scott1974

Should I go with a knock sensor for a newer model? I see different part numbers listed for different years. I am getting some ping from time to time and my tuner wants me to replace the knock sensors 1st. He says the '97 knock sensors "suck".

lucky131969

So your tuner thinks the knock sensors are causing the pinging/spark knock?

scott1974

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too.

I looked a little closer at he knock sensor part numbers. Looks like they are the same from 99-04 with '98 having "1st design with locating tab" and "2nd design W/O locating tab".
I guess my question is; Is one more sensitive than the other?

lucky131969

The sensor itself could degrade over time, but the sensitivity is adjustable in the tune. I don't see how a knock sensor could cause pinging/spark knock, but I do know that a bad sensor or pinched harness could sense a false knock, and the PCM will pull timing accordingly.

scott1974

So...since I am getting knock am I correct in thinking that the sensor isn't sending the right voltage, therefore the pcm is not pulling timing?

lucky131969

If you have spark knock(profound enough to be picked up by the sensors), and the PCM is not pulling timing, then you may have a sensor/harness issue(which should generate a code), or the sensitivity is turned down.