Knock Sensor wire on 96 Camry

[Dusty Drake]

Had an engine code come up on my 96 camry that pointed to the knock sensor. Upon inspection, the original shielded wire has been spliced and a short pitail of normal wire was run to cover the needed distance to the knock sensor. I'm guessing that this is causing the code as I was told that splicing the wire this way would disrupt the sensor signal, and that the wire had to be a predetermined length to work correctly. Sooo: 1) Is this correct? 2) Where can I find just the knock sensor wire without having to buy the whole wiring harness?

I understand that the knock sensor may be the culprit, but the spliced wire is surely suspect, and I thought I'd start at the point of least $$$$.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Dusty

[Toysrme]

If the wire is otherwise in good shape. I'd blame the sensor. It's shielded just to keep it from picking up EMI from the ignition system. But in our case, the ignitions are already shielded a good bit no their own so...

You check them both at the same time anyway, so check them both. I'd make sure that sensor isn't shot & grounding out tho.

[toyomoho]

Is this an I4 or V6? What specific trouble code was read? There is more then one code for the knock sensor circuit. Do not think a specific length of harness wire is required. The knock sensor generates a signal when the engine is knocking. Could be a defective sensor(s), short or open wire to the sensor.

[Eye8Pussies]

well, it's pretty easy to check if your knock sensor is dead or not- just use a multimeter and test the continuity of the sensor. if you get continuity, the sensor is blown. otherwise, it's still okay.

and no, the length of the wire doesn't matter.


and as well, no, the sensor doesn't only send a signal when it hears knocking- it actually sends a continuous variable signal to the ecu. that's why you can't just take the knock sensors out to trick the ecu.

if the sensor itself is still okay, check your ground on the block to the knock sensor- make sure it's clean, and resplice the wire yourself. If any part of the wiring is touching the shielding, it's being grounded before it even reaches the sensor.

[Dusty Drake]

Thanks for the help. I'll recheck everything. I do have an I4 - meant to put that in the first post but it didn't get there. So, assuming I'm not grounding out anywhere, I can splice into the shielded wire with no ill effect? If so, why is the shielded stuff there to begin with?

[Eye8Pussies]

^ yup, as long as you don't let the wiring touch the shielding around the wire


and not sure....because on the v6 which has 2 knock sensors, one is shielded and the other one isn't....