Detonation Sensor bad luck!

[Shaftinator24]

Alright guys, so I've discovered that one wire on the detonation sensor that goes down to the lower intake manifold is severed as well as one wire on the connector for the detonation sensor that goes to the ECU. I've heard that you can get a resistor to fix the problem that the detonation sensor causes with the ECU. Basically my car is in fail safe mode. Is buying a resistor and soldering it to those two connections the right way to go? Or can I pigtail the connector and solder the det sensor that goes down to the lower intake manifold? Here is the link to what I'm trying to show u:

http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/PICS/detonat ... ensor.html

Basically the black wire is torn off on both connections for the det sensor..

HELP!! PLEASE!

[marty1mc]

OK, I have read this a couple of times and still can't figure out what you are describing. I know one of the wires to the detonation sensor is broken. Is one of the wires on the harness severed as well?

I can say that you should NOT do this to your Z! The bypass is one of the worst things you can do to your Z. There is a kit you can buy and bolt to the back of the plenum. It will get you by until you pull the motor and replace the one attached to the block.

[Shaftinator24]

Makes sense.. I think I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet and buy the kit your referring to.

[Shaftinator24]

WHere is this kit I need to buy it. And yes there is also a wire severed on the harness as well. 2 wires total that I need to figure out how to repair in order to get my Z running smooth again.

[Shaftinator24]

Could I not splice or solder the wires back together on both the harness and the detonation sensor?

[marty1mc]

First, you should be able to fix the harness. You will need to be able to get at the wire, so you can slice it. It has shielding, so if it's cut where the shielding is located, then you have to do it correctly or you will get a CEL. I think the first portion of the wire from the connector is not shielded. Hopefully, that is where it's severed. Let me know. To repair the regular wire is pretty easy. You will need a solder iron, wire strippers, solder, heat shrink tubing and some electrical tape. Basically, strip the wire back 1/2" on each side, cut a piece of heat shrink tubing and push it on one end. Try to get it at least 3" away from the solder joint, more if possible. Next, place the ends over each other where they criss-cross in the middle like an "X". Twist the first wire over the other and then do the same to the other wire. Next, solder the joint, pull up the shrink tubing over the connection and apply heat. Then use some electrical tape to close up the repair.

As for the knock sensor, you could try to splice that wire as well. But, after several years of being installed, then harnesses get very weak, brittle and fail. The brittle nature makes them very difficult to solder due to corrosion on the wires.

Here is a link to a repair kit that mounts on the back of the plenum. Many have used this and it works well. It isn't cheap, but just the Knock sensor is over $150 from Nissan.

http://www.yugobernie.com/det_sensor.html <= cost $145 + $5 shipping. Not a bad deal considering...

[Rich@RDZ]

Ohm test the wire leading to the sensor. Only the white wire matters on the harness leading to the knock sensor. The sensor uses the bolt that sercures to the block it to make a ground connection. So, if the black wire is the one that is cut don't worry.

Ohm test the pin with the white wire should read around .560 give or take

Marty is right you should be able to rewire the engine harness side.

[Shaftinator24]

I'm very pleased to say that both of the black wires I was able to solder back together. I reset my ECU and checked for codes and the ECU blinked a 55! The Z sounds and runs amazing with the water jackets bypassed and the EGR delete kit in place! Thanks for the advice guys I really appreciate it. I've learned so much from working on this car! Real good feeling.

[marty1mc]

Congrats! It is always a good feeling when you fix something by yourself. I get a high from it. This will also give you the courage to try other things. We will be here WHEN you need help. It's not IF but when, you have a Z...

[Shaftinator24]

marty you rock bud! I appreciate your help on here and on fairladyzx