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I was getting a P0332 PCM code, and from what I read, it pointed to a bad knock sensor. I took the car in to a mechanic who was recc to me. There was an issue removing the original KS in the valley (going to skip over all that for brevity), so he went the route of installing LS3 KS into the side of the block and used an adapter harness. The P0332 came back, and also a P0327 (I never had this code before). So now both KS were reporting errors.
I dug around, and seemed like the knock tables would need to be updated.
However, I took the car into another shop, and they told me that the KS were installed in the wrong locations, and no amount of tweaks in the knock table would help because the KS wouldn't be picking up knocks properly.
What are the right locations? Pics attached. The D/S is just below the first spark plug behind the alternator, and the P/S is near the rear spark.
If you have some kind of docs to back up your responses, that would be great. If I go get my $$ back, I need to have something to show him, not heresay.
Thanks. passenger side knock sensor - at back of engine drivers side knock sensor - just below the spark plug
For a LS2 or LS3 that would be the wrong location. It looks like LS1/6 knock sensors were installed in that location. Find another shop to put the correct sensors in the correct location for your car. Also have them check the wire harness for the knock sensors.
Now I have heard of some knock sensors being better than others. I recently replaced mine with AC Delcos and had to replace one of them due to it being bad. I still have an issue that I need to track down. Some people swear by Napa, Duralast and other aftermarket ones.
For a LS2 or LS3 that would be the wrong location. It looks like LS1/6 knock sensors were installed in that location. Find another shop to put the correct sensors in the correct location for your car. Also have them check the wire harness for the knock sensors.
Now I have heard of some knock sensors being better than others. I recently replaced mine with AC Delcos and had to replace one of them due to it being bad. I still have an issue that I need to track down. Some people swear by Napa, Duralast and other aftermarket ones.
Gary
Thanks Gary. I haven't been able to find where the exact location is supposed to be on an LS1 engine. I did find this thread https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...go-on-ls3.html but it talks about putting LS1 KS into an LS3 block for a C5. Would this be the correct location for LS1 KS mounted on the block of an LS1?
One other Q if you don't mind, can you use LS3 KS in an LS1 block. The mechanic used an adapter harness, said it converts, and adds a ground since LS3 KS has a separate ground. The KS look just like an LS1 KS though. I'll see if I can pull off the model number. (edit Dorman 926-084 - which appears to be an LS1 KS. Now I'm confused since he told me he put LS3 on there :-/ )
Last edited by pewtercoupe2002; Feb 28, 2025 at 11:13 AM.
Reason: added extra info
The knock sensors for a LS1/6 are in the valley between the heads. You have to pull the intake manifold to get to them. Not a bad job but does require taking quite a few parts off to get to them.
The knock sensors for a LS1/6 are in the valley between the heads. You have to pull the intake manifold to get to them. Not a bad job but does require taking quite a few parts off to get to them.
Gary
Thanks Gary. Sorry, I should have made my question clearer. Where would the KS be located on an LS1 engine if they were relocated to the sides? (i.e. not in the original location in the valley)
Thanks Gary. Sorry, I should have made my question clearer. Where would the KS be located on an LS1 engine if they were relocated to the sides? (i.e. not in the original location in the valley)
Out of curiosity, why are you delving into this relocation of knock sensors? They already have a "home" as Gary mentioned. Typically the only time knock sensors are relocated on a C5 it's because there's a LS2/3 engine installed. And those engines used knock sensors with very difference response characteristics that allowed them to be effective in their new location (on the sides). C5 PCM can't use LS2/3 knock sensors (though recently I read something about a 2004 (?) PCM that could maybe be rewired and tuned for them).
I would be very worried about the effectiveness of relocating the stock LS1 knock sensors. At a bare minimum this would require a tune to adapt to a different sensitivity value, but determining what that should be would be tricky.
I used the LS1 sensors on the sides of my 6.2 block.
All they actually do is keep the check engine light off.
Do to the decreased sensitivity on the side of the block, and the fact that they are no longer fore and aft, they have no chance of working.
Using LS2/3 sensors def do not work.
All that said, I to would like to hear why the orig location won’t work.
Lastly, it’s honestly best to use real GM sensors. Even good used ones. The aftermarket ones are junk.
P0332 has been showing for a while, a mechanic was referred to me w/ LS1 experience. Booked in to replace both KS and the oil pressure unit.
He calls me up during the job:
The front KS is spinning in place, It won't come out, threads are stripped. The rear KS came out just fine.
We need to replace the valley cover since the thread in it is what the KS screws into is stripped (I think this is plain wrong - they screw into the actual block don't they?). New valley covers are ~500. Used parts you don't know what you get.
An alternative to save you some money is to get some LS3 sensors, put them in the side of the block using existing holes, and get adapter harness between the 2 KS and the original KS connector.
Okay, let's do that. Any issues with that?
Nope, the computer won't know any difference.
2 days later, P0332 comes back, along with P0327. I call him back.
It could be the harness wiring going from KS connector back to the car. The KS and adapter harness ohm out fine. We'll need to remove the intake manifold and test the wires.
Sounds fishy. Why would a new code come up that wasn't there before?
I spend a few days Googling and going on forums, finally booked into a performance shop that specializes in V8s
The front KS had actually broken off of the bolt in the block. They managed to get the remainder of the bolt out of the block.
Nothing mentioned about the valley cover needing to be replaced. (go figure)
I wish guys would call out these incompetent imbeciles. They deserve it. It may not help the majority of us, but it would help any members living anywhere near the butchers shop......
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LS3 Knock Sensors on LS1 Engine - Location?
