a bunch of stuff in the way obscuring a clear view.

Pat
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2006 | 09:24 AM
  #4  
MustangGT221's Avatar
MustangGT221
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Club FTE Gold Member
Yeah it doesn't have one...only 302's had one in particular years.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 12:18 AM
  #5  
PatsPOS's Avatar
PatsPOS
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: Portage Twp, PA
Found it and took a pic

Here's a pic (the best one I could take without removing the coil) of the knock sensor on my '89 300:



According to the '89 EVTM, page 38, it uses pin #23 on the EEC. And on page 133 of the same manual, it shows the location of the sensor as being between the coil and the distributor, below the lifter cover. The coil is directly to the left of the sensor in the above pic, and my hand is blocking the distributor. And in my previous post, I meant to say in front of the distributor, but had oil filter on the brain. Sorry 'bout that.

Hope that helps clear things up a little about knock sensors...at least for 300s in '89!
Pat
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 09:35 AM
  #6  
jas88's Avatar
jas88
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,968
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Club FTE Silver Member

My '91 4.9L has one. It's exactly where PatsPOS says it is. Doesn't work very well, tho, as I have to run 89 octane to keep it from pinging.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 03:25 PM
  #7  
MustangGT221's Avatar
MustangGT221
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Club FTE Gold Member
Interesting...

Screws in the block, right?
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 03:35 PM
  #8  
jas88's Avatar
jas88
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,968
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Club FTE Silver Member

Yep, just below the lifter covers on the side.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 03:52 PM
  #9  
MustangGT221's Avatar
MustangGT221
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Club FTE Gold Member
First time for everything but they weren't in many of them though.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 09:46 AM
  #10  
jas88's Avatar
jas88
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,968
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Club FTE Silver Member

Both of my '91 4.9s have it. To be more specific on the location, it is below the lifter covers and between the coil and the distributor.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 11:55 AM
  #11  
quicklook2's Avatar
quicklook2
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ohio
i looked again in the 1996 ford manual and indeed it shows a knock sensor in the 4.9 engine.

i thought it had none, sorry for the misinformation.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 01:09 PM
  #12  
jas88's Avatar
jas88
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,968
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Club FTE Silver Member

So, now that I have established that I have a) a knock sensor, and, b) the 4.9L wrist pin knock, could that knock be fooling my sensor into backing off the timing? If I unplug the knock sensor to test, will I get a CEL?
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 07:57 PM
  #13  
MustangGT221's Avatar
MustangGT221
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Club FTE Gold Member
The knock sensor will detect unusual vibration.

I don't know what you've done do far but if you have a knock...pull 1 plug at a time to drop a cylinder and see if the knock stops...it'll help isolate the cylinder.

You may or may not get a CEL, if you do...so what....won't hurt anything.


When I say "not in many of them"...I mean by year not within the same year.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
roadrunner doug
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Sep 28, 2014 09:44 AM
viper29
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Apr 30, 2012 09:39 PM
mturner14
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
2
Aug 17, 2008 11:14 PM
stover007
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
5
Jan 7, 2003 10:29 PM
E4corporal
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Dec 15, 2002 12:11 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:51 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE