Knock Sensor gone bad?

Question

2000 Subaru impreza outback, standard transmission, had it in for a check engine light 3 times and been told each time it's the knock sensor. now the check engine lite is on permanently. I need to do SOMETHING so that if the engine really DOES go bad I will know. What will happen if I opt to have the sensor removed and NOT replaced?

Answer 1

If you elect to remove the knock sensor a multitude of interlaced electrical and mechanical problems will result. The most important is the motors ability to advance or retard spark timing as you operate the car.
This in very important if you use low octane 87 fuel. The knock sensor retards the electrical advance program inside the ignition timing module when it senses spark knock inside the combustion chambers.
Eventually, worst case end result are burned valves and severe piston and piston ring damage.
Without a timing light I couldn't say for sure but you may not have any ignition advance at all without the knock sensor. Fuel economy would drop directly in the toilet if this happens.
I'd strongly recommend replacing it for your continued life expectancy of the motor.

Answer 2

Knock Sensor Code

Answer 3

If the sensor's bad, you don't need to remove it to keep it from working since it has already stopped working. When the knock sensor detects engine vibrations, it retards your spark timing through your computer. If the yellow check engine light was specifically for the knock sensor, and your car is driving ok now, you could continue to drive it with the light on, but there's no way to turn off the light permanently without replacing the sensor. The sensor is cheap and easy to replace, so why not replace it? Also, it can protect your engine from damage for some performance problems. The knock sensor's probably good and simply indicating a problem with your engine that causes it to vibrate or run rough. That's the true problem you need to get fixed, not replacing the knock sensor itself. See the link info on check engine light meanings below. A knock sensor error code doesn't mean the knock sensor is necessarily bad itself (same is true for an O2 sensor for example)

http://www.samarins.com/diagnose/checkengine.html

Answer 4

With out a Knock sensor the computer will not be able to adjust timing. So there for it WILL damage your motor. The Knock sensor is there for a reason. Just REPLACE it. It is not as expensive as a new engine. And it is not hard to do it your self. Most auto parts will show you where it is located.

Answer 5

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The knock sensor was designed as a listening device for the vehicle's engine. It is used to detect engine noises such as detonation, when fuel ignites in an engine's cylinder, as well as adjusts the ignition timing when the vehicle is being driven. When a knock sensor is not working properly, it may cause permanent engine damage. Therefore, there are various symptoms to aid in recognizing a faulty knock sensor. Check Engine Light One of the main symptoms for a faulty knock sensor is the"check engine" light that will begin to flash on the vehicle's dashboard. This can be caused by the grade of gasoline being used; using cheap gasoline causes detonation and triggers the engine's main control board to wrongly diagnose the sensor. This will send a false malfunction message in the form of the check engine light. Before consulting a mechanic, try using a higher grade of gasoline. This can solve the problem. Engine Noises Sounds coming from the vehicle's engines are another sign of a faulty knock sensor. When the knock sensor is going bad, the driver may hear a pounding noise that becomes louder with time. This is caused by fuel and air igniting inside the cylinder instead of burning evenly before the sensor in its correct position, also known as pre-ignition. Additional Symptoms There are various other symptoms to determine a faulty knock sensor, such as fuel economy. The vehicle will use and burn more gas and require more frequent fuel replenishment, which will affect fuel economy. Detonation in the cylinders may cause strong burning smells coming from the engine, as well as exhaust smells. Often, the vehicle will have trouble accelerating. Hesitation from the engine during acceleration may appear.Another common symptom is a vibration or misfire when the engine is being started, because of a sluggish engine.

Answer 6

The light will stay on if you remove the sensor. If replacing the sensor has not worked, try putting in a higher octane fuel to see if it will turn off. Sometimes valves that need adjusting will kick over the sensor too along with a bad timing chain or belt.

Answer 7

where is the knock senor located on a mercury villanger van 1998