Knock sensor code kept coming up on my 2023 F150 2.7 and of course the dealership wanted to charge me $980.00 plus parts and fluids. So by the time they are done chuckling about $1500.00. Then I noticed it only comes back on when it rains hard or long periods of wet weather. I was stumped because the sensor and wires don't get exposed to water, or do they? Sure enough Fords genius engineers designed the cowl so that when it rains a tiny drip of water comes from the center and directly onto the center of the engine causing the sensor to malfunction. If I didn't see that drop of water when I popped the hood I would have never figured it out. It should be a recall. Needless to say after fixing the leak I'll be sure to remove the fix before I trade it in. F Ford and their dealerships.

 

Automakers should establish a technicians driven database with true problem solving solutions. Too many times in this forum are repeated attempts by less than savvy professionals to repair a vehicle, or the “can’t duplicate, but well keep it for a few weeks” solutions.

 

Having the same problem, can you be more explicate perhaps some pictures of your fix or the affected area.

 

Doesn't hep any that they no longer include the engine covers. With the cover, the water coming down from the cowl pieces would fall on it and it would roll down the side of the cover. Maybe a small bed of silicone where the two cowl pieces meet will help to keep water from falling down on top of the engine.

 

I don't have the engine cover! So where does the water come from? Are you saying that there is a split in the cowl that lets the water drip onto the engine or On to the knock sensor wiring harness?

 

The two cowl pieces meet in the middle of the truck. When it rains, water makes it way down from there right onto the top of the engine. The sensors are in the valley of the engine under the intake so the wiring for the sensors is by there also. Not saying that is exactly what is causing the issue but I do know that water will make its way to the top of the engine and its coming from where the two cowl pieces meet.

 

Thanks, I will have to take a look in that area to see what I need to fix! I'm having the same problem as the topic author. I clear the DTC code and everything is good until the next time it rains! Has not happened for a few months, now we're getting a lot of thunderstorms and today the code came back.

 

Underneath the cowl is another cowl that has a bunch of little cups in it. When the cups fill with water it funnels to the center of the engine causing the knock sensor short. Im sure it causes other electronic and engine damage as well over time.

 

Knock yourself out, no one is stopping you from paying a savvy professional $1500.00 every time you have an engine light come on.

 

With a steady rain, it's not a drip, it's a constant flow. FWIW, I did notice the water when truck was new and sealed up that area with the 2 cowl pieces. Weird that water was still coming in, so there must be more parts under that cowl.. The seal on the surface doesn't do anything. The wiring can take some spray and get a little wet. But a steady flow on certain connections can't be good.
I do have the engine cover on my 2018. There is always a water stain on the cover, but it does run to the back of the engine so doesn't get onto any of the wires. I haven't had any problems with wiring.