Thoughts on knock sensor September 24, 2016, 02:00:16 pm As I continue my search for an LD. I have found one I am interested in. So far you all have been a great help so I thought I would come to you once again.The owner of the LD I am interested in has the following to say. "It has a knock sensor code that my service man says is not critical at this point as there are no observed symptoms. A $30 part with a $550 labor charge." Honestly I googled knock sensor and it seems to have something to do with the engine. But I really know nothing about engines or vehicle mechanics. Should I ran away? The LD is a 1997 with 112,000 miles.Thanks in advance for your input and thoughts.Melissa
Re: Thoughts on knock sensor Reply #1 – September 25, 2016, 11:32:41 am MelissaI don't know what state the LD is located in but here in California, the seller is responsible to obtain a smog certificate.With a knock sensor code, it will not pass until fixed.I suggest not buying any LD that the owner does not have or will not obtain the smog certificate.You could get stuck with a more expensive repair than what you are being told.And yes, the knock sensor is an important part of the engine management system. It detects knock or preignition and then adjusts the timing to eliminate it.Here is a photo of what it looks like. This one suffered rat damage and needed it's wires replaced.Knock detector and its chewed wire | lw5315us | FlickrNot sure why the installation is so high, it shouldn't take more than a half hour to replace itLarry 2 Likes
Re: Thoughts on knock sensor Reply #2 – September 25, 2016, 11:44:09 am Get the RV professionally checked if you can. If for some reason you are not doing that take the trick to a Ford dealer and pay for the engine code to be read and get an estimate on the fix. Note the dealers estimate may be more expensive than a independent mechanic, but the numbers should be in the same ball park. What concerns me is what if the code, an O2 sensor for example, is part of a larger problem. 1 Likes
Re: Thoughts on knock sensor Reply #3 – September 25, 2016, 01:16:28 pm Thank you! I have contacted someone in the area to inspect it. Just waiting to hear back.
Re: Thoughts on knock sensor Reply #4 – September 25, 2016, 11:10:32 pm It could be a easy fix...but one of the wires is hard to get to under the intake plenum which can make it more difficult. I met someone a couple of weeks ago that had the same code on there V10 due to a rat eating the wire and needed the whole intake removed to repair it. They had the spark plugs changed at that point since everything was apart. Blownoutsparkplugs.com showed me how easy it is to damage the front sensor when changing the spark plugs.