Hello all, I have a 1989 F150 XLT lariat with a 302 (5.0) 5spd. I was removing the intake manifold to install a new one (old one was cracked) and i think i may have broke the knock sensor on the back of the motor when i took the manifold off. The plastic connector completely snapped. I have gone to 3 different auto parts stores, searched online, and in 5 different junkyards and I cannot find this elusive sensor. I have been told by a bunch of local ford guys that alot of the older 5.0 motors never had knock sensors even into the mid 90's. They said i could probably leave it unplugged and drive around no problem. I feel that ford put it there for a reason. What do you guys think, and do you have any suggestions on where I can find another one? Do you think its alright to do light driving with it unplugged for now? Its a 5spd manual so I can keep the RPMs down if i have to. thanks guys!

 

Most 5.0 truck motors will have that sensor but I think you could easily get away without it.. if your timing is set right the motor should not ping or knock anyway.

 

AutoValue could get one for me. The guy said he only sold 3 of them, probably because they were rebuilding the whole motor, or they broke it, but they almost never go bad. Maybe try summitracing? You should be alright without it, but will probably pull the code. IIRC it was under $30. If it were me, I would just replace it because I know how much of a pain it is just to get the upper intake diconnected and off.

 

where can i buy a knock sensor. the guys a ford said that they don't sell them anymore and all the part stores do not carry them.

 

Autozone has it. At least they did not that long ago.

 

I should have one on the motor that I just pulled from my pickup. Pay for shipping and you can have it. Just send me a message if you want it. The motor did have 210,000 miles on it and is out of a '94. Not sure if that matters with this part or not.

 

I have a good but used one sitting on my desk here now.

You WILL need to replace it. I bought a 88 F150 years ago, had to pull the trans and found my knock was unplugged. I spoke with a wrench at my local dealer here. My truck was getting harder and harder to start when cold, sometimes after I started it it would stall. Mechanic told me that the computer will keep on changing the timing until it picks up a knock then back it off. So you maybe ok for a while but in the end you will have to change it out.

I changed it once more a few years latter thinking that it was the problem ... however I was wrong and I keep the old one in case it was needed some place. If your close you can come pick it up or PM and for the cost of shipping you can have it.

 

Hello, I'm hoping I can ressurect this thread for some advice. I pulled my upper intake for valve cover gasket and EGR pipe replacement and discovered my knock sensor disconnected. and hanging from it's harness:



I searched for a pic of the location it should go and found:



This is a pic looking down right behind the intake manifold. I don't see a hole for it, could the block have been replaced? I guess that would explain why it wasn't connected... Am I looking in the right spot? Should I drill and tap a spot for it?
I do have hard cold starts as Ohio Ford said, not sure if they are related.



It's an '89 5.0
Thanks!

 

one more pic:

 

The block probably was replaced somewhere along the way with one that didn't use a knock sensor. You can drill and tap the block for one, but I think it would be darn near impossible to do with the engine in the truck. Are you having any driveability issues other than the cold start issue? If it's running well otherwise with no knock, I would be tempted to just leave it alone.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I don't think it's causing any other problems, the truck runs well. I don't notice any pinging.

I might have to just leave it hanging although It will drive me crazy knowing it's like that. I haven't confirmed the cold start theory yet but I have the battery disconnected now so once I get everything back together I would expect whatever long term effects the knock sensor may or may not have on the computer would be reset.

I was able to get back there well enough by standing on the passenger tire since I have the passenger wheel well out. I might take a crack at drilling it if I have the tap and can get a clear picture of where I need to drill. I want to bump the base timing a little so it would be nice to know the knock sensor is there just in case.

 

Hi,

This thread is 2 & 1/2 years old but since there are so many already for this knock sensor didn't see the good in starting another.

I am having difficulty locating a knock sensor for a 1989 Bronco w/302. Looks like neither ac700wildcat nor Ohio Ford Farm have been around for a while or would ask for one of theirs.

Have checked Rockauto & every other auto parts warehouse I can think of for
Airtex/Wells #5S2211
Standard Motor Products part no.# KS13
Tomco part no.# 29021
Ford part no.# E3AF-12A699AA or E3AF-AA

Any ideas where one might procure a Knock Sensor?

thanks

 

Give a shout to:

<dt>CollectorsAutoSupply.com</dt> <dd>OROVILLE, WA 98844
800-414-4462</dd>

You're looking for Service Part Number E3AZ-12A699-A computer sez they have one but call them to be sure.

 

Thank you ctubutis.

How did you come up with that Service Part Number?

 

The FoMoCo 1980/89 Light Truck Master Parts Catalog, available on CD from hipoparts for ~$22.