DTC P0326: Knock Sensor Circuit Malfunction: General Description

Fig 1: Identifying Knock Sensor Ceramic Element And Weight

Fig 2: Knock Sensor Signal Strength Versus Engine Speed Graph

A nonresonant type of knock sensor is used, and it is mounted on the cylinder block to detect engine knocking. Vibration from engine combustion causes the torus-shaped weight to compress the ceramic element in the nonresonant knock sensor, and converts it into electrical signals. The powertrain control module (PCM) controls the ignition timing according to the electrical signal level. If the signal level from the knock sensor drops for a set time because of a poor connection at the knock sensor, or a bad sensor, the PCM detects a malfunction and stores a DTC.