I Tested My Knock Sensor !!!
I was curious about my knock sensor and didn't like the look of the "goo" dripping from it.
After reading about the knock sensor and it's parameters, I was concerned that my knock sensor may not be sending data and that my ECU may not recognize it.
So I decided to try to "fool" my ECU by replacing the knock sensor with a 560 kohm resistor to see what would happen.
I went for a drive and while watching my UltraGauge for engine load, temperature and the five second rule, my CEL did go off (code 0325),... proving that my ECU does indeed monitor for actual data.
I didn't notice any "pinging" that I would expect even during the first 4 seconds before the ECU reduced the timing advance because of the code. I'm guessing that may be because my engine is in great shape with no carbon buildup (regular seafoam treatments), no oil burning and I passed emissions with almost NO measurable pollutants (1 or 2% of what is allowable)
I then pulled out my resistor and got the same result.
HOWEVER,... I am still concerned about the goo dripping from my knock sensor. I'm thinking that the "goo" is the suspension that the accelerometer floats in (if it's not an "air suspended" crystal) and if that is the case then the sensor may be giving reduced signals due to the lack of free movement within the sensor.
Our knock sensor only has one CEL code,... newer vehicles have many more.
P0325 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction (Bank I or Single Sensor)
P0326 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
P0327 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Low Input (Bank I or Single Sensor)
P0328 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit High Input (Bank I or Single Sensor)
P0329 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
P0330 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2)
P0331 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2)
P0332 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input (Bank 2)
P0333 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit High Input (Bank 2)
P0334 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Intermittent (Bank 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xI94ZDF54Y
My advice is that if you are experiencing any pinging,... definitely consider a new knock sensor. An old "gooey" sensor may be giving just enough signal to not set off the CEL but not enough to stop the pinging.
They aren't too much money so it might be worth "throwing money at" to find out if it stops your pinging.
I was curious about my knock sensor and didn't like the look of the "goo" dripping from it.
After reading about the knock sensor and it's parameters, I was concerned that my knock sensor may not be sending data and that my ECU may not recognize it.
So I decided to try to "fool" my ECU by replacing the knock sensor with a 560 kohm resistor to see what would happen.
I went for a drive and while watching my UltraGauge for engine load, temperature and the five second rule, my CEL did go off (code 0325),... proving that my ECU does indeed monitor for actual data.
I didn't notice any "pinging" that I would expect even during the first 4 seconds before the ECU reduced the timing advance because of the code. I'm guessing that may be because my engine is in great shape with no carbon buildup (regular seafoam treatments), no oil burning and I passed emissions with almost NO measurable pollutants (1 or 2% of what is allowable)
I then pulled out my resistor and got the same result.
HOWEVER,... I am still concerned about the goo dripping from my knock sensor. I'm thinking that the "goo" is the suspension that the accelerometer floats in (if it's not an "air suspended" crystal) and if that is the case then the sensor may be giving reduced signals due to the lack of free movement within the sensor.
Our knock sensor only has one CEL code,... newer vehicles have many more.
P0325 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction (Bank I or Single Sensor)
P0326 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
P0327 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Low Input (Bank I or Single Sensor)
P0328 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit High Input (Bank I or Single Sensor)
P0329 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
P0330 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2)
P0331 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2)
P0332 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input (Bank 2)
P0333 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit High Input (Bank 2)
P0334 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Intermittent (Bank 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xI94ZDF54Y
My advice is that if you are experiencing any pinging,... definitely consider a new knock sensor. An old "gooey" sensor may be giving just enough signal to not set off the CEL but not enough to stop the pinging.
They aren't too much money so it might be worth "throwing money at" to find out if it stops your pinging.
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