P0330 Knock Sensor, 15 min. Hack Repair...
12-04-20, 12:11 PM
#241
Driver School Candidate
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Both Senors Bad
This is for the people that don't want to pay big money to replace a bad knock sensor. I got the dreaded P0330 code saying the #2 knock sensor circuit was bad. I was driving 46 miles each way to work and had to stop and reset the light before I could there because she went in limp mode and I would lose overdrive. I just had to remove all of the same stuff to replace my leaking valve covers just a couple of months ago. I did not want to do that again. The ecu is looking for a small voltage between a set range to decide if that is normal and won't throw a code as long as it sees that voltage for each sensor. So I decided that since there are 2 sensors, and only one is bad right now, I will just feed both sensors from the good #1 bank sensor and the ecu will be happy. So i cut the wire feeding the #2 sensor and spliced it into the #1 sensor at the ECU. Anyway, it took me 15 mins and NO money to fix it. She drives as good as ever and no more CHECK ENGINE LITE. Im not telling anyone to do it, im just telling you what i did so you do what you will or won't. 
Don't Hate!
Don't Hate!
knock hack
The following 2 users liked this post by ovonic1:
Bobster999 (07-01-24),
RXy (08-29-23)
10-31-21, 06:51 AM
#243
Driver School Candidate
The World Wide Web is amazing. I completed this “hack” a couple days ago and my ‘01 rx300 runs and drives great. No CEL, OD is back and it appears better mpg. Saved me a $1000+ repair on a car worth <$4000. Thanks contributors. Thanks clublexus, happy to be a member.
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11-08-21, 08:00 PM
#244
Driver School Candidate
11-24-21, 12:34 PM
#246
The following 2 users liked this post by maxSteel:
Margate330 (11-24-21),
MASSMINI (11-26-21)
11-24-21, 02:06 PM
#247
Lexus Test Driver
Knock Sensor Hack
Thank you maxSteel.
I was wondering the same thing.
Did the knock sensor hack a couple months ago and both banks are sharing the good knock sensor for now with no codes.
So I've been debating about buying a new sensor and installing it but really didn't feel like doing all that work before Christmas holdiay traveling as it's buried deep down under the lower intake manifold.
I realize the hack will only last as long as I have one good sensor but if it fails then I have nothing. - maybe I will do the sensor install before holiday, decisions, decisions.
I was wondering the same thing.
Did the knock sensor hack a couple months ago and both banks are sharing the good knock sensor for now with no codes.
So I've been debating about buying a new sensor and installing it but really didn't feel like doing all that work before Christmas holdiay traveling as it's buried deep down under the lower intake manifold.
I realize the hack will only last as long as I have one good sensor but if it fails then I have nothing. - maybe I will do the sensor install before holiday, decisions, decisions.
11-24-21, 06:32 PM
#248
I did the full replacement with the knock sensors and wiring harness but then some months later one of them was throwing a code. I don't remember which.
I don't know why it failed so fast. Crappy sensor, maybe the wire melted, who knows. I just didn't want to do that whole job again so I did the hack.
It's really annoying that they buried the sensors like that.
I figured I would get around to it someday but the car has almost 330k miles on it and who knows how long it will run anyway.
I picture the scene that someday I will be waiting at a light and it will suddenly just shudder violently, collapse in the street, and die.
I don't know why it failed so fast. Crappy sensor, maybe the wire melted, who knows. I just didn't want to do that whole job again so I did the hack.
It's really annoying that they buried the sensors like that.
I figured I would get around to it someday but the car has almost 330k miles on it and who knows how long it will run anyway.
I picture the scene that someday I will be waiting at a light and it will suddenly just shudder violently, collapse in the street, and die.
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Bobster999 (07-01-24)
02-09-22, 11:02 PM
#250
*************************** DISCLAIMER ***************************************
Beware that depending on county and state, tampering/modifying Emission related electronics constitutes a crime.
Club Lexus does not endorse or recommend the procedure outlined in this thread and instead encourages its members and readers to get the proper repairs done.
***************************** End Disclaimer ***********************************
Salim
Beware that depending on county and state, tampering/modifying Emission related electronics constitutes a crime.
Club Lexus does not endorse or recommend the procedure outlined in this thread and instead encourages its members and readers to get the proper repairs done.
***************************** End Disclaimer ***********************************
Salim
02-10-22, 03:48 AM
#251
Driver School Candidate
02-10-22, 08:39 AM
#252
so i understand that the hack works...but that bank is still bad condition right? so will that bank area cause damage since the knock sensor is not working anymore? i know that the car will no longer go in limp mode but beside that, the bank (bank 2) with cylinders, sparks etc will cause damage?
02-10-22, 09:15 AM
#253
Moderator
so i understand that the hack works...but that bank is still bad condition right? so will that bank area cause damage since the knock sensor is not working anymore? i know that the car will no longer go in limp mode but beside that, the bank (bank 2) with cylinders, sparks etc will cause damage?
There are two different hacks ["to experiment and help diagnose"]. Clamp on Knock sensor and feed from an existing knock sensor.
In both the hacks [one more than the other*], if a real problem exists and the hack is masking it, then engine damage can happen.
Summary: When you alter/modify, think things through. Does the solution solve the problem or masks the problem. The thrust of this thread has been the sensor is giving false information. Question is what happens when there is an actual knock?
* [I can see the argument being made that one sensor is good enough indication for both banks and for the other hack, sensors are present. You decide what satisfies you.]
Salim
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Margate330 (02-10-22)
03-12-22, 07:34 AM
#254
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2022
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Hello all
Bobster999, I got the inspiration from your post but I dont want to alter those wire near the ECU so this is what I did.
This is my first time to contribute a post/reply but long time lurker. I had this P0330 code too. This code detects knock on your bank 2 w/c is the radiator side
I did it the hardway by changing the knock sensors, after putting back everything, the code came back in 10min of test drive. I changed all sensor, harness and gasket. SO my next option is to hack this P0330 code AS I DONT WANT TO REPEAT THE WHOLE PROCESS of opening the top of the engine. Since I have the old harness I did the splicing at the harness end and now I dont have code, the car can go overdirve again,,,, but I can hear knocking/pinging/rattling in the engine when it needs more gas or when I accelerate
I read some where that knocking is bad for the engine and the way to remove knocking is to increase the octane level of the gasoline you put in the gas tank. I already am using 93 octane so now I add NOS octane booster and/or 108 octane booster, every time I fill up,,, and knocking is diminished but I can still hear it once in a while when I enter the expressway vaguely.
My verdict is that the knock sensor is detecting a knock in your engine that is why we got the code to begin with, replacing/hacking the sensor might help your situation but the knock is still there. and you might need a mechanic to fix this eventually by adjusting/replacing the valves or piston or something else. I am not a mechanic so I dont know. I dont want to buy a new car either
Bobster999, I got the inspiration from your post but I dont want to alter those wire near the ECU so this is what I did.
This is my first time to contribute a post/reply but long time lurker. I had this P0330 code too. This code detects knock on your bank 2 w/c is the radiator side
I did it the hardway by changing the knock sensors, after putting back everything, the code came back in 10min of test drive. I changed all sensor, harness and gasket. SO my next option is to hack this P0330 code AS I DONT WANT TO REPEAT THE WHOLE PROCESS of opening the top of the engine. Since I have the old harness I did the splicing at the harness end and now I dont have code, the car can go overdirve again,,,, but I can hear knocking/pinging/rattling in the engine when it needs more gas or when I accelerate
I read some where that knocking is bad for the engine and the way to remove knocking is to increase the octane level of the gasoline you put in the gas tank. I already am using 93 octane so now I add NOS octane booster and/or 108 octane booster, every time I fill up,,, and knocking is diminished but I can still hear it once in a while when I enter the expressway vaguely.
My verdict is that the knock sensor is detecting a knock in your engine that is why we got the code to begin with, replacing/hacking the sensor might help your situation but the knock is still there. and you might need a mechanic to fix this eventually by adjusting/replacing the valves or piston or something else. I am not a mechanic so I dont know. I dont want to buy a new car either
). On THESE engines, periodic and TIMELY oil changes ARE IMPORTANT! DO NOT PUT IT OFF! It will prevent a lot of the symptoms as stated above.
Last edited by mlrobin02; 03-12-22 at 07:39 AM. Reason: Left out important info.
04-24-22, 06:07 PM
#255
Driver School Candidate
Do the hack!
So my 2001 RX300 was showing the P0330 error, also as soon as the light went on the car won’t shift over 50 miles… I changed the knock sensor #2, 2 times!! You know how expensive this sensor change is… and the light always come back…. When the car have the light off the car runs perfect, but as soon as the check engine and vsc light come the car starts having trouble with the shifting…
i did the cables hack, it was super fast and i run the car today all day over 50miles and worked perfect and no light!
i actually open an account here to thank whoever find that fix. I was thinking to sell my lexus before this.
do it, is actually easy to do.
i did the cables hack, it was super fast and i run the car today all day over 50miles and worked perfect and no light!
i actually open an account here to thank whoever find that fix. I was thinking to sell my lexus before this.
do it, is actually easy to do.
The following 2 users liked this post by Andresvc:
Bobster999 (07-01-24),
Fit1too (04-26-22)