Disconnecting knock sensor

[dskorski]

I believe I have a bad knock sensor in my 1998 I30. I tested with an OBDII device and got a knock sensor code. Also, the car exhibits the symptoms of a bad sensor as well. I have tested the connections and wiring and everything seems okay. The question I have is this: can the subharness connector be disconnected, hence isolating the sensor from the computer? I have done this and there seems to be no change in the performance. The power is still sketchy and the fuel economy is poor.

Any feedback would be extremely helpful. I think I just need to invest in a new sensor.

dean

[maxhopper]

As the knock sensor is imperative to controlling engine timing, I would not try disconnecting the sensor from the ECU. Just replace it.

[dskorski]

i have already disconnected the harness to the sensor and the engine still seems to run the same. there is a bit of surging under light load at a steady speed and the fuel economy seems poor.

[TurboMax67]

Go to Radioshack and buy a 5pack of 470k resistors (1/2 ohm incase they ask, .99c) and unplug the subharness and pop a resistor in there with some electrical tape covering it. You will automatically be able to tell a difference in power and there should be no code appearing. Make sure you reset the ECU before you go for a drive.

Maxhopper, if you disconnect it from the subharness the ECU will automatically switch to the 'Safe' timing path and you will trouble pulling away from Accords.