93 camry 3.0 litre 3VZ-FE check engine light - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

brian long · 02-08-2010, 09:50 AM

Good morning, Just bought this car 'as is' 10 days ago. Really is a nice car, just needs a little TLC.

I am told it's a code 52, knock sensor. I really don't want the pull the intake, as the car runs perfect even though the light is on. The light is off when started cold, comes on about 2 minutes later.

Have tried a tank of 93 octane gas. no help
I do know it has Champion plugs, installed by the previous owner.

Can anybody tell me where i can find the wire for the knock sensor. I'm hoping I can find a break that isn't under the intake...........

wire color?

Thank you

BlueFusion6851 · 02-08-2010, 09:52 AM

You might want to try putting O.E.M. spark plugs back in before condemning the knock sensor as the faulty part, but that it just my college training talking.

brian long · 02-08-2010, 10:02 AM

Wow that was quick. Please give me a little more info from your experience. Do you really feel the plugs could be the problem?

Thank you

BlueFusion6851 · 02-08-2010, 12:31 PM

My reasoning is this... different brands of spark plugs behave differently... for example, if i were to put NGK plugs into my G6, it would run very badly... Pontiac recommends that I use ACDelco platinum spark plugs to ensure that the engine runs correctly and smoothly. If you do switch the spark plugs back to O.E. brand, your symptoms MAY go away, but I would say that the spark plugs would be the best place to start. And if you need to end up replacing the knock sensor as well, I wouldn't worry too much about it because you never know what would happen with the wrong brand plugs in the engine.

***Gothmog3VZ*** · 02-08-2010, 01:09 PM

might be a faulty knock sensor as well
or possibly the previous owner tried to do the timing/AFM tuneup without proper tools (like a timing light, for example).

but I agree with fusion, check the spark plugs first.

oh, and

to TN

brian long · 02-08-2010, 01:16 PM

Thank you for the info. Is it possible all I have to do is clear the codes?
I have received conflicting info on just how to clear them properly. What is the correct procedure, without a scan tool? thank you

chronoti · 02-08-2010, 01:38 PM

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/codes/

hill8570 · 02-08-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueFusion6851

My reasoning is this... different brands of spark plugs behave differently... for example, if i were to put NGK plugs into my G6, it would run very badly... Pontiac recommends that I use ACDelco platinum spark plugs to ensure that the engine runs correctly and smoothly. If you do switch the spark plugs back to O.E. brand, your symptoms MAY go away, but I would say that the spark plugs would be the best place to start. And if you need to end up replacing the knock sensor as well, I wouldn't worry too much about it because you never know what would happen with the wrong brand plugs in the engine.

While I'd never be one to recommend Champion plugs in a Camry engine (hell, I wouldn't recommend Champion plugs in anything more mission-critical than a lawnmower), but wonky plugs won't give a DTC 52 -- there has to be zero, nada, zilch signal from the knock sensor to get a 52.

Brian, sorry I can't be more help, but I really don't know much about the 3VZ -- hopefuly one of the 3VZ experts can help you out with the wiring details.

LUVLEXUS101 · 02-08-2010, 06:37 PM

I wired one knock sensor to both points on the ecu to get rid of the check engine light but now I only get like 12 mpg

AlmightyCamry777 · 02-08-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian long

Thank you for the info. Is it possible all I have to do is clear the codes?
I have received conflicting info on just how to clear them properly. What is the correct procedure, without a scan tool? thank you

"correct" i'm not sure, but it works - disconnect the battery for a few minutes, then reconnect. (You will have to reset your radio stations and clock.)
If the computer is just crying wolf, the light won't come back on. If it comes back on, obviously you have the problem.

***Gothmog3VZ*** · 02-08-2010, 07:27 PM

there's something you can do with a paperclip, but I can't recall it offhand. try google paperclip, OBD1, ECU reset...

chronoti · 02-08-2010, 07:38 PM

or pull the efi fuse for a min?

llcoolpass · 02-08-2010, 10:09 PM

whoa two seperate things. yes, only use ngk or denson.

the real problem -- common knock sensor issue. it can be the plug / wiring or the part. either way, get your valve cover gaskets cause you might as well take care of the rear one while you got the intake manifold odd ;-) also a just splendid time to replace the spark plugs and spark plug wires.

brian long · 02-09-2010, 05:54 AM

Good morning all, and thank you for sharing. I tried a new set of NGK plugs. still have a code 52.

Getting back to my original question, would I find the wires for the knock sensors going under the drivers side of the intake?

1 or 2 wires?

wire color?

The engine is a 3.0 litre 3VZ-FE in a 93 Camry

I am hoping to find a broken wire out in the open.

I've heard of 3.0 litre Toyota 4runner owners cutting the wire going under the intake and wiring in a new knock sensor, to turn the CEL off, but I believe that engine only has one KS? Thank you

BlueFusion6851 · 02-09-2010, 08:21 PM

I think the 3vz had a knock sensor for each bank of cylinders. BUT!! If you can find the 1993 ES300 service manual in PDF and download it, you will find information for ANYTHING you need to know service-wise. Let me dig around and try to find it.