Will a damaged knock sensor affect engine power?
2 Answers
Damaged knock sensor will affect engine power. A faulty knock sensor can cause engine shaking, generate noise, trigger the malfunction indicator light, and in severe cases, may lead to significant firmware damage. The main causes of engine knocking are as follows: 1. Higher compression ratios result in higher cylinder temperatures, making knocking more likely to occur at the end of the compression stroke. 2. Advanced ignition timing, which is not exactly premature ignition but has a tendency towards it, can easily induce knocking. 3. Overheating of the engine, which can be caused by various factors such as poor coolant or oil circulation, prolonged operation under high-load conditions, can lead to surface ignition or knocking.
The knock sensor is located inside the engine and is responsible for monitoring whether the combustion condition is normal. If it malfunctions, the engine control unit (ECU) won't receive knock signals, which may lead to incorrect ignition timing. This will definitely affect performance because your engine might experience knocking during acceleration, resulting in sluggish power output—like stepping on the gas pedal without getting the expected response. From my experience, the engine is more susceptible at high speeds, and prolonged issues like this could even cause wear and tear on other components, such as pistons and cylinders. The driving experience will feel sluggish, with noticeable struggles during uphill climbs or overtaking. It's best to get it checked at a professional repair shop ASAP—don’t wait until the engine needs major repairs, as the cost would outweigh the benefit. Regular maintenance can prevent such issues, like cleaning the area around the sensor.
