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Ignore or fix? EGR and Knock Sensor

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Old 02-08-2009, 03:25 PM
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Ignore or fix? EGR and Knock Sensor

Is there any harm in ignoring EGR and Knock Sensor codes?

Here's the story...My SES light was on for over a year. The code saidf something was wrong with my EGR valve. I just let it go for a while and during a very cold week here in NJ, my SES light went off and I was able to take my car to inspection and it passed. Just today, my SES light came back on with both the EGR valve code AND a knock sensor code. I'm strapped for cash and can't afford to fix it through the dealer.
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Old 02-08-2009, 03:27 PM
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welcome to my world my friend......
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Old 02-08-2009, 03:36 PM
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No real harm, no.
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Old 02-08-2009, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by fishforlife2007
welcome to my world my friend......
Same here. It's probably been over a year I've had those codes. No problems.
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Old 02-08-2009, 05:53 PM
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my check engine light has been on for so long my bubl burnt out, seriously it did
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Old 02-08-2009, 07:16 PM
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the EGR valve code AND a knock sensor code. I'm strapped for cash and can't afford to fix it through the dealer.[/QUOTE]

I don't know about the EGR, but the knock sensor will knock lotsa mpgs off. It won't hurt anything else, as long as you run Premium gas. If you use cheap gas, you'll get knocks when you punch out, which [I]could[I] damage the engine.
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Old 02-08-2009, 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Fasteddie01
If you use cheap gas, you'll get knocks when you punch out, which [I]could[I] damage the engine.
Not very likely.
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Old 02-08-2009, 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by pmohr
Not very likely.
's right, but depends on the driving. I just did the resistor KS bypass, and don't use cheap gas. been OK for over a year.
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Old 02-08-2009, 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Fasteddie01
's right, but depends on the driving. I just did the resistor KS bypass, and don't use cheap gas. been OK for over a year.
Doesn't even really depend on the driving, either.

With the P0325, it won't advance the timing for more power. You'll be at a 'safe' level.

Even with the KS bypassed, I've never once had knock with low octane.
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Old 02-08-2009, 09:15 PM
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Get the EGR fixed when you can but otherwise P0325 knock sensor won't set a check engine light thus won't cause you to fail emissions either. The EGR will set the light and will cause a failed smog test.
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Old 02-08-2009, 09:43 PM
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knock sensor is a common problem for gen4 maximas, fix egr, most people dont bother with knock sensor. i did cuz i hate to see the check engine light

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Old 02-08-2009, 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by JAMAICANLOVRBOY
knock sensor is a common problem for gen4 maximas, fix egr, most people dont bother with knock sensor. i did cuz i hate to see the check engine light

Why did you post that random picture?

If you want to show a pic every time you post, just use your sig like everyone else.

And the KS will not light the CEL.
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Old 02-08-2009, 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by pmohr
And the KS will not light the CEL.
Thats what I said, i don't know why the other poster said he changed his for a SES light. Its very tought trying to sell a $200 knock sensor to most customers since they don't actually see a check engine light. I usually gotta tell em "for improved performace and fuel economy, we strongly recommend replacing your detonation sensor, this sensor allows the ignition timing to advance which equals to more performance/economy but if it goes bad then those are greatly reduced". Most people are like whatever, i don't feel anything.
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Old 02-08-2009, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by turbizzy
Thats what I said, i don't know why the other poster said he changed his for a SES light. Its very tought trying to sell a $200 knock sensor to most customers since they don't actually see a check engine light. I usually gotta tell em "for improved performace and fuel economy, we strongly recommend replacing your detonation sensor, this sensor allows the ignition timing to advance which equals to more performance/economy but if it goes bad then those are greatly reduced". Most people are like whatever, i don't feel anything.
Yea, I can only imagine trying to sell the KS work (especially at book time, and at retail KS price). Most people probably think you're just trying to rip them off.
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Old 02-08-2009, 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by pmohr
Yea, I can only imagine trying to sell the KS work (especially at book time, and at retail KS price). Most people probably think you're just trying to rip them off.
Well I prob shouldn't be saying this but since i work in Berkeley and the majority of customers are all about being green and clean (tree huggers) most do go for it. All you gotta do is tell them they're not burning the fuel as efficient as they could be thus increasing a little emissions. But we usually cut them a break and only charge like an hour and sneak the sensor out. Sometimes ill throw one in on a major service or something, just charge em like an extra half hour if they do spark plugs and maybe a combustion chamber cleaning (seafoam).
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Old 02-08-2009, 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by paul2112
Is there any harm in ignoring EGR and Knock Sensor codes?

Here's the story...My SES light was on for over a year. The code saidf something was wrong with my EGR valve. I just let it go for a while and during a very cold week here in NJ, my SES light went off and I was able to take my car to inspection and it passed. Just today, my SES light came back on with both the EGR valve code AND a knock sensor code. I'm strapped for cash and can't afford to fix it through the dealer.
You don't got $50 for a KS? That's how much I paid on ebay. There are some cheap ones for like $30 shipped, but I went with OEM for a bit more for piece of mind. It came with dealer packaging and it works great for me. I installed it within an hr or so cause I needed to run to the part store to get tools I didn't have to make it easier.

As for EGR I have no clue. Never messed with it, but I highly recommend you replace your KS asap for better performance and most importantly better mpg.

Originally Posted by pmohr
Why did you post that random picture?

If you want to show a pic every time you post, just use your sig like everyone else.
HAHAHA! I thought I was crazy or something, but I guess your right he does post random pics and its just weird, but funny lol.
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Old 02-09-2009, 12:24 PM
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Thanks for all of your responses. I'm gonna keep my eye on my fuel mileage and take it from there. Like I said before it was weird, me SES light was on for a year and then one frigid week it went off and I was able to get through inspection. I don't have to go back until 2011 so I'm good with that.
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Old 02-09-2009, 01:32 PM
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honestly if ur **** about gas mileage like i am....change the knock sensor....with mixed driving i used to get 24-26mgs....with the knock code i went down to 18-19...and a full tank doesnt last me a week anymore....look at it this way for 50 bucks or so its almost (mind the almost) like getting an "awesome-kick-in-the-pants-my-car-feels-like-its-on-caffein" feeling....its like night and day....i would look at it as a cheap and cost effective power adder lol
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Old 02-10-2009, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by ruckus1027
honestly if ur **** about gas mileage like i am....change the knock sensor....with mixed driving i used to get 24-26mgs....with the knock code i went down to 18-19...and a full tank doesnt last me a week anymore....look at it this way for 50 bucks or so its almost (mind the almost) like getting an "awesome-kick-in-the-pants-my-car-feels-like-its-on-caffein" feeling....its like night and day....i would look at it as a cheap and cost effective power adder lol
Yea when you accelerate from 1st or 2nd gear and don't feel and hear your car's wheels are spinning you know you needa change your KS. Once you change that you will kick yourself for not changing it sooner. For a cheap fix like this you should change it ASAP!!! I'm glad I did. Then again to each their own.
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Old 02-10-2009, 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by petro2342
Yea when you accelerate from 1st or 2nd gear and don't feel and hear your car's wheels are spinning you know you needa change your KS.
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Old 02-10-2009, 01:23 PM
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The knock sensor wont cause the CEL to come on, but it does affect the gas mileage. I find a front O2 sensor affects the gas mileage more though.
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Old 02-17-2009, 10:36 AM
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Yea I've been driving with a faulty knock sensor for years now, and still no problems...Just worry about proper maintenance of your max and that's it...tune up, and no cheap gas etc...
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Old 02-17-2009, 07:48 PM
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I found the KS from the scanner (no CEL), and replaced it with one from eBay ($50). This was about a year ago, and so far so good. The mileage improved from 18 mpg to 23 , that alone probably paid off by itself when the gas was $4/gal.
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Old 02-17-2009, 07:58 PM
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My KS has been out for over 4yrs. and EGR code for over 2 and I have not noticed any problems. I'll still get 21-25mpg with daily driving. It wont hurt your engine
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Old 02-18-2009, 05:24 AM
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Originally Posted by maxfever1987
my check engine light has been on for so long my bubl burnt out, seriously it did
doubt you had much luck geting it inspected. it wont pass with c/e light on. least not here in pa..
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Old 02-18-2009, 08:55 AM
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I had noticeable increase in performance, and no more surging acceleration after replacing my ks.
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Old 02-19-2009, 06:46 AM
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fix the knock sensor u could kill your motor with a bad knock sensor mine use to knock hard when i jam the gas the sensor is about 150$ could get it on ebay for about 40$
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Old 02-19-2009, 07:16 AM
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My KS went because of my coil and after replacing the coil I am getting 18mpg so I can't wait to change the KS. When I had the bad coil in there and cheap gas it would run like crap. Better on premium so that's all I run in there from now on. If I'm going to be spending money on good oil and filters, plugs etc. then I figured I should do the same with gas.
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Old 02-19-2009, 11:37 AM
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i have a stock maxima and always fill up with premium so i just put a resistor in the KS and no more code

from what i've read it's ok to do if you're stock, else it's not very safe as someone already said having a KS can save your engine.
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Old 02-19-2009, 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by fishforlife2007
welcome to my world my friend......
correction

Welcome to everyone's world. Owning a Maxima with a Po325 and po400.
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Old 02-19-2009, 05:25 PM
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When my coil crapped out it was pretty bad so I don't know if I'd want to not have a working KS.

Originally Posted by Empyrials
i have a stock maxima and always fill up with premium so i just put a resistor in the KS and no more code

from what i've read it's ok to do if you're stock, else it's not very safe as someone already said having a KS can save your engine.
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Old 02-21-2009, 05:43 AM
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Originally Posted by WhiteMaxima9600
My KS has been out for over 4yrs. and EGR code for over 2 and I have not noticed any problems. I'll still get 21-25mpg with daily driving. It wont hurt your engine
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Old 05-15-2010, 02:18 PM
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[quote=petro2342;6861304]You don't got $50 for a KS? That's how much I paid on ebay. There are some cheap ones for like $30 shipped, but I went with OEM for a bit more for piece of mind. It came with dealer packaging and it works great for me. I installed it within an hr or so cause I needed to run to the part store to get tools I didn't have to make it easier.

Knock Sensor $50 on Ebay or you can pay about $130 at Auto Zone...
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Old 05-16-2010, 08:33 PM
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It's amusing to read that people can go years with a CEL, yet regularly do performance upgrades.
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Old 05-16-2010, 10:07 PM
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It's all in your priorities.
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Old 05-18-2010, 12:59 PM
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knock sensor is $12 on ebay
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Old 05-19-2010, 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by eddie982
It's amusing to read that people can go years with a CEL, yet regularly do performance upgrades.
+1

I cant stand seeing the CEL on.
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Old 06-01-2010, 10:26 PM
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My knock sensor went bad awhile ago and have no plans on fixing it soon
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Old 06-01-2010, 11:17 PM
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I used to always race a tundra on to the freeway after our classes ended with my stock 99 i30. I lost 100% of the time. I had an egr and Knock sensor code that I always put off. Repaired (Cleaned) the egr to get rid of the light and still lost a few more times. Got kragen to price match autozone's $75 to their $200 KS and installed it. The next few races I tied but lost in the game of chicken due to the lanes joining.

That alone tells me that the ks affects the performance.
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Old 06-01-2010, 11:28 PM
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To be honest the EGR only cools the cylinders by injecting exhaust gas (Which does nothing) back into the cylinder at specific RPMs and whatnot and so, if it gets stuck OPEN then that is a huge problem and exhaust gas is entering your cylinders all the time, but if it gets stuck closed then to be honest the only thing that can go wrong is your NOx emission will go up because combustion temps are going up, and pre-detonation which is caused by excessively high combustion temps.

EGR is a emissions thing and doesn't do anything for performance.

Or so I've heard.
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