99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

I have the KS code (0325) for the last month now and surprisingly i still get 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. I bought a new KS and I am wondering if its worth it to change the KS alone.

I am also considering changing the harness and the two wires if I change the KS. The part is $18.95 at the dealer...so it may be worth it to have that piece of mind.

I currently have no knocking/pinging or anything from idle to WOT it runs like a champ. I am left confused....

The car passed emissions in January, and I first read this code in early March. I know they hook up the car to an OBD-II scanner and if there are any codes, the car will not pass emissions. Whats the story?

jxkim

iTrader: (18)

when the code is there your ECU runs in a safe timing table. so just because your KS is bad it doesnt mean your engine will start knocking. the whole purpose is that to prevent any knock. so your engine runs that safe table which also causes you to run a bit rich.

i suggest you spend the little extra buying the harness and replace the KS. your engine will go back to the normal timing and not run as rich. you will also see a better performance increase

sky jumper

nissan does not use the KS as an emissions control device. most emissions test centers know this, and will pass the car even with the KS code. KS is only there for protection, not real time ignition optimization.

http://www.gatewaycleanair.com/mechanic/air6_3/dtr.htm

headhunt3r

My only suggestion is to decide by considering your low end power. If you are happy with the current performance of your car, especially your lower RPM pull... and since you're already satisfied with your mileage, then you're fine. On the other hand, if you feel your car doesn't pull very hard at all... get left behind at stop lines by civics... then your KS might contribute to it. That was definitely the case for me, so that's why I got mine changed... and mine was physically cracked.

From overseeing this forum for the last month or so I'd say that the KS is a common problem for the 4th gen, so you might as well go out and change it.

As for the wire, if 20 dollars or so can buy you peace of mind, then I'd say it's worth it

Happy thinking.

NCSUpilot

I recently replaced mine and did not see that much of a performance increase. Sure it did a little, but the money and time to replace...I don't necessarily know if was worth it. I did not see an increase in MPG, as some have claimed. More than anything, it just bugged me to have CEL on and know that something is busted, that was my primary motivation for changing it.

udienow

iTrader: (15)

if you already got the ks u might as well go ahead and get the harness too and replace it all.

t65k3

iTrader: (3)

I got two codes from ECU, KS and left O2, last month, after I took it for a ride of 700 miles with an highway average of 85mph. My friend really hit the gas of my car really hard while I'd never do that. The warning light came on about 500 miles. I was running the shell's best gas (I was told it would clean the gas line and other stuff). With the combination of the gas and unusual high speed, I thought that warning lights could mean the car doesn't like it. So I reset it and the light has not come on since.

Is this a right thing to do? I'd spend some money on the car if it's necessary.

Thanks......

Shoes

Did you mean 0304? I was about to say maybe you're lucky and it's not even the KS, but i tried looking it up and I don't think there is an 0325...

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

0325 is the code read from the OBD-II scanner. It is the same thing as the 0304 read from manually getting the codes from the ECU.

95bluse

iTrader: (1)

Bad knock sensor shouldn't trip the CEL.

Shoes

Ohh... duh

KRRZ350

iTrader: (29)

I voted to replace it, even though a lawyer might consider that a conflict of interest.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

Would you help me put it in? You are local and I could learn a thing or two about it. Its a 99 cali spec and I know you need to remove the swirl valve and all that great stuff...

NCSUpilot

That's Right...turns out the CEL was from O2 sensor, but when I pulled the codes it showed KS...

goldenadam81

iTrader: (1)

I wouldnt worry about it unless it is affecting drivability.

motocross416

iTrader: (6)

replace it, 20mpg in teh city is low, its not even that hard to do, just take your time and deal with some bloody nuckles

KRRZ350

iTrader: (29)

yeah I know we had talked about it not long ago, what the hell, even though it's a '99 cali if you make the 45 min. drive down to Middleboro this weekend I'll do it for free.

Cdg2125

iTrader: (7)

no it will not set off the light all the time but it can. And it will show as a code as well.

If you're worried about it replace it and the wire and not worry about it again.

sky jumper

KS by itself will never set the CEL. FSM is clear on this. this is also discussed in the previous link in this very thread.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

The EPA estimated our cars 21/27 on the window sticker, and I would say that for a 8 year old car getting 19-20 mpg in the city with a few WOT runs occasionally isnt too bad. But I think I will stop in the dealer and get the part just to have piece of mind and replaced the KS hopefully this weekend. Thanks for all your opinions....let them keep coming in too.

andrei3333

Umm its more like this:

5-speed manual: 22/27
4-speed automatic: 21/28

96max5spd420

Yo Man Dont Bother W/ It Man Because It Doesnt Matter It Comes Up On The Comp Yes But I Live In Mass And Our Emissions Is Real Strick But That Dont Fail When I Do Stickers On Cars Ive Seen Like 3/4 Of Our Years So Dont Worry About Ti Everyone Makes A Big Deal Man If U Know NIssan U Know That Dont Matta Man .........

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

Haha its alright I already bought the sensor ($55) and the wiring harness ($17). I will be putting it in tomorrow with member KRRZ350 and hopefully it will settle it.

Dont flame me for asking this, but my car has been run on 87 octance since the day I got it and I have no ping/knocks ect. Should I switch to 93/94 now or just stay at 87, what the car is used to?

motocross416

iTrader: (6)

premium is recommended but it won't hurt your car to run 87

2da mizzax

iTrader: (4)

Hey Zues Chris Toes.

wildwesbmw

I've also run 87 octane in mine. typically get 26 on the highway going 80mph to 85mph

KRRZ350

iTrader: (29)

FSM for the record.....

"Use premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91, if premium unleaded gasoline is not available, regular unleaded gasoline with a rating of at least 87 can be used. However, for maximum vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline is recommended."

"The basic ignition timing is programmed within the anti-knocking zone, if recommended fuel is used under dry conditions the retard system does not operate under normal driving conditions."

BK Turbo Max

I voted to just change the sensor. Report back on your findings dude.

willard00

iTrader: (1)

if you get a code, theres obviously something wrong. the ECU doesnt just throw codes at will. it senses a problem, then gives you a code. so replace the KS.

99BlackMaxMS

iTrader: (85)

Yeah I was planning on replacing it with KRRZ350 last weekend however certain things did not work out and we couldnt do it. I hope to get it done in the next few weeks.

XJinCT

iTrader: (3)

we have a winner

maxima92se

iTrader: (7)

Nah the car will still pass even with the knock sensor code. They are only checking for emmsions an what not. I have the print out sheet from my last inspection and its kinda funny that the knock sensor had a nice big fail and he told me that it ocly retards the timing to avoid knocking.

Polarisdb

Wow, I'm close by in Freetown. Where were you last summer when I had to replace the knock sensor in my 99 cali spec?

NismoMaxman2

iTrader: (2)

where did you get the knock sensor for $55 ??? cause I need a new one big time...

midnight0045

iTrader: (12)

ebay... $64 shipped....

m00njal

are the ebay knock sensors reliable? i love ebay and all and bought some other maxima parts for my 4th gen, but in this case wouldnt OEM nissan be better? correct me if im wrong, im not too sure anyways. I just figure, $200 from my dealer, $130 ish online for OEM nissan, and $62 on ebay....

anyone have opinions on this? car has 154K on my 98 se, though I have no codes my MPG sucks and accleration from 2-3.5k is awful, I lost (left 1.5 cars behind easily) to an acura legend '91 with 215k the other day, though I guess that might be normal?

Thanks everyone

NismoMaxman2

iTrader: (2)

Yup the whole Ebay vs OEM Nissan... is something that would concern me too... ugh... thats sucks courtesynissan.com sells it for like $159 mmmmmm

lets see what I can I possibly buy around that price range give or take $50???

y-pipe
Undrive Pulley
Place Racing Intake
00VI (ok maybe a bit more on this one)

but you get my idea right.... ugh... its essential to my car isnt it???. I'm gonna have to still get it.... CRAP

Raul

andrei3333

what about the resistor mod, i think its a 470 ohm resistor u just attach to the KS connector and away u go, u become the real life KS, i want to try this just to see if i can tell the difference cause i have the 0304 right now.

sky jumper

eBay KS is the exact same part. I forget who makes these things for Nissan, but the same part is used in about 20 different vehicles, some domestics, and is even private labeled. the only concern is that a KS is very fragile. if dropped it will break. make sure the eBayer handles with care and will take returns if it's DOA.

m00njal

cool, ill be ordering as soon as i confirm that my car is in need of one