4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

How long does a knock sensor typically last for you?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 16, 2018 | 01:57 PM
  #1  
maximaxi's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 371
How long does a knock sensor typically last for you?

Mine crapped out around 35k and 3 years. It was an OEM knock sensor, replaced with another OEM knock sensor. Car has 285k now.

Also, this
long flex ratchet long flex ratchet
helps a LOT with the removal and install. This particular one is a 6-point, and it worked ok, but a
12-point 12-point
would've probably been easier to get on and off the bolt.

But anyway, I just wanted to know if 30k was a typical service life for the knock sensor.

Last edited by maximaxi; Jun 16, 2018 at 01:59 PM.
Old Jun 16, 2018 | 07:07 PM
  #2  
Rit's Avatar
Rit
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 619
20 years, and 120K miles, and still going strong.
Old Jun 17, 2018 | 12:39 AM
  #3  
JvG's Avatar
JvG
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,974
From: Portland, Oregon
I had issues with this issue as well.

I replaced the fuse with a new one.

No more issues.

Seriously.

I had an oxidized fuse, and sanding it did not help.

Evedently the electrical resistance from the oxy sensor and the oxidation is high enough to set the cell.

So replace the fuse with a new one.

This could be a cheap fix. Worked for me!​​​​​
Old Jun 19, 2018 | 12:57 PM
  #4  
H_MAX's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2
which fuse are you talking about exactly? Mine's a California Car with the EGR so the only way to get to the knock sensor is to remove the UIM. Trying to avoid that if I can...
Old Jun 19, 2018 | 05:12 PM
  #5  
JvG's Avatar
JvG
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,974
From: Portland, Oregon
I wasn't paying attention.

Somehow I read oxy sensor.

My bad.

Regarding the knock sensor.

I bought one for 17 dollars through e bay.

It is still good 35k miles later so far.
Old Jun 19, 2018 | 08:07 PM
  #6  
CS_AR's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,037
From: Central AR
I think if a car passes through a dealership and the engine is washed down, the likelihood of the valley being partially filled with water will ruin a knock sensor. I just don't think they like to be submerged in water.
Old Jun 19, 2018 | 08:15 PM
  #7  
CS_AR's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,037
From: Central AR
On my last KS failure, I relocated it to the point on the UIM by the throttle body. I wanted to give it try at different location. Actually KS relocation this is a fairly popular Z-32 trick. Can you tell me where its located?

Old Jun 20, 2018 | 11:40 AM
  #8  
JvG's Avatar
JvG
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,974
From: Portland, Oregon
Mmm..... CS-AR attached the knock sensor just behind the throttle body.
Old Jun 20, 2018 | 12:30 PM
  #9  
CS_AR's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,037
From: Central AR
Its like one of those Nissan Frontier or 300zx insider tricks.. People sell kits to relocate the knock sensors.

http://gmaili.net/nissan-frontier-kn...ation-kit.html

Old Jun 21, 2018 | 08:35 AM
  #10  
BransAm's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 72
What does relocating this knock sensor do?
Old Jun 21, 2018 | 08:49 AM
  #11  
Violator's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 665
Originally Posted by BransAm
What does relocating this knock sensor do?
Make it easy to access if you ever have to replace it, easier than putting it back where it came from. The knock sensor is below the upper intake manifold and it's a PITA to get to, have to use special tools to reach it
Old Jun 21, 2018 | 09:26 AM
  #12  
BransAm's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 72
Originally Posted by Violator
Make it easy to access if you ever have to replace it, easier than putting it back where it came from. The knock sensor is below the upper intake manifold and it's a PITA to get to, have to use special tools to reach it
I replaced mine without using any special tools besides a ratchet and a extension. But i was wondering if relocating it gave some type of performance advantage over its original location. I remember the SpecV i used to have it was recommended to relocate the sensor for some kind of issue with those engines that was caused by a over active sensor or something like that. I forget its been so long ago.

Last edited by BransAm; Jun 21, 2018 at 10:04 AM.
Old Jun 21, 2018 | 11:26 AM
  #13  
JvG's Avatar
JvG
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,974
From: Portland, Oregon
I figure that the Nissan engineers put the sensor where they did for a goid reason.Relocating it most likely would result in a slight decress in performance, not an increase.

That said, if the new location is "good enough",
I would buy a new sensor and conector cable.
I would disconnect the existing cable, then abandon that cable and the existing sensor.

Much easier.
​​​​​
​​​​
Old Jun 22, 2018 | 12:50 PM
  #14  
H_MAX's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2
I have to agree with JvG here... I think it's fair to say the knock sensor being stuck right on the block is so it can get the most accurate of readings.

That being said, moving the knock sensor would make sense if I didn't care for those ultra-precise readings and just needed to be able to easily replace it when it fails, which seems to be a bit more common than actually getting a knock in the engine. In that case however, I'll just leave it where it is until I have a reason to remove the UIM. It doesn't throw a CEL, and as far as I can tell doesn't change the engine's performance. Or does it?
Old Jun 22, 2018 | 02:21 PM
  #15  
CS_AR's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,037
From: Central AR
Some interesting reading about Z32 knock sensors that are the same part used in our 4th gens at the link below.

https://www.z1motorsports.com/oxygen...or-p-1727.html

Note that I only use 93 octane fuel. The cars are not driven hard and don't think I've ever heard a knock.

The KS relocation idea started out as a test to determine if a new sensor would cure a CEL code. It resolved the code problem and the car ran better after the fix so I decided to leave it alone until I have some reason to get under the UIM. So its a temporary hack.

A buddy at work has a Z32 and needed a new sensor, so that's how I learned that a lot of other Nissan owners have performed the KS relocation trick.

Note in the video the factory location is the best..

Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pyha691
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
14
Mar 25, 2015 04:04 PM
lilaclucymaxima
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
1
Nov 4, 2004 07:12 PM
sk24iam
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
1
Mar 27, 2004 07:55 AM
Kolyan
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
4
Mar 11, 2004 05:16 PM
madmax2
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
1
Aug 18, 2003 04:40 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:50 PM.