Knock Sensors and harness DIY

[scott_morris70]

I just installed a new (used) engine in my 97 4runner. engine is running good but i'm getting 2 codes for knock sensor failure. since both are showing bad i'm assuming its the harness but if i'm tearing it all the way down i'm changing everything and rebuilding the injectors while i'm there... question though is i cant do the repair for a couple of weeks.. is it going to hurt anything driving it that way? engine sounds and runs great. everything is stock so i shouldn't be getting knock in theory should i?

 

[BlackRustBucket]

I just installed a new (used) engine in my 97 4runner. engine is running good but i'm getting 2 codes for knock sensor failure. since both are showing bad i'm assuming its the harness but if i'm tearing it all the way down i'm changing everything and rebuilding the injectors while i'm there... question though is i cant do the repair for a couple of weeks.. is it going to hurt anything driving it that way? engine sounds and runs great. everything is stock so i shouldn't be getting knock in theory should i?

I can't say for sure maybe someone else can chime in but I believe it's fine. I think it just goes into a maximum retarded timing to protect itself. You'll see a little less power and gas mileage, if it was me I would keep driving it as long as I didn't hear any knock but I'd hate to tell you the wrong thing if it was real. Especially being a newly replaced engine. Have you seen if the harness is plugged in and wasn't missed during the engine install?

 

[clt750]

Wow!!!! I need to to this badly. Thanks for scaring the shit out of me though prior to starting.

Ive been putting this off for quite some time and my 2000 is starting to run very poorly..... especially on inclines. It struggles. No bueno.

The write up looks awesome and I look forward to having my laptop in the engine compartment with me at all times once I start. Ugh this looks like so much fun.

Thanks again to all who shared info. I cant wait to get started.
Curt

 

[clt750]

Few more relevant pics...last one is injector o-rings (OEM Toyota)

Thanks for these pics and the part numbers. Since you've done your work have you had any issues with any those sensors?

 

[Clark27]

Just finished up this job as well as valve cover gaskets/seals/etc.

THANK YOU for the write up and pictures. This job wasn't fun to begin with so adding the time and effort to document the process so well is greatly appreciated. :reddance:

 

[KMcCormick24]

Not as hard as I expected.

Well I replaced my sensors and this writeup made me feel much more confident about it. Putting things back together was pretty easy, so even though its a lot to do just tackle it one bite at a time and you will be done faster than you think. I got the replacement quoted at 3 different shops and they all said it would be 16 hours of labor plus parts which was about $2000 all together. I was able to get it all said and done in around 4 hours. Of course i didnt replace my O-rings on my injectors so they leaked :toilet: So I had to pulled apart the upper manifold again :sobbing: But after I did the the issue was solved.

 

[BlackRustBucket]

Wow!!!! I need to to this badly. Thanks for scaring the shit out of me though prior to starting.

Ive been putting this off for quite some time and my 2000 is starting to run very poorly..... especially on inclines. It struggles. No bueno.

The write up looks awesome and I look forward to having my laptop in the engine compartment with me at all times once I start. Ugh this looks like so much fun.

Thanks again to all who shared info. I cant wait to get started.
Curt

Thanks! It's really not too bad of a job. Just takes some time. GL, you'll be fine :thumb:

 

[BlackRustBucket]

Just finished up this job as well as valve cover gaskets/seals/etc.

THANK YOU for the write up and pictures. This job wasn't fun to begin with so adding the time and effort to document the process so well is greatly appreciated. :reddance:

Nice! I need to ask the magic question now...which sensors were in there and what did you replace them with? And your welcome, the reward of hearing how it's helped others out was well worth the effort. Thanks!

 

[BlackRustBucket]

Well I replaced my sensors and this writeup made me feel much more confident about it. Putting things back together was pretty easy, so even though its a lot to do just tackle it one bite at a time and you will be done faster than you think. I got the replacement quoted at 3 different shops and they all said it would be 16 hours of labor plus parts which was about $2000 all together. I was able to get it all said and done in around 4 hours. Of course i didnt replace my O-rings on my injectors so they leaked :toilet: So I had to pulled apart the upper manifold again :sobbing: But after I did the the issue was solved.

Very happy to hear about your success! $2000?! holy crap...That's nuts. Yeah hindsight's 20/20 but I guess doing injector o-rings right off the bat is best. I guess it's possible to do everything without pulling them but then you'd have that whole manifold flopping on-top of everything your trying to do the whole time so I dunno ha. Glad to hear it all worked out in the end. Do you remember which sensors you had? STILLLL waiting for time to go back into mine to replace with denso's and do my cam seals. Write-up was made with no kids. Now I have a 2 1/2 yr old and 8 mo. old lol. Don't quite have the free time I had before but i'll get to it. Thanks for the post

 

[Clark27]

Nice! I need to ask the magic question now...which sensors were in there and what did you replace them with? And your welcome, the reward of hearing how it's helped others out was well worth the effort. Thanks!

Replaced with genuine OEM Denso and have had no issues so far! Didn't even look at what I pulled out but I saved them and will look at them when I get home.

 

[absalom]

I mean obviously these are fake, right ... ?

 

[spartacus]

I mean obviously these are fake, right ... ?

they are not compatible with 3rd gen t4r.

 

[absalom]

they are not compatible with 3rd gen t4r.

It's the same part number as what's listed on Toyota's website. It's possible that the seller didn't take the time to line up every vehicle's compatibility.

 

[spartacus]

It's the same part number as what's listed on Toyota's website. It's possible that the seller didn't take the time to line up every vehicle's compatibility.

toyota pn is different
Toyota 89615-12040 SENSOR, knock
Toyota 89615-12050 SENSOR, knock I think this the one on ebay
I think you are right they are fake.

 

[absalom]

toyota pn is different
Toyota 89615-12040 SENSOR, knock
Toyota 89615-12050 SENSOR, knock I think this the one on ebay
I think you are right they are fake.

 

[spartacus]

Toyota Part No.: 89615-12050
SENSOR, KNOCK CONTROL

Toyota 89615-12050 SENSOR, KNOCK CONTROL

Replaced By 89615-12090

Its a lot of work to replace the knock sensors and if I was doing the sensors I would in my opinion replace the harness too. if it were me I would buy these from a reputable toyota oem parts site. I buy parts throught toyotapartsdeal their price excluding g shipping is 161.90 per sensor

 

[Rock_Rat]

It's the same part number as what's listed on Toyota's website. It's possible that the seller didn't take the time to line up every vehicle's compatibility.

A little late to the party. Haven't been on here much. These are compatible with our 3rd Gens. They damn sure look like the genuine sensor...but the price tells me different.

Take a look at my comparison pics in this post.

Rock Rat's Knock Sensors

 

[20024runner]

Help! I need to buy the Intake gaskets lower and upper?

Hey guys, buying parts to take to my mechanic to fix my knock sensors. I have the knock sensors (2) and (1) wiring harness on the way. I need upper and lower intake gaskets, right? Where can I buy these in stock online and get them in a week?

Thanks so much. Car noobie here.

JB

 

[marcus clarkus]

Hey guys, buying parts to take to my mechanic to fix my knock sensors. I have the knock sensors (2) and (1) wiring harness on the way. I need upper and lower intake gaskets, right? Where can I buy these in stock online and get them in a week?

Thanks so much. Car noobie here.

JB

I used these and have had no issues:
https://www.amazon.com/Fel-Pro-MS95898-Manifold-Gasket-Set/dp/B000C2GFIC
I bought them off Rock Auto because they were cheaper and I don't always like spring the Amazon overlords, but in this case I bet Amazon will be faster.


Other stuff I bought for doing this job:
- 2 knock sensors
- knock sensors harness
- Toyota red coolant (from dealership)
- Fuel pressure regulator o-ring (not necessary if you disconnect the fuel line further away)
- Fuel rail banjo bolt crush washers, qty: 6 (Pn 9043012026, I think I bought them at the dealership)
- injector o-rings

 

[RS Dude]

Just finished my knock sensors. Turned out it was the harness that was bad. My original knock sensors were Matsushitas, which tested as good. Replaced them with a set of Densos for $50.00 off ebay and an OEM harness for about $22.00. I think now you can get the Densos for as little as $25.00 per set off ebay!:reddance: