I just replaced the knock sensor on my 2002 Maxima SE with 112,000 miles. Unplug the negative cable of the battery, unplug the MAF sensor connector, remove the airbox. Its location, while in driver side fender look straight below the intake manifold, between the front and rear cylinder.

 

Same as the 4th gen, but knock sensor valley is much easier to access in the 5.5 gen. You can literally see light at the other end, vs the A32.

 

Thanks for that instruction. Will ne replacing mine this weekend. Quick question, when working with any sensor, should I always disconnect the battery?

 

OP thinks so.
I don't, but

 

Yeah, I did it when I cleaned my MAF, but was just wondering if I should for any sensor I would work on. (ie: O2, knock, cam position, etc.)

 

I never do, but it's probably good practice.

 

Did the car perform any better with the new sensor?

 

Yes, I have noticed a quick response in the throttle. and drive smoother that before. During WOT the engine has no lag and no vibration compare before with the old knock sensor. OEM knock sensor is expensive $218.00. Be careful of disconnecting the old sensor, the connector inside has a white plastic spacer, if the old knock sensor is removed, this white plastic might come out from the connector.

 

Cool, good to know. I am guessing it is one simple socket like a 10mm or something to get at it.

 

OP why did you replace? Was it preventative maintenance or were you having problems?

 

The OEM is $183 at Courtesy, little better than 218$.

 

I have 3 cars and none have a functioning KS lol. The E34 doesn't even come with one!

/rambling

 

Preventive maintenance since I bought the car with 104,000 miles, I double check the receipt at courtesyparts , yeah its $188.90 (22060-2Y000). Knock sensor failure will not trigger SES light.

 

That's real interesting that a failed knock sensor won't throw a code.
Is there a way to test these things?
Anyone else have this experience when replacing a knock sensor? and why did you replace it in the first place?

 

Not sure if the above statement is true... a friend of mine had an Xterra I believe it was a 2000 or 2001 and it had a code for a bad sensor

 

(Not sure if the above statement is true... a friend of mine had an Xterra I believe it was a 2000 or 2001 and it had a code for a bad sensor)
I believe you are wrong, kindly read this
The knock sensor is attached to the cylinder block. It senses
engine knocking using a piezoelectric element. A knocking vibration
from the cylinder block is sensed as vibrational pressure. This
pressure is converted into a voltage signal and sent to the ECM.
Freeze frame data will not be stored in the ECM for the knock
sensor. The MIL will not light for knock sensor malfunction.
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Maxima/2002/EC.pdf

My vehicle have a high mileage when I bought it, and part of maintenance and upon reading this to Nissan Manufacturers Repair Manual.

 

The knock sensor has a code, P0325. But it does not cause the SES light to come on. If the plastic shell on the knock sensor is cracked, replace the sensor. Otherwise, there is nothing else that can fail.

 

is oem replacement required for the knock sensor on 5.5 gen? Or would an ebay aftermarket work?

 

I replaced mine with aftermarket and have had no codes or issues to speak of. Infact, I believe I got it off of ebay. Though, for other, more critical sensors... buy oem factory parts.

 

Do u have pictures for location of the knock sensor, cause i couldnt find it even though i took off the airbox, btw its for a 2003 I35?

 

http://engine-codes.com/uploads/images/2910.gif


I refer to it as knock sensor valley. far more accessible in the 02/3 than the 95-01.

 

great picture of the location, im gonna replace mine as well. I remember before i replaced the knock sensor on my 4th gen. it felt like it lost a few horsepower, when i replaced it, it came back to life!lol

Do you remember the part number from ebay? or the price you paid for yours.

 

Must you remove the manifold of the engine to see the location of the knock sensor?

 

No.

 

I was just about to ask this same question about if a bad sensor will throw a code on the 5.5. gen.

 

see post #17

 

gotcha,

 

Hi,i hav a maxima 2003 with 123000 miles and it knocks around 1700-2000 rpm,I don't have Cel,does ur car knock?did u replaced it urself?do i hav to remove the lower intake manifold? Cause i can see it on the driver side front panel.

 

what type of gas are you using, you may need to use only premium gas. The sensor is easy to get to. Its 1 12mm bolt. I always remove the entire air duct assembly to get better access to it and more room to work with. No you dont have to remove the intake manifold, and remember if you are going to replace it do it while the car is cold.

 

Believe me i use 93 gaz always sonce i own the car,spark plug change to ngk laser platinum according to the manual,i even did carbon deposit seafom thing,clean mass air flow sensor,i turned the internet upside down for any forum to see if somebody hav success with ping after knock sensor replacement.u still hav urs?

 

I dont really have it as much as i used to. And it usually happens on a really hot day. But I just changed mine yesterday and have not heard any as of yet.

 

How did u remove ur knock sensor?

 

Still hav ur maxima?

 

Did ur maxima knocked before the knock sensor replacement?did it fix it?

 

Hey there, actually, my Max didn't knock at all. Out of nowhere I got a code and when I looked it up, it was the knock sensor.

Haven't had an issue since I replaced it.

 

1 12mm bolt and remove the air intake duct to give u more room

 

Interesting, I'd better go take a look at my sensor

 

I'm seeing dozens of aftermarket KS's on the market.
It's a crystal inside and it sends a voltage so what's the best way to test the thing and see if it's sending the 2.5V at idle?
​​​​​I used an aftermarket I got online and now wondering if I'm even getting any voltage.

 

Get a USB PC oscilloscope? They can be had for under $50 on the ebay and even cheaper on ali express.

 

does it have to be connected to the ECU?
If you unplug it by the Fpr and clip on there will you still get the 2v?