I have a 88 pickup with the 3vze engine. My Check Engine light came on with a knock sensor code. I have already replaced the sensor and still have the light. I do have a ticking in the engine which is causing the sensor to retard the timing. So my truck has lost almost all power. what could be the cause of the ticking and why does the knock sensor code only come on when the RPM's are starting to climb.

 

No. That ticking has nothing to do with the ECU retarding the timing. When you get code 52, it means the ECU "hasn't heard from" the knock sensor. Since the ECU doesn't know whether the engine is knocking (which could blow a hole in a piston) or not, it dramatically retards timing to save the engine.

You dug all the way in there to replace the knock sensor, and yet you never even looked up the code?

Code 52: With engine speed between 1,600 rpm – 5,200 rpm, signal from knock sensor is not input to ECM for 6 revolution. (KNK)

Your problem is almost certainly a bad "pigtail" between the knock sensor itself and the connector just outside the lower intake manifold. It's in a hellish environment, and at the age of our trucks they fail. It's a dealer item, though they show up in the aftermarket, and not too expensive. http://www.yotashop.com/knock-sensor...nes-1992-1995/ The knock sensor itself is very tough and rarely fails. So you're going to need to take the lower intake manifold off again.

While there is no guarantee that your problem is not elsewhere (if the wire from the pigtail to the ECU is damaged as well, for instance), this is the most likely fix.

 

Thank you, I checked the code is how I knew what the problem was. the Toyota shop around my area said that the wire was no longer a part you could get when I fixed everything. and I looked everywhere for one so I built my own for it when I put it back together.

 

PNC: 82219A P/N: 82219-89103 Wire, Sensor is likely what you need and it's available from Toyota.

Does it look like this:
http://www.yotashop.com/knock-sensor...1-82219-89103/

 

Thanks to rworegon's retrieval of the part code, I find this site says it fits (roughly) 1988-92, and costs $11.55 (plus shipping, and I've never ordered from them, they just have one of the handier websites for this purpose).

If "looked everywhere" means you went to Autozone, O'Reilly's and Napa, I'm not surprised you didn't find it. If you go to the dealer, do yourself (and the counter-man) a big favor: write down your VIN. It's makes a big difference in getting the right part.

 

I went to all those I also went and carried the vin and was told it was something they could no longer get. I was told to hunt a junk yard for the wire. but I think yall for the assistance on the issue. Thank you rworegon to the part number and where to look.

 

I wager you can get it through your local Toyota dealer with the VIN. If not, something is amiss at the dealer IMHO.

Here is a online Toyota dealer where you can get it:
http://www.toyomotorparts.com/parts/...re-sensor.html

Possibly, this wire was never available at the corner part store.