Ford Escape knock sensor wiring issue... help?

My friend Spencer has a 2020 Ford Escape, and he thinks there’s a wiring issue with the knock sensor. He replaced the knock sensor, but after testing both the sensor and the wiring, the readings were still off. There’s also a code showing low voltage to the knock sensor: P0327. Any idea what steps he should take to fix this?

Has he checked to see if the engine model is correct for the sensor? Sometimes the sensor type can vary depending on the engine size. Also, using an OEM knock sensor for this model is recommended.

Pax said:
Has he checked to see if the engine model is correct for the sensor? Sometimes the sensor type can vary depending on the engine size. Also, using an OEM knock sensor for this model is recommended.

Not sure about the engine details, but I’ll ask him. Good tip about using OEM parts!

If the P0327 code is showing low voltage, it could be a wiring issue for sure. Has he checked the wiring harness for any damage or loose connections?

Tyson said:
If the P0327 code is showing low voltage, it could be a wiring issue for sure. Has he checked the wiring harness for any damage or loose connections?

Yeah, he tested the wires but still got incorrect readings. Maybe there’s a loose connection somewhere he didn’t spot.

Tell him to inspect the connectors at the sensor. Sometimes corrosion or bent pins can cause a bad connection, leading to low voltage.

Ezri said:
Tell him to inspect the connectors at the sensor. Sometimes corrosion or bent pins can cause a bad connection, leading to low voltage.

I’ll tell him to take a closer look at the connectors.

He could also try tracing the wiring back to the ECU to check for continuity. A broken or damaged wire somewhere along the way might be the issue.

Nathan said:
He could also try tracing the wiring back to the ECU to check for continuity. A broken or damaged wire somewhere along the way might be the issue.

I’ll suggest that too, sounds like it could help pinpoint the issue.

Did he check the voltage with the engine running or just when it was off? It could make a difference in the readings.

Caelan said:
Did he check the voltage with the engine running or just when it was off? It could make a difference in the readings.

Not sure about that either, but I’ll ask. Thanks for the suggestion.