I'm pulling the 0304 code so I bought a brand new knock sensor and don't really have the time to install it myself, so I shopped around for some install prices. I call one guy and he is like it is a six hour job and it will be $500!! Then another mechanic told me I'm wasting my money buying a new sensor just put 93octane gas and unplug the battery so the computer can reset itself and it will be fine. He also said it could be my o2sensor Now to my knowledge I know some guys on the org did it themselves but I don't have the time, also I have the symptoms of a bad KS. It burns gas like hell and the power feels like crap! Could it be the o2 sensor? What is the average install price for a knock sensor, and how can you tell the ks is bad without pulling the 0304 code? Thanks

 

Really if you prepare right with the how to's and get the tools lined up the job will take you 15 min. no kidding, just make sure you have a very small handed person with some coordination.

 

those people are idiots. there is tons of info on knock sensors in the faq's, read up on how to test it.

as far as the install, it should take a mechanic who knows his a$s from his elbow no more than 30 mins tops. you could do it yourself if you get the right tools, but it can be difficult to get to cuz it's in such a small area. goodluck and don't pay out the as$

 

Hey dude, I'll do it for $350

 

don't ever go to that shop that told you $500, they prob think they have to remove the intake manifold, which yes is a long job, but is not needed
wake up 15 mins early this weekend, grab your little bro or sis, and have them help you. don't try it on a hot engine tho, you'll burn your hands on the manifold.
good luck, it took me about 10mins once i had the right wench.

 

Thanks for the info guys. How else would I know it is the ks sensor beside pulling the 0304 code. My car feels slow and I'm burning alot of gas

 

Those are the exact symptoms... its dead.

 

Better yet just reach in and disconnect it and mount the new one on top of the intake manifold. Leave the old one where it is!

You will get more advance and better mpg. You might get some knock if your engine isn't running clean or you run a lot of cheap gas.
Mine runs perfect on 87, 89, and 93 Octane with no knock.
My KS is mounted near the TB....cuz that's where I found a screw hole.

And you know what they say.... any screw hole is a good one!


GET YOUR MINDS OUTA THE GUTTER! For Shame!

 

wow I have never heard that before. That works better than the factory location? What about the performance, no hesitation or power loss.

 

interesting idea...

 

No hesitation or power loss. Smoother performance bc the timing isn't hunting and pecking all over the place.
It's not a real safe thing to do unless you really know your Max and have done everything else to make sure you don't get pre-ignition.
Mine has 147k on it and I'm constantly tweaking it. It works great where it is.
Actually, that far away from the cylinder walls I doubt it actually does anything at all. Which works for me!

 

I've heard you can also connect some kind of fuse to the end of the cable where the KS goes to trick it into thinking the sensor is there. You guys heard of that?

 

A mechanic that wants to charge you 500 bucks to replace a knock sensor is what we call a rip off. I mean who the hell would ever charge that much? I mean mechanics like that should just lose their license to work on cars. I tell you now.. DOnt ever take your car to that guy again because he obviously doesnt know what hes doing if he wants to charge you 500.

Proph

 

I've read that too. It's a resistor equal to the value of KS. I think it's 150k ohm...
but don't quote me!

 

You might want to try telling a mechanic about doing it without taking off the manifold, if you don't have the time. Maybe they'll be cooperative and learn something. You should only do what maximomo is suggesting if you want to and feel that you can be a "human knock sensor." And PharoNDmist I'll drive out to you and do it for $250 if you want? Seriously though, it doesn't take that long, just make sure you or somebody else can fit their hand in there before you get started.

*edit* Read these http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/507, http://www.skippynet.com/maxima/knocksensor.htm.

 

Hey,

I've got similar symptoms to Pharoh, but I never got an 0304. In fact, there were no codes flashing in the ECU. Of course the dealer told me I need a new KS and O2. They want $212 just for the KS. Yeah I know, $90 on eBay. If it has cracks, should I assume it's failing? If not, what else should I be looking for?

 

You don't have the code or you don't have a CEL? The knock sensor won't turn on the light

 

I'm not getting the code. The CEL is not on. I am getting service engine soon.

 

I'm going to try doing it myself and see what happens. "I can do it I have the power of the org. behind me"

 

Just in case you havent noticed...500 bucks is a ripoff

 

Good luck man. Let us know how you make out.

 

PharoND....let me know what happens cause i just started gettin the 0304 and I just bought a knock sensor...as soon as I get it imma try and install it....is it somehwere else on a 99 MAX because I can't seem to find it.

 

Would loss in power and definitely hesitation from like 2500-4000 be signs of a going KS, my car hasn't been pulling like it usually does lately and you can feel it "missing". Like when i floor it it feels like its choking and definitely not making the power it should.

 

500 bucks, for what to what I did, Walk out check ecu- 2 min, 03-04 say **** a few times- Get on ebay order up a knock sensor- 3min, Recive knock sensor walk out pop hood, see that I need flex set- 5 min, Take flex set bust bolt loose, change ks and tourque down 10 min. And I have big hands. Yes lady's it true jk. So for a total cost of 20 min, 90 dollars I did the exact same thing they wanted 500 hundred for that's insane. And this was my first time doing it. It actualy took me longer to install my ebay midpipe intake with jwt pop charger than it did to do knock sensor. rip off mechanics get every day

 

All of you guys who say it is so easy, fail to see that PharoNDmist has a 99 Max. What if it is a Cali spec? No one has answered the great mystery on how to get past that swirl valve with out removing the intake manifold. This question has been put on the board over the past few months and still no answer.
What would be fair price to change the KS by removing the intake manifold?

A bad O2 sensor will also give you bad gas mileage.

 

Yea that is a good question Pearl99GXE. Do we have different locations for the KS on 99 max's???

 

Ok. I tried installing the KS about 20min ago and it almost impossible to get pass the swirl valve on my car. It blocks the way of my hands trying to fit down there.

 

Chirp Chirp.......

 

Drive up to where i live ill do it for $50 smackers

 

its not that easy on a 99 believe me i tried. the swirl vales are in the way as well as a bunch of other stuff. i couldn't even see my knock sensor in there. but then again my mechanic only charged me $68 to do it. which seems fair to me. just shop aound for a quote from a decent mechanic that you know. its not more than an hour of labor for a do it yourselfer, and we don't even have access to all the tools mechanics have. anything more than an hour labor is ripping you off

 

was yours a cali spec car??? i have the same problem mine is cali spec and its impossible to even see the knock sensor.... if i could get someone to do it for 60 or 70 bucks id be stupid not to! is it possible for a do it yourselfer to do the intake manifold method or is that something i do not want to try to conquer. Thanks for any advice... as for the guy from amsterdam, ill drive over there if u will do it for 50 bucks, but keep in mind i have a 99 cali spec with the swish valve in the way.

CUSEMAX

 

I have no Idea of what valve you are talking about, but can you remove it? or push to the side?

also, how tight should the knock sensor be? (ft/lbs)

 

Update: I took my car to Jeff @ maximumtunning, and he did it in 10mins and charged me $20. Thats a Hell of alot better than b4. I'd recommend anyone to go to him for service, he's a cool dude. Guinader, only the cali-specs(99-01) have the pain in the @ss swirl valve.