i just had my knock sensor replaced and i was driving to warrensburg yesterday and my check engine light came on. i took it to advanced auto parts and had it diagnosed and it said that it was the knock sensor. is there another part of the sensor that may trip the code.

 

what exactly is a knock sensor supposed to do

 

KS is a ghost code, so it will not trip the CEL. I would reset ecu and drive again.
The KS will detect knock and if it does, timing will be reduced. So a bad KS will equal bad power and bad gas mileage.

 

Also, need to add that KNOCK will trip the KS code! Running 87 on a summer day for example.

To the OP, if your CEL came on, there was another code that they missed.

 

krrz350,

Do you know if KS respond to a certain frequency or to any vibration? I have a clutch shudder when engaging 1st gear. Could that throw a KS code?

 

It would not throw the code. If it is functioning but "fooled" into thinking it hears a knock, it adjusts timing to reduce pre-detonation (or knock)....which is what it is designed to do.

 

Sorry to post in this way but have been a lurker here for quite some time but do not have rights to posting new threads. My knock sensor is fried. Bought a new one and tried a couple of times to get my hands in the crevice to unbolt the old and install the new. Unsuccessfully. Question: Can I unplug the old sensor and plug into the new sensor and just secure the new sensor somewhere on the engine? Will this fool the ECU and advance my timing. I have a code reader and it does show this code...other than that, the car runs great....125,000 miles. Thanks...rlw

 

no. it has to be sitting on that bolt in order to make a complete circuit. you will have to remove the broken one and replace it.

best way to get at that is ask somone with small hands (girlfriend, child, etc.)
to reach down in there and unbolt it.

here is the thread that helped me

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=545100