Both knock sensors bad at once according to CEL codes

[Phat1842Many]

Hey guys,

I did a search an not much comes up for "knock sensor". I first noticed the CEL was on when I started the truck up two weeks ago. I ordered a bluetooth adapter so I could use my android phone to pull the code(s). I did that today and I got:

P0325 - Knock Sensor Bank 1
P0330 - Knock Sensor Bank 2

Both sensors went bad or something happened to the wiring at the same time? There was no CEL the last time I used the car so I assume something happened during the few days I wasn't using it.

Couple things I'm thinking right now: There were some chewed up nuts on the intake manifold a month ago. Maybe a critter likes my engine bay and chewed on just those wires? Reading the FSM, the sensors are located in the V between the cylinder banks. Could a squirrel/rat fit in there?

My big Q: If I have to get at the sensors or some toe-up wires, do I really have to pull the intake manifold?!? I looked at that job and that's a HUGE pita to get at some sensors/wires. Or is it classic Toyota FSM where all I really need to do is stand on my head and use a clever tool to do the same job?

Power is noticeably lower at higher rpms (retarded ignition, right?) Besides that, I have to bring this thing in to the French authorities soon to see if they'll allow me to keep it in the country. I'll be going nowhere fast if I roll in with a code already up.

Thanks for any ideas.

Phat-

Posing after doing some pretty muddy random trail near Aurignac, France. Was in Low with the center locked for most of it but actually had to use the rear locker for the first time to get up one of the steeper parts.

 

[Sandroad]

It's almost certainly rodents chewed the wires to the sensors, given your description and symptoms. In fact, there may be a mouse nest in there right now if you haven't looked. The sensors are under the intake manifold and there's plenty of room for mice to get in an out (and larger animals like squirrels too). The manifold has to come off to replace the sensors. Friend of mine just had this happen to his 4.7L and it was few hundred dollars (US) in parts and labor.

 

[Phat1842Many]

Yes, a rat can fit in there. And yes, while the truck sat unused for a few days, they made a nest.

Here's a picture of the wires to both knock sensors chewed off right at the base. You can see that one wire is chewed back a ways.

Pulling the manifold was a 2 banana job and only needed the most basic of tools. It took about three hours going slow and didn't involve draining any fluids.

Here's most of what I pulled out from the "V". Looks like they made a nice home for themselves and in classic french tradition the rats ate snails

Tomorrow I'll see if I can repair the wires.

Cheers

Phat-

 

[Phat1842Many]

Everything is in working order now with the codes cleared and staying away. Here's a pic heavy write up on the surgery for anyone who has to do this. Thankfully the sensors were fine so the rats cost me nothing but some time and solder.

What we're starting with - The white part of the connector gives some resistance but comes right out without any tricks.

The orientation of the copper connector:

Once the white plastic bit is out, put the driver in the gap and push down on the tab while leveraging it up to get the female part sliding. Yes, I said that.

 

[Phat1842Many]

When you solder on the new wire, be sure to leave some room for the waterproof sleeve to fit back where the clamps hold it secure.

Here the shrink wrap is only butted up against the water proof plug. I should have done that before putting the plug in the clamps so now I don't have full waterproofing or the strain relief.

Before install - I wish I had some heat tube to use instead of this ghetto-rig. It ended up putting a little bit of strain on the connections.

 

[Phat1842Many]

You'll have to take this connector off. It was a pita; just get it slid off the metal tab first and then fight with it. Note that the white wire is for the p.s. bank, black for d.s.

I made the wires too long. Measure so You don't have any exposed wire. I had to stuff it in the feed pipe to keep it from possibly melting.

How it looked right before putting everything back together:

Cheers

Phat-

 

[APKhaos]

Nice save - great pics of the connector wrangling too.