If you’re wondering what the spider web of wires is under your hood, don’t worry. It’s called an engine harness, and it does exactly what its name suggests: it connects all of the parts of your engine together.
If your mechanic just told you that your engine harness needs replaced, you may feel a little overwhelmed. Replacing your engine harness means taking apart almost everything in your car’s engine compartment and putting it back together again after installing the new harness.
That sounds like a lot of work, but if you skip out on this repair, you are gambling with your car’s future.
The average cost to replace an engine harness is $1,100. This repair can range from a low of $700 to a high of $1,800. The part itself will cost you an average of $650, while the cost of labor to install an engine harness will average you $575. However, the price for an engine harness will vary depending on your car’s year, make, and model. Your car’s features, sensors, and capabilities will also affect the cost.
Depending on how easy or hard it is to access your engine harness, it could cost as little as $150 and as high as $1,000 for a professional. We’ll explore what you need to know about replacing your engine harness and discuss everything you should think about before committing to this major repair.
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Engine Harness Cost For Different Vehicles
We have compiled a list of various vehicles and the cost of the engine harness for specific models. Prices for a replacement of the engine harness are an average and will vary depending on your make and model of car:
Toyota Camry
- eBay – $150 to $600 (Includes new and used)
- Toyota Parts Website – $1,300 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $100 $550 (Used)
Honda Accord
- eBay – $130 to $660 (Includes new and used)
- Honda OEM Parts Store – $1,160 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $90 to $650 (Used)
Ford Escape
- eBay – $110 to $500 (Includes new and used)
- Ford OEM Parts Site – $1,000 (New)
- Walmart – $540 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $80 to $650 (Used)
Nissan Sentra
- eBay – $160 to $650 (Includes new and used)
- Nissan Parts Website – $1,470 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $75 to $850 (Used)
Hyundai Sonata
- eBay – $92 to $500 (Includes new and used)
- Hyundai OEM Parts Site – $1730 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $105 to $760 (Used)
Chevrolet Equinox
- eBay – $100 to $500 (Includes new and used)
- Chevy OEM Parts Site – $390 to $760
- Scrap Yard – $90 to $450 (Used)
GMC Terrain
- eBay – $90 to $300 (Includes new and used)
- GM OEM Parts Site – $310 to $705 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $90 to $500 (Used)
Honda Odyssey
- eBay – $167 to $375
- Honda Parts Website – $1,100 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $165 to $425 (Used)
Ford Fusion
- eBay – $85 to $900 (Includes new and used)
- Walmart – $535 to $900 (New)
- Ford Parts Website – $365 to $1,070 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $100 to $600 (Used)
Chevrolet Malibu
- eBay – $125 to $350 (Includes new and used)
- Chevy OEM Parts Site – $400 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $90 to $475 (Used)
Nissan Maxima
- eBay – $170 to $780 (Includes new and used)
- Nissan Parts Website – $635 (New)
- Scrap Yard – $80 to $425 (Used)
These are just a few vehicles and the prices for engine harness replacement. As you can see, it varies significantly depending on your make and model of vehicle. The model year also makes a big difference, with older vehicles having less expensive replacement engine harnesses.
Engine Harness Replacement Cost Estimates
There are many different places to take your car for an estimate to replace your engine harness. We have compiled a list of costs for some places to take your car for an estimate:
- Car Dealer – $800 to $1700
- None Factory Dealership – $650 to $1575
- Jiffy Lube – $830 to $1650 (Location dependent)
- Local Mechanic – $580 to $1250
This list is fundamental and will vary depending on your mechanic, but it is a good starting point to get an idea of the cost.
Many franchise shops will not replace engine harnesses because of the amount of time they can take to replace them. Many different options will do it cheaper than the dealer, but not all mechanics can replace an engine harness properly.
What Does An Engine Harness Do?
An engine harness connects and transmits power from the battery to the starter, alternator, ignition coils, fuel pump, air intake system, and emission control components.
It also sends signals from these components back to your car’s computer for evaluation. The computer then sends out commands to the engine.
This network of wires is both critical and complex. If even one section of wiring is damaged, your car can break down or stop working altogether.
It’s also essential that every single wire in your engine harness has continuity, or electrical resistance, so technicians can properly diagnose problems with the vehicle during service. That’s why technicians must replace the complete engine harnesses and not just certain parts.
Is My Engine Harness Bad?
If you are wondering if you need a new engine harness, there are a couple of signs to pay attention to. Here are a couple of the symptoms you should look for to see if your car needs a new engine harness:
- Unexplained Check Engine Light, Service Engine Soon, or Malfunction Indicator
- Lamp Illumination
- Random stalling out
- Hard or irregular starting
- Engine warning light on or flashing
The sooner you address the issue, the less costly and inconvenient it will be.
Is Replacing an Engine Harness Difficult?
Replacing an engine harness isn’t easy. Depending on your specific vehicle, this job can take as little as an hour or as much as 15 hours.
As cars continue to become more dependent on technology and electronics, the complexity of repairs is increasing. Replacing an engine harness can be a difficult job, and for most, having a professional do it is the best option.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Engine Harness?
The cost to replace an engine harness can vary depending on your make and model. The average price of a replacement is $1,100.
Prices for this job will also vary depending on how much labor goes into the process. Labor costs range from as low as $150 up to $1,000 or more for some vehicles.
It’s also important to remember that labor costs don’t include parts, which on average is $650.
Can You Fix a Damaged Engine Wiring Harness?
In some cases, you can fix a damaged engine wiring harness instead of replacing it. However, this is only an option if the damage is not extensive.
For simple repairs, you may be able to repair certain parts of the engine wiring harness without replacing it all. However, there is no way to get around replacing the engine wiring harness in some situations.
When assessing if you can get away with repairing a damaged engine wiring harness, consider the following:
The Extent of the Damage
Is your damage just parts of the wires that are cut? If so, it may be fixable by splicing in a new wire section to the existing one. On occasion, you should get away with not having to replace other parts of the wiring harness.
Burnt-Out Spots in the Wiring Harness
It is possible to fix burned-out spots in the wiring harness, but only if it does not involve any electrical components. The problem with fixing burned-out areas is that they usually involve more than one wire, and the entire harness will need to be replaced anyway.
Loose Connections
If there is a loose connection, you can fix it by reseating the connector in its housing. This may solve the issue of the engine not starting, but keep in mind that if the connection is loose, it could become worse or cause other problems.
Damage from Heat or Water
If the engine wiring harness has been damaged from heat or water, it could be a lost cause. The wires have most likely become brittle and can be easily broken.
These are some things you can check to see if it is an option for repairing your engine wiring harness instead of replacing it. If you are not sure, consult with a professional to help you decide if it is worth the risk or not.
What Makes An Engine Harness Go Bad?
Many different things can cause an engine wiring harness to go bad. Some examples of what could make your engine wiring harness go bad are as follows:
Electrical Short
If you have an electrical short in the engine wiring harness, this will affect the entire harness. It may not be easy to diagnose where it is coming from, and replacing the whole engine wiring harness may be the best option.
Water Damage
If your vehicle has sustained flood or water damage, this can cause the engine wiring harness to corrode and malfunction. There is a possibility of shorting out parts of the wire, leading to expensive problems. A new engine wiring harness will need to be installed if there is any water damage.
Heat Damage
Overheating a vehicle will affect the performance and cause problems with the engine wiring harness. If you run your car too close to its maximum RPM for too long, it can seriously harm the engine wiring harness and even start a fire in some cases.
Weather Conditions
Extreme weather conditions can cause the engine wiring harness to corrode and fray over time. Harnesses are made from various materials, but even the best material will eventually break down in extreme temperatures.
The reasons your engine might be going downhill or having trouble could be due to any of these factors. When you start having problems with your engine, it is critical to find out the cause of the problem to get it fixed. Otherwise, this could lead to more significant issues down the road.
Final Thoughts
Replacing an engine wiring harness is no easy task, so it’s essential to be prepared. The average cost for this type of repair can vary depending on the vehicle, but it shouldn’t cost you more than $1,000 in most cases.
Find out the cost for your specific vehicle, and don’t be afraid to call around to different shops for the best price. It’s also important not to be taken advantage of when it comes to your wiring harness replacement.
If you are quoted a price that seems too high, show the technician your estimate and be sure to get at least three different quotes to make sure it is fair.
