Knock Sensor:
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Detects the combustion of pockets of air and fuel outside the normal ignition cycle (engine knocking)
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This type of combustion outside the normal cycle can be destructive to the engine, highlighting its importance
Troubleshooting:
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Symptoms:
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Loss of engine power
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Engine idling becomes irregular
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Possible causes for failure:
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Circuit broken between sensor and ECU
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Damaged wire connector
Testing:
Before removing a knock sensor, ensure that the ignition is turned off.
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Firstly, check the resistance of the sensor using a multimeter; you can do this by connecting it to the sensor’s connectors. The resistance should be between 2,000 and 3,000 ohm. If this is not the case the sensor is probably faulty.
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If the correct resistance is present, check the electrical connectors associated to the knock sensor. If no voltage is present check all wiring to ensure that there is no damage to the circuitry.
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One last point to investigate is the torque at which the sensor has been fastened. This is critical to the part’s function and if tightened too much the knock sensor may not operate properly.
For the threaded type this should be between 20-25 ft-lbs with the bolted type around 15-20 ft-lbs.
Common Fault Codes
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P0325 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
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P0326 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
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P0327 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Low Input (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
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P0328 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit High Input (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
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P0329 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
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P0330 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2)
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P0331 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2)
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P0332 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input (Bank 2)
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P0333 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit High Input (Bank 2)
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P0334 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Intermittent (Bank 2)