• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

Change engine harness with engine swap, need a new harness?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lowtek
  • Start date Start date Dec 27, 2023
  • Tags Tags
    engine harness
L

lowtek

Member
Jul 28, 2023
5
2
13
Dec 27, 2023
#1
  • Dec 27, 2023
  • #1
Bought an unfinished 03 GT project with an unfinished engine swap. The motor is supposed to be from a 98. There are engine wire harness connectors with no place to go or the length seems way too short.
I think the engine wiring harness is the one that came with the replacement engine.

Am I right thinking I need a 99-04 engine wiring harness? If so I'm looking for a harness

RichK
AKA lowtek
 

weendoggy

5 Year Member
Jan 14, 2019
198
57
38
Aptos, CA
Jan 1, 2024
#2
  • Jan 1, 2024
  • #2
You first have to make sure what engine/ECU management system is in the car. If it's a '98 and going in a '03, they don't jive together. Different beasts. Also, what trans is in the car, auto/manual, because the VSS and OSS are different signals and work different. The '03 is OSS and runs through the car PCM. So, you need to do some homework and find out exactly what you're dealing with.
 

Mcmahst

5 Year Member
Jan 19, 2021
679
264
83
Laguna Woods CA, fort Mohave AZ
Jan 1, 2024
#3
  • Jan 1, 2024
  • #3
And if you’re unsure, post pics of what you have. I’m sure someone here will recognize what you have.
 
L

lowtek

Member
Jul 28, 2023
5
2
13
Jan 10, 2024
#4
  • Jan 10, 2024
  • #4
Here are some pictures of what I'm trying to solve.
I'm holding one part of the harness with 2 connectors and no apparent place to connect. In some engine pictures I've seen this end wrapped around the front of the valve cover and running back above the exhaust manifold. I don't have anything in that area to connect to. Hard to see but there is a connector along the harness between the first two plugs that has an extension cable plugged into it. The extension goes nowhere and has a different connector at the other end.

The other picture shows 2 greenish plugs that are near each other along the top of the firewall. They're both the same gender and nothing to plug them into. I wonder if they're meant to plug together.

Not shown is the speed sensor cable which is too short and on the wrong side of the trans. Trans is a 3650, original equipment.

When I got this car home it was electrically dead but I hunted down 2 unconnected grounds based on pictures I saw online. The cabin now has power and the engine now cranks using a key. Not ready to fire it yet.
 

Attachments

  • wire-1.webp
    419.7 KB · Views: 214
  • wire-2.webp
    457.8 KB · Views: 207

Mcmahst

5 Year Member
Jan 19, 2021
679
264
83
Laguna Woods CA, fort Mohave AZ
Jan 11, 2024
#5
  • Jan 11, 2024
  • #5
If you’re up to it and think you can make the merger, first thing you need are the two wiring diagrams for the car itself and then the engine; make sure you’ve verified the engine/ECU before you obtain that diagram. From there, you can I’d each of the car harnesses that you’ll need to connect to the older engine harness.

If electrical stuff isn’t your thing, you’ve got to decide if you want to learn, pay someone else (yikes), get a ‘03 engine/harness, or sell and get a new project. I choose option 1; I did something like this last 2 years on my 73, and it was a great learning experience. But get good diagrams/schematics, the ones that I’d the connectors. Ford made wiring diagnostic manuals, I had one for my donor car, so I suspect they still make them. Good luck.
 
L

lowtek

Member
Jul 28, 2023
5
2
13
Jan 13, 2024
#6
  • Jan 13, 2024
  • #6
Mcmahst said:
If you’re up to it and think you can make the merger, first thing you need are the two wiring diagrams for the car itself and then the engine; make sure you’ve verified the engine/ECU before you obtain that diagram. From there, you can I’d each of the car harnesses that you’ll need to connect to the older engine harness.

If electrical stuff isn’t your thing, you’ve got to decide if you want to learn, pay someone else (yikes), get a ‘03 engine/harness, or sell and get a new project. I choose option 1; I did something like this last 2 years on my 73, and it was a great learning experience. But get good diagrams/schematics, the ones that I’d the connectors. Ford made wiring diagnostic manuals, I had one for my donor car, so I suspect they still make them. Good luck.
Click to expand...
I'm thinking about getting a harness.
 
Reactions: Mcmahst

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
6,945
5,816
213
Jan 22, 2024
#7
  • Jan 22, 2024
  • #7
The green ones look like o2 sensor harness plugs. Could be wrong but looks like them.
 
L

lowtek

Member
Jul 28, 2023
5
2
13
Jan 22, 2024
#8
  • Jan 22, 2024
  • #8
Figured it out. O2 sensors point to the sky because the harness is flipped at the firewall. Part of the harness should be 6-8 inches lower and run across the top of the bellhousing attached to a harness retainer.

Have to disconnect everything at the back of engine (hoses etc) and untwist it. Can't snake it under all the connections
 
Reactions: Mcmahst
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Electrical Ron Francis Headlight / Alternator Harness
  • dan50
  • Apr 30, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
204
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 30, 2026
dan50
A
Check Engine codes jumping around
  • azactor
  • Jan 9, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
175
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 10, 2026
gkomo
1
Electrical Headlight harness trouble
  • 1985fox
  • Apr 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
220
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 17, 2026
AeroCoupe
F
Electrical Foxbody wiring harness 2.3 to v8 swap
  • Foxbodyjake
  • Mar 23, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
666
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 13, 2026
Foxbodyjake
F
0
V6 to V8 Swap info
  • 02_2v_Curtis
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
668
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 11, 2026
02_2v_Curtis
0
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?