What does the Knock Sensor do? What are the Signs of Failure?

What is the Knock sensor? What is the Knock sensor and how does it work? What are the Knock Sensor malfunction symptoms

What is a Knock Sensitor? What is the mission?

The knock sensor is a device that detects vibrations or knocks which can cause damage to the engine. It acts as the ECU’s ears. It consists of a resistor and a piezoelectric sensor crystal. The engine vibrations cause the crystal to produce a tiny amount of voltage. The human ear can pick up some sounds but the knock sensor detects higher-frequency and less audible levels. These sounds can be between 6-8 kHz. When knocking is detected, the ECU sends a signal (ECU) to the engine computer. To correct the situation, the ECU delays the ignition timing.

Knock sensors protect engine parts from damage. Impacts can cause jolts which can destroy pistons.

The engine block, cylinder heads or intake manifold houses the knock sensor. It can detect vibrations and sounds from explosions in the engine more easily. Drivers may experience unusual sounds, loss of power, high fuel consumption and sudden acceleration if the sensor is damaged. This is all accompanied by a check engine lamp.

Knock Sensor Malfunction Symptoms

A faulty knock sensor is most noticeable when your vehicle is moving at high speeds and under load. You will quickly notice if something is not right if you are familiar with your vehicle. Sudden acceleration problems will occur, especially if you are driving on the highway. Your vehicle is not responding to your pedal as it should. The engine’s ignition timing is affected, and fuel consumption is increased. The engine’s octane limit, as well as the knock sensor data, determine how much power the vehicle loses. High compression capacities and flexible fuel engines have the greatest power losses. Once the sensor has been replaced, the vehicle will not accelerate to very high speeds. Because the engine warm-up allows it to emit high levels of emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency prohibits this. To ensure safety, acceleration is reduced.

If the engine computer detects knock sensor problems, it switches on the engine fault lamp to turn off the engine and enters safe operation mode by generating codes code P0325 / 0332.

• – An engine fault lamp illuminates, and an error code is displayed.
• Engine misfire
• Vibration while driving
• – The engine makes noises and knocks
• – Sudden accelerations can cause a sudden loss of engine power
• – High fuel consumption

A knock sensor that is not replaced within a reasonable time frame can cause engine damage, which could be permanent or costly.