KS...Is it REALLY worth replacing???
09-16-2009, 10:04 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,066
KS...Is it REALLY worth replacing???
I've read tons and tons of threads about the infamous knock sensor here and really have only one simple question. Does it really make that much of a diff. in power to change it out?
My 96's KS went out yrs. ago and frankly i've just blew it off thinking that it was too hard to get to and really could'nt make that much diff. in hp. But lately i've ran across a few threads saying that it made a BIG diff. in the power etc. I'm just curious as to how much of a diff. it makes. You know how some people just change oil and maybe throw on a k&n filter and are like "my car runs sooo much better now". Mosty bs
Anyways, does our computers go into a fail safe mode with the sensor out? I have never heard my car pinging or knocking at all even with 87 octane. I'll leave it at that
My 96's KS went out yrs. ago and frankly i've just blew it off thinking that it was too hard to get to and really could'nt make that much diff. in hp. But lately i've ran across a few threads saying that it made a BIG diff. in the power etc. I'm just curious as to how much of a diff. it makes. You know how some people just change oil and maybe throw on a k&n filter and are like "my car runs sooo much better now". Mosty bs
Anyways, does our computers go into a fail safe mode with the sensor out? I have never heard my car pinging or knocking at all even with 87 octane. I'll leave it at that
09-16-2009, 10:34 PM
#2
I've read tons and tons of threads about the infamous knock sensor here and really have only one simple question. Does it really make that much of a diff. in power to change it out?
My 96's KS went out yrs. ago and frankly i've just blew it off thinking that it was too hard to get to and really could'nt make that much diff. in hp. But lately i've ran across a few threads saying that it made a BIG diff. in the power etc. I'm just curious as to how much of a diff. it makes. You know how some people just change oil and maybe throw on a k&n filter and are like "my car runs sooo much better now". Mosty bs
Anyways, does our computers go into a fail safe mode with the sensor out? I have never heard my car pinging or knocking at all even with 87 octane. I'll leave it at that
My 96's KS went out yrs. ago and frankly i've just blew it off thinking that it was too hard to get to and really could'nt make that much diff. in hp. But lately i've ran across a few threads saying that it made a BIG diff. in the power etc. I'm just curious as to how much of a diff. it makes. You know how some people just change oil and maybe throw on a k&n filter and are like "my car runs sooo much better now". Mosty bs
Anyways, does our computers go into a fail safe mode with the sensor out? I have never heard my car pinging or knocking at all even with 87 octane. I'll leave it at that
Yes its a huge difference. Its like you're driving a 92-96 Camry 2.2 liter I4 and then suddenly you replace the knock sensor and it feels like you get into a 1995-1999 Maxima and BAM its a huge difference
09-16-2009, 10:47 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,066
Are there any more supporters of this
09-16-2009, 10:59 PM
#4
I drove my buddies Maxima about a week ago and it was scarey slow. It drove like my parent's 97 Corolla. No ***** whatsoever. Plugged in my code reader and pulled P0325. So ya, makes a huge difference.
09-16-2009, 11:12 PM
#5
i commented before columbian max even but apparently it didnt post, Yes its worth it. IIRC the ECM retards your ignition timings to the safe tables to prevent knocking. Seriously, replace it and itll feel like you just added 30 HP, which is probably an accurate number even... just do it, itll ost you nothing in comparision to the amount of gas your probably wasteing. i bet you get like 18 to the gallon.. and jsut do the bloody fingers method, its not as bad as it sounds.
09-16-2009, 11:50 PM
#6
Replace it. My car had a bad KS when I bought it. I addressed the problem and it made a world of difference. I removed the KS with a long 1/4" extension and swivel. Took 5 minutes to remove including detaching the sub harness from its anchor points. I didnt replace it, although if I did, I would use the same method to reinstall.
09-17-2009, 09:48 AM
#9
Read this sticky. This should convince you.
http://forums.maxima.org/1732415-post27.html
It's easy on a 96, DO IT!!!
http://forums.maxima.org/1732415-post27.html
It's easy on a 96, DO IT!!!
09-17-2009, 10:50 AM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,066
Thanks wizard! That thread was very helpful. Iam pretty convinced to change it out now, is anyone had problems with the cheap fleabay sensors?? There on there for roughly 30-50bucks.
09-17-2009, 11:04 AM
#12
09-17-2009, 11:42 AM
#15
09-17-2009, 01:22 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,066
Yeah, sure does, my cel came on shortly after i bought my car, and I pulled the codes I got ks and o2. Fixed the o2 and it stayed off, some time later it came back on and I got ks and egr low flow code. So in short, the ks will store a code but usually doesn't light the cel.
09-17-2009, 05:59 PM
#17
Thanks for that link Wizard. My ECU doesn't throw any codes but my car exhibits the behavior described in the "Partially working knock sensor" - I'd floor it and it's a 50/50 of whether or not I get some good pull. I think I'll be doing mine soon! 134k miles and most-likely original sensor.
Last edited by ridinwitha35; 09-17-2009 at 06:08 PM.
09-17-2009, 08:26 PM
#18
i got an idea, how about noone posts in this thread including the OP until he replaces it, casue this thread is = FAIL. Hes got all the persuasion and information he needs now give him the time to get to it.
09-18-2009, 06:16 AM
#19
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 796
My KS is apparently bad in my 99se. Went to get it inspected and they told me the KS was a safety issue, which is BS if you ask me, plus obviously the CEL wasn't on. Anyway, whats the experiece with like the 40 dollars OEM ones from ebay? I noticed there are like 900 sellers for the item and I would rather avoid paying 190 dollars from the local nissan dealership for the part when I am about to sell the car anyway.
09-18-2009, 09:34 AM
#20
My KS is apparently bad in my 99se. Went to get it inspected and they told me the KS was a safety issue, which is BS if you ask me, plus obviously the CEL wasn't on. Anyway, whats the experiece with like the 40 dollars OEM ones from ebay? I noticed there are like 900 sellers for the item and I would rather avoid paying 190 dollars from the local nissan dealership for the part when I am about to sell the car anyway.
people have been having good luck w/ the ebay ones. Did you not read the posts above yours?
09-18-2009, 05:14 PM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,066
09-18-2009, 10:09 PM
#23
09-19-2009, 12:11 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lowell/Boston, MA
Posts: 1,613
hahah, I don't if it is THAT much of a difference. Not night and day by the least but def a difference and it should be done regardless not just for perfromence issues but the health of the car.
09-20-2009, 03:45 PM
#25
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 340
Yes There's a Difference
09-20-2009, 04:10 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 191
My local dealer told me they never recommend replacing the KS, but I did it anyway because the car wasn't running well. It stalled really easily with the bad one, and since I replaced it I've noticed about a 2 MPG average improvement. Replace it.
09-20-2009, 04:47 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 191
As another user previously noted, if your SES light is on (assuming that's what you mean by 'it still cuts on'), it's not your KS. Check for other codes.
09-20-2009, 04:58 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Lynchburg, VA
Posts: 8,210
09-21-2009, 07:37 AM
#34
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Western Mass
Posts: 17
Ebay for 28 bucks... I bought my 99 max 3 weeks ago and drove it home 600 miles and did not know anything about the KS and just assumend this was the power it had.. I then found this forum...I did the ECUu self test just for hahas and the KS code came up.... Got the ebay one and installed it yesterday............ and at the samee time did iridium plugs and other basic maintenance like egr/ TB cleaning etc
The difference can only be described as outrageaous.
BTW.. i looked through the how to's on the KS...looked fairly straightforward until I realized my max has california emissions so the KS was the most major PITA of a job I can recall in a loooooong time.
There are many more tubed, brackets and thingy's in the way...just an FYI.
A huge help is a long (2 ft) grabber tool.
The difference can only be described as outrageaous.
BTW.. i looked through the how to's on the KS...looked fairly straightforward until I realized my max has california emissions so the KS was the most major PITA of a job I can recall in a loooooong time.
There are many more tubed, brackets and thingy's in the way...just an FYI.
A huge help is a long (2 ft) grabber tool.
09-21-2009, 11:04 AM
#35
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,066
The only other code I get is egr insuff. or excessive flow, i forget the #. I just threw on another starter and started it one time. Let it sit a couple days and the dang battery went dead. I don't figure the egr is worth fixing, but the KS I figure i'll do. BTW, this ks is factory w/214k miles 
09-21-2009, 11:29 AM
#36
The only other code I get is egr insuff. or excessive flow, i forget the #. I just threw on another starter and started it one time. Let it sit a couple days and the dang battery went dead. I don't figure the egr is worth fixing, but the KS I figure i'll do. BTW, this ks is factory w/214k miles
09-21-2009, 11:17 PM
#37
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 1,066
09-22-2009, 12:59 AM
#38
Well... looks like I'm a victim AGAIN. I knew my car has been feeling "laggy" lately but I figured it was a coil due some slight vibration..very slight and most people would not be able to tell but I can tell when my car shakes a lil more than it does. Went to advance and got the following codes:
P0325 - Knock Sensor Bank 1
P0135 - O2 Heated blabla Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0150 - O2 Circuit Malfunction Bank 2 Sensor 1
P0155 - O2 Heated blabla Bank 2 Sensor 2
P1400 - Manufacture Code, I'm guessing its Evap canister?
I'm glad its a 95 and no emmissions but I really need to get this **** fixed cuz I'm only getting 18 ****in miles per galon at the moment and its horrible!
P0325 - Knock Sensor Bank 1
P0135 - O2 Heated blabla Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0150 - O2 Circuit Malfunction Bank 2 Sensor 1
P0155 - O2 Heated blabla Bank 2 Sensor 2
P1400 - Manufacture Code, I'm guessing its Evap canister?
I'm glad its a 95 and no emmissions but I really need to get this **** fixed cuz I'm only getting 18 ****in miles per galon at the moment and its horrible!
09-22-2009, 10:58 AM
#40
P1400 is your EGR solenoid valve. This thread might help, and more specifically post #5.
Must be fun with 5 codes at once - I hate it when I get 3 at once!
Must be fun with 5 codes at once - I hate it when I get 3 at once!
Is this 30-40 ohm with the car on or off?
I'm gonna go get a couple free spares from the JY