Hi,
I beleive the esc module is on the driver's side firewall, with a bunch of relays. It is a flat, black piece of plastic , about the size of a pack of smokes. The connector has 6 or so terminals, all in line. It should be somewhere around the brake booster.Sorry if I'm wrong....
As far as spark knock problems are concerned, yes, make sure the system is working. After that, time to pull out the diagnostic charts. Good luck!