Knock Sensor 2 Replacement

dcmacg811 · September 8, 2005

98ES300 - Have the P0330 code (KS 2 Circuit) indicating the knock sensor is faulty. Since this is located under the intake manifold, and the repair estimates range from $600 to $800, wondering if this is something a relatively handing person can attempt to replace on their own? The sensors can be purchased from around $160 (pricey little things - aren't they).

If it's too much hassle, requires special tools, then forget it. If I do have it replaced, are there any other maintenance items that should be serviced while they do the KS2 replacement? :blink:

SKperformance · September 8, 2005

:chairshot:

Toysrme · September 8, 2005

1):chairshot: That's SK's way of telling you should search first. Knock sensors are covered on every Toyota/Lexus v6 forum to death.

2) 1mz-fe's are notorious for having over sensitive knock sensors. You should run your tank of gas low (18.5 gallon tank), refill with high octane fuel & reset the ECU (Pull the EFI fuse a second & replace)

3) 90% of the time the wiring is damaged - the knock sensor is fine. A knock sensor is nothing more than a piezo in a metal housing. Nothing to break less a mechanic does it during repairs, or the sensor shorts out (that falls under bad wiring).

4) It's a two piece intake manifold, some wires, some hoses, some cables, a fuel rail. Not engineering a new insulation foam for the space shuttle that the EPA says is "environmentally friendly".

You need a normal set of tools:

Normal & deep well metric sockets. Specifically 10, 12, 14 mm with extensions

Lexus provides cheap chrome coated wrenches 8/10, 14/16 mm in your tool pouch

If you're smart; you'll get a brush & some type of strong cleaning agent, and clean the entire upper intake air chamber (the actual name for the upper intake), including everything connected to it. (Throttlebody, ISC & EGR valves)

Have some RTV silicon on hand incase you break a paper gasket.

Toysrme · September 8, 2005

I wouldn't pay more than $300-400usd, and most of that is labor, figuring out what exactly the problem is.

A mechanic experianced on any Toyota v6 is going to be looking at the knock sensors in no more than a 1/2 hour. I just tore down to mine on my 3vz-fe in 15 min yesterday, including the two valve covers!

So it's going to be an hour of labor from a Lexus/Toyota/Import mechanic. You can also call some junkyard/salvage yards / ebay for 1mz-fe knock sensors. $30-50usd for a used sensor is about right.

dcmacg811 · September 10, 2005

:blushing:

I thought I did a good search of the site before I posted the new link. I have read all about the gas cap and the EFI fuse reset. I've had the cap tested, it's ok, the EFI fuse reset works, but I get the code again within a few hours time. So, I'm really thinking it truly is either the KS2 wiring is loose or broken or the sensor itself is kaput. That's why I posted the new link. I hate getting bashed on the head. I thought I researched it pretty well. :wacko: