Q: I have a 2.3 L and switching to a 3.0 L. How do I know what new ECM and wiring harness to buy?

asked by on January 27, 2017

I'm getting a new engine and it's a 3.0 and my current one is broken down and is a 2.3z I'm told i need a new wiring harness and ECM but when i search i'm confused on how to search whether it's 3.0 ford escape ecm and harness or 2.3.

My car has 138000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hi there. The best thing to do is go to the local parts store and have them get a harness for your vehicle with a 2.3L engine and a 3.0L engine. Then you can compare the different wiring harnesses to determine if you can use the same harness or if you need a new one. The harnesses will show you the connection ports to the computer, so you can determine if your computer will match. If you need further assistance with your engine swap, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

I can feel a shimmy in the wheel
If you can see that the rubber seals are torn, the component will need replaced as the internal lubrication is seeping out. The joints are under extreme pressure and need adequate lubrication to sustain integrity. If the joint gets dried...
Can't pass smog check with Check Engine Light on
The most common reason for your Check Engine Light coming on is for random engine misfires. You may be having this problem, and may need to have the ignition diagnosed, to see what is causing the misfire. You may have...
Car won't crank
Hello. There are many reasons why a car wont turn over. A bad starter, a bad connection at the battery or starter, low battery voltage, bad starter relay are just a few. Because of the limited amount of information and...
Noise under my car
Honda Elements (https://www.yourmechanic.com/estimates/honda/element) are known for sway bar noises. In many instances, replacing the sway bar bushings, especially in the sway bar, will get rid of clunking noises over bumps. Now this is only one possibility but a common issue....
SUV experienced low acceleration and loss of power
Hello. There are a few possible problems that might explain the problems you are experiencing with your 2009 Saturn Outlook. There could be a problem with the catalytic converter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/catalytic-converter-replacement) in that it may be clogged. The catalytic converter is...
My car stalls out as soon as I started and there's a little red light flashing where the gas gauge is in my 2007 Dodge Charger
Hey there. This sounds like an anti-theft issue which could also be related to the chip in your key not being properly read by the car's computer. I would suggest taking it to the dealer and seeing if they can...
Brakes causing screeching noise?
Hi and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. A loud screeching noise coming from your brakes is caused from a couple of issues. First - consider the last time the brake pads were changed (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement). If it has been a while...
Can the radiator cause my car to stall?
Hello - a radiator issue, unless we're talking about severe overheating, will not cause stalling. This is more commonly caused by idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement), throttle body (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-body-replacement), intake air leak, or ignition misfire issues. I would recommend having...
Car is making grinding noise
Hi There, It sounds like you may have a faulty starter solenoid that may be dragging a bit too long against the flywheel after the motor fires. This will cause the starter gear to engage the flywheel once the motor...

Related articles

What to Do If Your Car Switches Get Wet
Your car switches are electrical components. They operate internal and external vehicle functions that require low currents in some cases...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a General Contractor
If If you're a general contractor, you probably aren’t in the market for a used car. More likely, you’re looking for a pickup truck, because you need to haul equipment and supplies to various job sites. Most contractors will likely...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Engine Control Module (ECM)
Common signs of a failing PCM/ECM/ECU include the Check Engine Light coming on, engine performance issues, and the car not starting.