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Just changed my knock sensor...and i don't really feel that big of a difference..

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Old 12-17-2003, 06:59 PM
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Just changed my knock sensor...and i don't really feel that big of a difference..

I also reset the ECU , but still not a huge difference. I think it kinda got faster in the low end, but i think it is just my concious(sp?). Does the full power come in like 3 days? Thanks.
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Old 12-17-2003, 10:41 PM
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By ECU you mean the CEL?
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Old 12-17-2003, 11:12 PM
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Maybe it didn't need to be changed.
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Old 12-18-2003, 12:21 AM
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i've read a couple times that the computer needs a few days to recognize the new KS....or maybe im an idiot and made that up. im pretty sure ive seen that a few times before.
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Old 12-18-2003, 12:47 AM
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when you reset your ECU, your ECU goes back to its default setting. in order to gather your new setting on your car, it'll take some time.

if you just changed your knock sensor, under colder temperature, most likely you won't hear too much "knocking" when starting your car.

also observe your gas mileage. it should improve gradually within couple tanks. make sure use 91+ octane.

take notes and good luck
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Old 12-18-2003, 02:54 AM
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Originally Posted by happyricefob
when you reset your ECU, your ECU goes back to its default setting. in order to gather your new setting on your car, it'll take some time.

if you just changed your knock sensor, under colder temperature, most likely you won't hear too much "knocking" when starting your car.

also observe your gas mileage. it should improve gradually within couple tanks. make sure use 91+ octane.

take notes and good luck
From everything I've read on the forum, to protect itself, if the KS is bad, the ECU assumes you are running 87 octane petrol. That means with a faulty KS, you cannot take advantage of 93 octane because even when you put it in the tank, the ECU retards and assumes you have 87. So to go from a bad KS to a good one, the maximum benefit would be like putting 87 vs. 93 in the tank, not much difference. I do believe any perceived benefit is imaginary.

I'm not sure why there is a belief that 93 gets better mileage, I've done around 30 highway with 87, so how much better are we talking about? I use 93 since on Tue. its only about 11 cents more than regular. But like I've said a million times before, if you like regular 87 and feel like putting it in your tank, it's no big deal, the owners manual says it can be used.
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Old 12-18-2003, 05:34 AM
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Like Frank says, for you to feel a difference you have to be using 93 octane fuel. Are you? If you're using 87 octane then you won't benefit from having a good knock sensor.

Also, the difference is going to be in low-mid range power at partial throttle acceleration. That is when the timing is advanced the most, and when you are most likely to have pinging in a NA car.
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Old 12-18-2003, 05:50 AM
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What year is your car?

Originally Posted by Frank Fontaine
From everything I've read on the forum, to protect itself, if the KS is bad, the ECU assumes you are running 87 octane petrol. That means with a faulty KS, you cannot take advantage of 93 octane because even when you put it in the tank, the ECU retards and assumes you have 87. So to go from a bad KS to a good one, the maximum benefit would be like putting 87 vs. 93 in the tank, not much difference. I do believe any perceived benefit is imaginary.

I'm not sure why there is a belief that 93 gets better mileage, I've done around 30 highway with 87, so how much better are we talking about? I use 93 since on Tue. its only about 11 cents more than regular. But like I've said a million times before, if you like regular 87 and feel like putting it in your tank, it's no big deal, the owners manual says it can be used.
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Old 12-18-2003, 06:09 AM
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I just changed my KS 3 days ago and started really feeling a difference yesterday. Car doesn't bog under 3K, it's much smoother in lower RPMs. I didn't really feel the power loss when the car was throwing 0304 code, but since I've changed it, it's a whole different car, so much smoother and definately increased power in lower RPM range.
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Old 12-18-2003, 11:15 AM
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I changed mine 2 weeks ago and I definetly felt a difference. I was at a red light and when it turned green I punched it and I broke the front tires loose. I've never been able to do that since the day I bought it. I'm fairly aggressive in my car whenever possible so it was noticeable to me. I did the multimeter test first and it fell within spec, so I just disconnected the KS wire and felt no difference telling me that it was a faulty KS. I'ts like having a whole new car, or to spec anyways.
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Old 12-18-2003, 11:25 AM
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i changed mine after i had the check engine light come on referring to the sensor going bad.

I felt it run smoother after the replacement. Did you have a need to change it? perhaps the one you had worked fine...
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Old 12-18-2003, 03:45 PM
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The KS doesn't trigger the CEL. I did need one, because i always had the code, and i my low end sucked(it still kinda does ), and i got really bad milage. Someone said that the power showed up a few days later...i hope it will be the same for me, or i will be VERY dissapointed. By the way, i have a 95 SE, 99000 miles, and use the highest octane available in SoCal: 91
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Old 12-18-2003, 03:54 PM
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should be instant if you are using 93. Every time your car starts up the ecu "checks" each sensor. Like I said it SHOULD be instantaneous, but I've heard stories...
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