check engine light code reader says knock sensors

Asked by JubalWilson Dec 07, 2019 at 03:36 AM about the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Use code reader to reset knock sensors. Drive for a while and light comes on again same sensors. I want to know what is triggering the sensors and how do I fix the problem.

5 Answers

100

Sounds like either a harness problem or a knock sensor is going out

1 people found this helpful.
155,185

A knock sensor is like a microphone. It listens for spark knock also called denotation. When it hears a knock in the engine the knock sensor sends a signal to the computer to retard the ignition timing so the knock will stop. The computer tests the knock sensor by advancing the ignition timing while you're driving to the point a knock should be heard by the knock sensor. If no signal from the knock sensor is received by the computer the check engine light is triggered and a trouble code is stored in the computer. Check the wiring going to the knock sensors first. If that's ok then I'd replace the sensors. You'll need a catch pan when you replace the knock sensors. They screw into the water jacket in the cylinder head. With a V8 you have 2 knock sensors. One in each head. Hope that helps! Jim

1 people found this helpful.
100

The pcm doesnt cause a misfire to test the knock sensor lol

1 people found this helpful.
100

Spark knock can lead to preignition which can melt pistons. The engine computer is not going to purposely cause this condition. the pcm will run arnd 5 volts to knock sensor. Inside the knock sensor is a resistor which pulls this voltage down to a certain point based on the resistance value. The pcm wants to see this voltage arnd 2.5 volts(not 5 and not 0) 5 volts would be an open circuit or open in the sensor. 0 volts wld be a short to ground somewhere. The knock sensor itself doesnt need any voltage to work it makes a low voltage ac signal in response to vibration. This voltage applied from the pcm is for diagnostics and trouble codes

5 people found this helpful.
10

I recently had this problem took into the dealer, they checked the harness good to go, the replaced the knock sensors and reset. Everything checked great. I have not had this problem from about 5 months and took a long trip and the check engine light back on. I checked the code and same knock sensor bank 1. What now?

1 people found this helpful.

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