What are the symptoms of a damaged knock sensor?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a damaged knock sensor are: reduced engine power, knocking sounds from the engine, potential damage to the engine pistons and cylinder block, inability to detect engine knock signals, and failure to automatically retard ignition timing. The knock sensor is a component that detects engine knock. When the engine knocks, it vibrates, and the knock sensor receives pulse signals and relays them to the engine ECU. The ECU then reduces the ignition advance angle to prevent knocking. If the knock sensor is faulty, the engine warning light on the dashboard will illuminate. In such cases, it is essential to immediately visit a professional repair facility or a 4S shop for diagnostics. Use an OBD diagnostic tool to read the fault codes and then replace the knock sensor as needed.
The most obvious symptom of a faulty knock sensor is severely reduced engine power. The throttle response becomes sluggish, and acceleration feels particularly sluggish, as if the engine is being held back by something. Fuel consumption also increases sharply, costing significantly more in fuel than usual. The engine malfunction indicator light almost always stays on, signaling a problem that needs to be checked. Sometimes, you can even hear metallic knocking sounds from the engine bay, especially when climbing hills or driving at high speeds, indicating poor control of engine knock. The sensor monitors abnormal combustion in the engine; if it fails, the vehicle's computer cannot adjust the ignition timing promptly, potentially leading to excessive engine knock and damage to internal components like pistons or valves. Ignoring these symptoms can result in higher repair costs. It's advisable to seek professional diagnosis as soon as any irregularities are noticed, rather than waiting for the problem to worsen.
