Your Cars Knock Sensor by Gene Line

Knock Sensor

Always hearing loud knocks from the engine compartment of your vehicle? These knocks are actually high frequency vibrations caused by detonation, or the premature burning of fuel inside the engine’s cylinders. Many factors can cause such detonations. Among them are too much carbon deposits on the cylinders, spark plugs that are too hot for the engine, high combustion chamber temperatures, and too advanced spark timing. But whatever the causes are, it is important that these knocks be avoided because these can rob too much power from the engine and worst, destroy the engine itself.

Detonation Limit

Here’s the fact, though: vehicle engines work more efficiently and produce more power when operating near the detonation limit. And to allow the engine to operate near that limit without ever reaching it, most vehicles are equipped with knock sensors. A knock sensor is a piezoelectric sensor or accelerator mounted on the engine to detect any high-frequency vibration caused by detonation. The piezoelectric element of the sensor is designed to generate voltage whenever a certain level of vibration is applied to it. Once signs of detonation are detected, the sensor sends a voltage signal to the engine management computer which would then retard the spark timing slightly to avoid detonation.

It’s Function

By simply performing its function, the knock sensor does two things for your vehicle’s engine: (1) it allows optimum engine performance and (2) it protects the engine from potential damages caused by detonation. And because nearly all stock knock sensors used on vehicles today are dependable, you may not find a need to replace them for the life of your vehicle. Acts of carelessness, however, may cause the knock sensor to get damaged. Running the vehicle using fuel with much higher volatility or much lower octane ratings than what is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer are among those things that may cause knock sensor failure.

Knock Sensor Failure

So while the possibility of having a knock sensor failure is low, it is still important that you take proper care of it. Taking good care of your vehicle’s engine should prevent any of such failure from happening. If, however, this advice is already too late and your vehicle’s knock sensor is already damaged, remember that not all knock sensors, even if they fit properly on your vehicle’s engine, would function well for your vehicle. Only the right knock sensor that is properly tuned for your vehicle will work well for it. Click below to get on the way to buying the correct knock sensor.

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