Knock sensor replacement

Tiny
CZFY110
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA
Hi Sir/Madam,

I have a 2002 Nissan Maxima SE(3.5L SFI DOHC 6cyl). The "Service Engine Soon" light is always on. The mechanic told me that it was caused by the broken knock sensor. The vehicle has 105K miles and I think is out of warranty. Where should I repair it (my zip code is 70112)? Could you please give me some suggestions? Approximately how much will it cost? Thank you very much!

czfy110
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 AT 4:04 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
The knock sensor is installed in the top, center of the engine block. Access can be gained by removing the intake manifold.

Knock Sensor, R&R 3.5 HRS @ shop rate.

Knock Sensor #220602Y000 $293.18

Here is how the job is done. Check out the images (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
CZFY110
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks, that's expensive. Can I just buy the OEM version of it and have some mechnician replace it for me? I don't know whether there are some repair shops that can do this for customers using customers' own parts.
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
STEVEW84
  • MECHANIC
  • 673 POSTS
The knock sensor is located under the intake manifold.
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 AT 9:01 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Yeah, a local shop can do it for you. Any local repair shop will use your own part you bring in. Just go to a local part store (AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts etc.) And order the knock sensor. Then take the sensor to a local reputable repair shop and ask them how much they charge to replace it. The sensor will be around $125 at part stores compared to the nearly $200 at the dealer.
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 AT 9:22 PM
Tiny
CZFY110
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Bluelightnin6 and stevew84, thank you guys so much! I'll try it.
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
ED-WEEZY21
  • MECHANIC
  • 248 POSTS
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I have a code for a knock sensor circuit code. I think it was p0325 or something like that. I'm looking on google and youtube to try to find a video on how to replace this because I'm being told I can replace it without removing the intake manifold but every car I see online has an aluminum manifold and mine is plastic. I can not find the right video or pictures to show me with the right motor as mine. Can anyone please help me?
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
You shouldn't have to remove the intake. It is mounted on the top of the engine block. See attached pic.
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALBERTNIKAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
I need to replace the knock sensor but I do not know where it is located in the engine. I have the part ready and I took the engine apart but I still can not find the location of the knock sensor. Please help!
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Location of knock sensor-see below:


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_k_5.gif

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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
Remove the upper intake manifold (plenum) if your having difficulty taking it off, there are 2 support braces that hold it on, they are located on the backside of the engine, closest to the firewall. You will have to feel for the bolts, or use a mirror. I dont remember what size they are, I think they are 13, or 14 mm. Use a short socket and a ratchet. And dont get aggravated. They are a pain in the a$$ even for an experienced tech.
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TYPERHUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 121,111 MILES
I have a NISSAN MAXIMA Automatic 2001. Under acceleration it hestitates and sputters once I reach 40mph. If I get off the gas and let the gears change and give it gas gently the car doesnt sputter or hestitate only under heavy acceleration. Now I have done the following
CHECKED
KNOCK SENSOR
MAF SENSOR
FUEL INJECTORS
GROUND
FUEL FILTER
TIMING
BASICALLY ALL SENSORS
SPARK
tune up
Now the funny thing If I turn it off and turn it back on and rev it pass 4thousand RPM 4times. The car drives fine. But if I turn it off and turn it back on its sputtering when I reach 40mph. I'am thinking something is resetting once I turn it off. Please help
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Is the Check Engine Light indicating and have you tried to retrieve for trouble codes?
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TYPERHUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
NO check engine light at all. It hestitates and sputters if I try to accelerate it. If I turn it off and back on and rev it 4 times pass 4k and start driving its fine. No alarms no cutoff switches. The car was a gift
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TYPERHUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
It revs fine when in Park Or Neutral
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Since problem ocurs only under load, it could be due to a misfifing. You mentioned checking the MAF, was it cleaned and what was done to check it? If you are not able to get any idea, plugging in a scan tool to monitor the various conditions might give you an idea what is not working correctly.
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NISSANMAX99
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • NISSAN MAXIMA
I have a 99 Nissan Maxima GLE. It has about 80,000 miles on it. The problem is that while idle it feels as if the engine is dropping. It also sometimes does it while I'm driving (30 mph). As if its hesitating to go faster.
But basically the problem is when I'm just idle, still in drive, but waiting at a light. It just drops and sometimes it does is 5 times in a row.
The mechanic said it was the knock sensor, so I had that replaced. It was good for about a week, but now it does it again. I've read some things that a knock sensor is if you hear knocking sounds. My car does not make any knocking noises. It is silent, but the car just drops.
Any ideas?

Thank you.
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CBAILEYII
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
Not too sure why a mechanic would up and blame a knock sensor right off. It usually only trips as a result of something else. Sounds like he may have been farming you for some additional repairs in the future. The knock sensor may be throwing code as a result of a heavy sputter in your idling condition. I would venture to guess that you are probably going to show some other codes if you have it diagnosed with a reader. Most likely you will see a lean condition code, or possibly some random misfire codes. Tough thing is to say specificly what is causing this. Your best starting place is to have all of the intake vacuum points checked. Once you determine it to be something else(unless that is the culprit) move through the rest of the combustion cycle.

This is one of those issues you can find yourself swimming in information for, but may also lead you to a last possible problem solution. I'm working on a similar problem right now with my 01 Altima, and only have a couple possible culprits left. PM mem if you interested in the specifics on that one.

Good luck with your repair
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FCCCHILDS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 20,000 MILES
The car was check with a meter. The code came up to change the knock sensor. Mass air flow sensor. The parts are quite high knock sensor in peticular 220.000 is there a web site for these parts?
Should I put back original parts? The labor can be very high do to the dropping of the transmission?
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The mass air flow may be the issue but needs to be confirmed.
Forget about the knock sensor as it is a ghost code. The knock sensor code always comes up with other codes. If you repair the mass air flow the knock sensor code will not re appear.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FERNANDO001
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 254,000 MILES
I was having problems getting this car started. It turns over but will not start, most of the time draining the battery. I eventualy get it started, most of the time push starting it. I was told to replace the cam sensor and the knock sensor, wich I did. I also replaced the starter, battery, cables, plugs, intake gasket, fuel filter etc. Etc. Let me also mention, once the car is on it runs great! Lots of power, no problems at all once it's on. Whan can you enlight me with on this situation? Please help me, I love this car.
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 AT 3:25 PM (Merged)

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