skyking62

I have the well documented RX300 knock sensor problem and have a question. What is the difference,if any, between Lexus knock sensor part 89615-12040 vs Toyota knock sensor part 89615-12040. I assume they are interchangeable but wanted some confirmation. I own the 1999 RX300 and bought the OEM Toyota part. Any help would be appreciated.

salimshah

I have 99 RX and somewhere Lexus changed the part number. I had to take my VIN to the dealer to get the right part for my vehicle.

I dont know how that might play with Toyota part number.

Salim

Sitrosan

i purchased
if you put your vehicle in amazon's auto tool it has had really good accuracy so far with my 01 RX300 as far as part sizing goes

salimshah

How has your non-oem sensor purchase experience? How many miles of trouble free service?

I for one would only suggest using OEM (not aftermarket) or even with claims of being equivalent. But that is just me.

Salim

Sitrosan

I've had them in for 2,000 miles so far and they've been pretty solid (= I would have Used Denso's if they were within my area at the time really really needed them. but then again the ones i got also come with a pretty solid name behind them so i didn't feel too uncomfortable testing them out

carguy07

They are identical parts. Most "Lexus" parts come in a Toyota box.

skyking62

I thought so. My mechanic wanted a genuine oem knock sensor for my rx300. I found the exact part and number but packaged as Toyota and needed a sanity check.

daniel5xfl

Two days ago i replaced my supposedly faulty knock sensors with auto zones duralast knock sensors, and the code still pops up for a knock sensor. i spent 300 alone on knock sensors, and replaced them along with harness and all the gaskets that i ran into. and also i forgot to mention that my o/d doesn't kick in. due to limp mode. after replacing the knock sensors, hopeing to see results, nothing changed. is this an issue with the knock sensors being the wrong ones, or does this have something to do with the transmissions solenoids. my main concern is the o/d kicking in. does any one have any answers or any advice as to how to proceed?

skyking62

I used Toyota knock sensor part 89615-12040 on my 99 RX300 and replaced the wiring with a OEM harness and all is good. Back to shifting into O/D. I tried a non OEM part but did not replace wiring and had no luck at all. I did find Genuine OEM Toyota/Lexus knock sensors for less than 130.00 each on EBAY. Also make sure you know the date of manufacture. Toyota knock sensor part 89615-12040 is good on the RX300 before 8/99 after that I think the part number is 89615-12090. Not sure what the difference is. Good luck

daniel5xfl

The only thing stopping me from getting oem parts is coughing up another 400-500 dollars. And 6 hours of labour. Is there any way it could be a solenoid or any thing inside the transmission The transmission works perfectly until it reaches o/d.


After installing the after market parts

skyking62

Obviously anything is possible. But it sounds like the knock sensor is putting you into limp mode. Was the car shifting into O/D until you got the knock sensor code? Here's the link to the actual one I bought this week and it worked.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281772300417?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

daniel5xfl

The light came on a few weeks later it stopped going into overdrive, I changed the the sensor and a mile in the drive, the o/d went out and a a minute later the light went on

trapreo

When my code (P0330) came up for knock sensor I cut the wire at the ECU then spliced it in with the good one. 15 minutes and $0.00 and it ran normal again. Found a post that gave instructions and went for it. That was about 5,000 miles ago. Did you reset the ECU after you did the repair?

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-1...-repair-5.html

dbarber45

I replaced both knock sensors in May of this year. I replaced the wire harness at the same time. For the harness I used a Dorman part #917032. The knock sensors were Standard Motor Products KS81. Just in the past two weeks I am getting the dreaded PO325 and PO330 ECM codes. The car just this week also threw a OD off code and shut down Overdrive.
So I am wondering if the problem is related to non-OEM sensors. I mean it's only been 5-6 months on those sensors. I'm planning to bite the bullet and take the car to my local Toyota dealer for a diagnostic. They charge $110 but I don't think the local garage that did the original work has the ability to do any real diagnostics.
Can somebody tell me who the oem is for the sensors and harness? Is it Denso? I was trying to save a buck when I did this back in May and ordered the parts listed above from RockAuto.
Any suggestions from members or mods is welcome. The RX 300 is a 1999 FWD model with 305k miles. Runs strong otherwise.