Replacing the Knock sensor

Printable View

07-30-2012
VTECFRED

Replacing the Knock sensor

So some how my knock sensor went bad and I could not find a DIY to comfort me in my time of need. After looking at it from the top and bottom I decided this was the easiest way to do it.

DTC P0325
Car was sluggish and bogged out under heavy acceleration. Idle was ok but not as it should be. When lightly accelerating it would misfire.
I will assume general knowledge and ability to work on your car and will not be responsible if you break your stuff

Tools:
Towel (to protect paint)
24MM Deep socket (appropriate sized ratchet usually 1/2inch and extension)
**NOTE** you can use an adapter to go from 1/2 to 3/8 ratchet
1/4 10mm socket and 1/4 Ratchet for hidden bolt next to battery
1/4 extension (so you don't rake your knuckles)
1/4 10mm Deep socket (for loosening battery bolt)
Needle-nose pliers (to squeeze clip on starter)
New Knock sensor

Remove Bolts highlighted in Red. Pay attention to the hidden two pointed out by the arrow.
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...or/1_Bolts.jpg

Hidden bolt from behind
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...cksidebolt.jpg

Loosen this bolt so you can move the battery enough to access the "hidden" bolt.
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...atterybolt.jpg

Remove bolt and radiator bracket. You can flex your front fascia just enough to get a ratchet in there SAFELY.
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...rontfascia.jpg

Remove bolts and push this back so it is not on top of rail anymore. You can do this at the same time of removing the whole rail.
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/.../5_radmove.jpg

Disconnect fan harness (squeeze plug and pull)
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...disconnect.jpg

You can now remove the rail
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...or/7_moved.jpg

Remove the plug from the knock sensor and then remove the knock sensor
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...8_SensorIN.jpg

New and Old
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...ldnewknock.jpg

Install new knock sensor by hand first! DO NOT USE THE SOCKET YET. Make sure it threads all the way to the block if it doesn't then you are cross threading it. I had trouble getting mine started.

New knock sensor installed
http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/..._installed.jpg

Now you can reassemble just follow the reverse directions

FIRST!

Push the gray wire clip back in the starter that is securing the wire
Connect wire back to knock sensor
connect fan wire
Make sure the Radiator bracket lines back up. If not then shift your radiator around. Also, do not tighten your bolts down until they are all in. Just get them started.

reinstall bolts
tighten battery back
And anything else I forgot! HEHE
07-31-2012
Si Speed 317

Reputation given :thumb: Great DIY!!!
08-01-2012
fre$h si

Wow I've been wondering where that thing was at haha. What causes them to go bad?
08-01-2012
VTECFRED

Quote:

Originally Posted by fre$h si

Wow I've been wondering where that thing was at haha. What causes them to go bad?

That is a good question. I have no idea! I had to replace mine 3 times in a month.

It would read massive knocks like during a pull over 200 knocks in each cylinder then it went to limp mode I tried everything to reset it but the error kept coming back until I replaced it.

A week later the new one did the same exact thing.

Im on my 4th one and have had it since dec 2011 so I have no idea why the others went bad

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
08-03-2012
Spaz

knock sensors suck to replace... luckily I have little hands I don't remove any of the radiator support parts like you did. I sneak my arm up from the bottom but it sucks. I will definitely try it your way next time!
08-04-2012
Si Speed 317

^ I envy you in this situation.
08-01-2013
Si Speed 317

Re: Replacing the Knock sensor

Well, I will be using this to install my new ported & polished intake manifold tomorrow! Made by [MENTION=28]Spaz[/MENTION]. Thanks in advance [MENTION=262]VTECFRED[/MENTION]
08-01-2013
aLmk

I used this DIY to replace my knock sensor a few months ago. It was on point! Took me maybe 45 mins taking my time, first time doing it. So it's really not too bad!
08-01-2013
Si Speed 317

Re: Replacing the Knock sensor

Nice! I'll be swapping my IM at the same time, and possibly my fuel return too. So it'll be a few hours at the least. I need a 24mm deep socket and a 1/2" drive tho
08-01-2013
aLmk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si Speed 317

Nice! I'll be swapping my IM at the same time, and possibly my fuel return too. So it'll be a few hours at the least. I need a 24mm deep socket and a 1/2" drive tho

Ya all I had to pick up was the 24mm deep socket. You may want to get a 3/8-1/2 adapter to use that socket on a smaller wrench. I can't remember if there was a whole lot of room in there for a large 1/2 drive wrench or not.
09-06-2013
Si Speed 317

Re: Replacing the Knock sensor

I used this for my IM swap. Worked well, I didn't know I'd need a bunch of extra stuff to remove the IM but you live and you learn! Thanks a lot for this [MENTION=262]VTECFRED[/MENTION], your DIY was a great help for me.

Before:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/06/4ymage3a.jpg

During:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/06/pu8y5u4u.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/06/8y5u5una.jpg

After:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/06/jydy9e6e.jpg
Behind the scenes photoshoot ;)

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/06/suvygane.jpg
09-06-2013
aLmk

Is it just a painted rbc?
09-06-2013
1SLOWFG2

Replacing the Knock sensor

Quote:

Originally Posted by aLmk

Is it just a painted rbc?

My guess is it was cut open ported and polished up, welded the all welds grind down and shaved and the painted . That's sooo much work lol
09-07-2013
Si Speed 317

Re: Replacing the Knock sensor

Quote:

Originally Posted by aLmk

Is it just a painted rbc?

Visually, shaved and painted. But inside, it's nicely PnP'd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SLOWFG2

My guess is it was cut open ported and polished up, welded the all welds grind down and shaved and the painted . That's sooo much work lol

Yup! Left a liiiittle bit of welding underneath for 'proof' lol.

Live Plants. Peep both the TB and head flange.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/07/edydy6yj.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/07/jynure9a.jpg
09-07-2013
aLmk

Have a before picture? I've never had my IM off, don't know what it looks like.
09-09-2013
VTECFRED

Re: Replacing the Knock sensor

Damn that looks clean! Nice work there! Is that powder coated?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
09-09-2013
PetefromtheStreets

Re: Replacing the Knock sensor

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECFRED

Damn that looks clean! Nice work there! Is that powder coated?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

It's rattle can'd I believe. I never could get it to work like this guy does.

s4 IG-petefromthestreets
09-10-2013
Si Speed 317

Re: Replacing the Knock sensor

Quote:

Originally Posted by aLmk

Have a before picture? I've never had my IM off, don't know what it looks like.

Of the inside/runners? I don't, but [MENTION=56]Adm_rsx[/MENTION] can get me pics of the inside of a stock OEM RBC IM :thumb:

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECFRED

Damn that looks clean! Nice work there! Is that powder coated?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adm_rsx

It's rattle can'd I believe. I never could get it to work like this guy does.

s4 IG-petefromthestreets

What Adam said. It's rattle canned! I love how it came out, im happy with it