What Is a Knock Sensor?
by Louise BalleIf you feel an unusual knocking in your car, especially at high speeds, the problem may be a faulty knock sensor. This is an important engine part that serves two main purposes.
Identification
A knock sensor is a knob-like part that is linked to the car's engine. As the name implies, it senses knocks in the engine. Wells Manufacturing, a company that produces knock sensors, likens the sound of an engine knock to marbles against metal.
Monitoring
One of the purposes of a knock sensor is to monitor the performance of the engine. If there is a problem, the knock sensor will send a signal to the PCM (Powertrain Control Module--the car's computer).
Protection
Knock sensors also protect car parts from the damaging effects of engine knock. When a knock sensor is bad, it can't regulate the engine properly. The car vibrates and it sounds like there is something banging up against the car's cylinder. The knocking action can destroy the pistons, rods, valves, gaskets and plugs.
Gas Mileage
A knock sensor is important to a car's fuel efficiency. It helps the car balance its timing and fuel-to-air mix, which optimizes the amount of power to the engine.
Considerations
Failure to replace a bad knock sensor over an extended period of time can possibly lead to extensive and expensive damage to the engine.
References
Writer Bio
Louise Balle has been writing Web articles since 2004, covering everything from business promotion to topics on beauty. Her work can be found on various websites. She has a small-business background and experience as a layout and graphics designer for Web and book projects.
