Ok, so I recently replaced the MAF sensor to fix stalling problems and afterwards I still noticed some loss in power and uneven acceleration so a week later I replaced the knock sensor. My car is now accelerating really good and evenly.

The problem is that immediately after replacing the knock sensor, I noticed my car idles lower than it used to (it's currently around 550 or so after it's warmed up most of the time, even with the AC on). As a side note, when I shift into neutral rolling up to a red light or something, the tachometer kind of dips a little under 550 after falling from higher rpms and then quickly returns to 550 or so. It doesn't feel like it's going to stall or anything though.

Another thing I noticed that was weird is that when using the clutch only to roll forward, like up my driveway, for instance, it used to have plenty of power to make it up without stepping on the gas. Since replacing the knock sensor, it feels like it's about to stall going up the driveway and I have to give it some gas to make it up. It also has noticeably less power on flat ground but especially inclines. I'm assuming this is a result of the lower idle?

Anyone have any ideas? Would under or over tightening the knock sensor cause anything like this?

It's a 1995 5-speed SE by the way.

 

did you **** with your idle screw when you were having your problems before the knock sensor install?

 

No, idle wasn't an issue before and I actually didn't even know where it was until I started researching my problem. I'm assuming I shouldn't even mess with that if it was ok before but I don't really know.

 

nah dont touch that.

how did you replace your knock sensor? what procedure did you use?

 

I followed the how-to guide on here and a Youtube video. Just used a regular wrench plus a screw driver for leverage. Swapped it out and firmly tightened it but was careful not to tighten with too much force.

 

so you removed nothing in order to replace the knock sensor?

how long have you been driving it since you replaced both parts

 

Clean the throttle body and IACV.

 

was it oe nissan knock snesor or aftermarket?

 

Yeah, I didn't remove anything to get to the sensor, sliced my hand up real good I replaced the knock sensor a couple of days ago. I replaced the MAF sensor probably a little over a week and a half ago.

I should probably do this anyways, it just struck me strange that the symptoms seemed like a direct result of changing the knock sensor.

Aftermarket.

 

Sounds like you car is normal to me. I think you were idling too high.

 

Book says 625+/-50. 575 would be acceptable.

 

Hmm... well maybe this is normal then. My knock sensor has probably been bad for a LONG time, I may have forgotten what normal felt like.

 

maybe your aftermarket knock sensor is junk? have you checked your timing to see if it's at spec or retarded? if the timing is reteded because of bad ks, your power will be down.

 

i was thinking the same thing, but hes complaining about LESS power than before he changed the KS. which is normally the opposite of what happens.

 

Not sure how to check timing but the knock sensor is working I think. The car definitely has more power after the KS change, it's just when I'm using clutch only (giving no gas) to roll forward, reverse, or to not roll back on an incline, it doesn't feel the way it used to. . . I don't know how to describe it, it's like it has less snap to it.

 

a lot of people have the same feeling after getting their cars fixed. they got used to the problem and now just because things feel different, it feels like theres another problem. i guess let your car settle and see if it starts to feel normal again.

 

He's complaining about not being able to let the clutch out at idle. This is due to the lower idle speed.

 

thats not what im reading but okay. to the first part.

 

Really?

 

Ok, so the idle has still been a little jumpy so I just cleaned the throttle body. We'll see what happens, it was pretty dirty.

 

my bad i actually misread what you posted.