What are the symptoms of a damaged knock sensor?
1 Answers
A damaged knock sensor can lead to the following symptoms: inability to detect engine knock signals, failure to automatically retard ignition timing, engine knocking, insufficient engine power, and knocking sounds from the cylinders. Detailed explanations are as follows: 1. During engine operation, factors such as excessive ignition timing advance (ignition advance angle), engine load, temperature, and fuel quality can cause engine knocking. When knocking occurs, combustion happens before the piston reaches top dead center. In mild cases, this produces noise and reduces engine power; in severe cases, it can damage the engine's mechanical components. To prevent knocking, the knock sensor is an essential component that adjusts the ignition timing through the electronic control system. 2. The knock sensor is installed on the engine block. For a four-cylinder engine, it is typically installed between cylinders 2 and 3, or one between cylinders 1 and 2 and another between cylinders 3 and 4. Its function is to measure engine vibration. When knocking occurs, the knock sensor converts the engine's mechanical vibration into a signal voltage and sends it to the engine control unit (ECU). The ECU then calculates and adjusts the ignition timing based on pre-stored data to prevent knocking.
