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Knock Sensor: Testing and Inspection






Diagnostic Procedures



Knock Sensors, Checking

Contact surfaces between knock sensor and cylinder block must be free of corrosion, dirt and grease.

To ensure problem-free function of knock sensors, it is important that torque specification of 20 Nm be adhered to exactly.

Use only gold-plated terminals when servicing terminals in harness connector of knock sensors.

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

Hand multimeter (V.A.G 1526) or Multimeter (V.A.G 1715)

Test adapter kit (V.A.G 1594)

Wiring diagram

Test Conditions

The Ground (GND) connections between engine and body must be OK.

Knock sensor screws tightened to 20 Nm.

Ignition switched off.

Test Sequence

Cylinder bank 1

- Disconnect corresponding 3-pin harness connector from Knock Sensor (KS):





1 Knock Sensor (KS) 1 (G61)
Color identification: white
f For exhaust bank 1 of cylinders 1, 2 and 3
2 Knock Sensor (KS) 2 (G66)
Color identification: Gray
f For exhaust bank 2 of cylinders 4, 5 and 6

The 3-pin harness connectors are located above torque converter housing and are only accessible after lowering the subassembly.

Cylinder bank 2

- Disconnect corresponding 3-pin harness connector from Knock Sensor (KS):





1 Knock Sensor 3 (G198)
Color identification: brown
f For exhaust bank 3 of cylinders 7, 8 and 9
2 Knock sensor 4 (G199)
Color identification: black
f For exhaust bank 4 of cylinders 10, 11 and 12

Cylinder bank 1 and 2

Before disconnecting harness connectors, mark allocation to component.

Cylinder bank 1 with cylinders 1 through 6 is located at right in direction of travel.

Cylinder bank 2 with cylinders 7 through 12 is located at left in direction of travel.

Checking resistances

- Check resistance between terminals 1 + 2, 1 + 3 and 2 + 3 at the connections to the respective knock sensors. Specification: infinite ohms





If specification is not obtained:

- Replace respective knock sensor:

Knock sensors 1 and 2 for cylinder bank 1

Knock sensors 3 and 4 for cylinder bank 2.

- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module => [ Diagnostic Mode 04 - Erase DTC Memory ] Diagnostic Modes 01 - 09, Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data.

- Generate readiness code => [ Readiness Code, Generating ] Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes.

If specification is obtained:

- Check wires to Engine Control Module according to wiring diagram.

Checking wires to Engine Control Module 1

Cylinder bank 1

- Connect test box to Engine Control Module (ECM) (J623) wiring harness on connecting test box for wiring test.

Cylinder bank 2

- Connect test box to Engine Control Module (ECM) 2 (J624) wiring harness on connecting test box for wiring test.

Cylinder bank 1 and 2

- Check wires between test box and 3-pin connector to Engine Control Module (ECM) for open circuit according to wiring diagram. Wiring resistance: max. 1.5 ohms





Cylinder bank 1





Cylinder bank 2





Cylinder bank 1 and 2

- Check wires for short circuit to each other. Terminal 1 + Socket 99 specified value: infinite ohms

- Erase DTC memory of Engine Control Module(ECM) => [ Diagnostic Mode 04 - Erase DTC Memory ] Diagnostic Modes 01 - 09, Diagnostic mode 4: Reset/erase diagnostic data.

- Generate readiness code => [ Readiness Code, Generating ] Monitors, Trips, Drive Cycles and Readiness Codes.

If no malfunction is detected in the wiring:

Cylinder bank 1

- Replace Engine Control Module (ECM) (J623).

Cylinder bank 2

- Replace Engine Control Module (ECM) 2 (J624).