Knock Sensor Damage due to Heat

NG329 · 07-20-2022, 08:28 AM

At the track on Monday my buddy in his SS race car started throwing codes. I cleared it for him and it came back. Turned out it was his knock sensor. On the way home from the track mine started acting up too. hahahahaha WTF?!

Upon further investigation we found that those GENIUSES at GM located the knock sensors right on the block with no ventilation whatsoever. A recipe for disaster when we're flat out on the race track in 90*F heat with 75% humidity. hahahahaha

I ordered replacement sensors but then realized, hey' let me just disable the damn things in HP Tuners. Problem solved. hahahahaha

Anybody else run into this?

Camaro1973 · 07-20-2022, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NG329

At the track on Monday my buddy in his SS race car started throwing codes. I cleared it for him and it came back. Turned out it was his knock sensor. On the way home from the track mine started acting up too. hahahahaha WTF?!

Upon further investigation we found that those GENIUSES at GM located the knock sensors right on the block with no ventilation whatsoever. A recipe for disaster when we're flat out on the race track in 90*F heat with 75% humidity. hahahahaha

I ordered replacement sensors but then realized, hey' let me just disable the damn things in HP Tuners. Problem solved. hahahahaha

Anybody else run into this?

Disable them temporarily but don’t leave them like that. That’s a sure way to damage your motor.

Juniorss · 07-20-2022, 01:12 PM

Keep those knock sensors off and you will most likely be buying an engine at some point.

Evansa22 · 07-20-2022, 01:17 PM

Had the same issue with the knock sensor. Replaced them both then wrapped the sensor and wires with dei heat sleeving, then slapped the stock heat shield on top of that. No issues so far

laynlo15 · 07-20-2022, 01:48 PM

Assuming its the one close to the starter and if you have headers it makes it worse. Wrap everything including the starter.

Katech_Zach · 07-20-2022, 02:14 PM

Is your car modified? Are you sure its the sensor's fault?

Most people who do exhaust work don't spend a lot of time making sure there is plenty of protection for surrounding wires/sensors/etc.

If you have headers, I would highly suggest double checking wiring. It only takes one melted wire to short a circuit.

NG329 · 07-20-2022, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laynlo15

Assuming its the one close to the starter and if you have headers it makes it worse. Wrap everything including the starter.

Yes it's one just above the starter motor. Quick question, when you replaced it, were you able to reach it or did you have to start taking stuff apart to get to it.

I'm going to leave it turned off until my headers arrive and when we do the headers I'll go ahead and replace the sensors. Wrapping it will be a must.

My car is stock other than a tune, CAI, and Flex Fuel. It was sweltering hot and I duffed up everybody at the track so I guess that's the price to pay when...... fast!

hahahahahaha

Evansa22 · 07-20-2022, 03:12 PM

You can get to the sensor by taking off the heat shield on the starter. Or at least I was able to with headers on, not sure about stock manifolds

07-20-2022, 08:28 AM	#1
NG329 Drives: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: NY Posts: 702	Knock Sensor Damage due to Heat At the track on Monday my buddy in his SS race car started throwing codes. I cleared it for him and it came back. Turned out it was his knock sensor. On the way home from the track mine started acting up too. hahahahaha WTF?! Upon further investigation we found that those GENIUSES at GM located the knock sensors right on the block with no ventilation whatsoever. A recipe for disaster when we're flat out on the race track in 90*F heat with 75% humidity. hahahahaha I ordered replacement sensors but then realized, hey' let me just disable the damn things in HP Tuners. Problem solved. hahahahaha Anybody else run into this?

07-20-2022, 01:12 PM	#3
Juniorss Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 78 View My Garage	Keep those knock sensors off and you will most likely be buying an engine at some point. __________________ 2022 SS 1LE - Summit White 2023 ZL1 On Order (Unless I supercharge the 1LE first...)

07-20-2022, 01:48 PM	#5
laynlo15 Drives: 2022 Lt1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: clark, mo Posts: 8,860	Assuming its the one close to the starter and if you have headers it makes it worse. Wrap everything including the starter. __________________ 2022 Lt1 6.2 A10, Maggie 2300, THPSI Port Inj/10 rib, Rotofab, E, Nickey, SCOL, Griptech, RC Bandits, Hoosiers/MT 9.80@142.96 1.44 60ft, 6.34@112 707/669 RWHP/TRQ. 16SS Maggie 2650 9.41@147 1.35 60ft, 5.99@119. 16 C7 A8 10.90@128 Bolt on stuff

07-20-2022, 01:17 PM	#4
Evansa22 Drives: HBM ZLE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: In the garage Posts: 805	Had the same issue with the knock sensor. Replaced them both then wrapped the sensor and wires with dei heat sleeving, then slapped the stock heat shield on top of that. No issues so far

07-20-2022, 02:14 PM	#6
Katech_Zach Drives: 14 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Clinton Twp, MI Posts: 483	Is your car modified? Are you sure its the sensor's fault? Most people who do exhaust work don't spend a lot of time making sure there is plenty of protection for surrounding wires/sensors/etc. If you have headers, I would highly suggest double checking wiring. It only takes one melted wire to short a circuit.

07-20-2022, 03:12 PM	#8
Evansa22 Drives: HBM ZLE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: In the garage Posts: 805	You can get to the sensor by taking off the heat shield on the starter. Or at least I was able to with headers on, not sure about stock manifolds

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