Long story short(ish). I believe its at least likely that my problem is the wiring harness for the knock sensors. I've read and read and read all the threads about this, and I think I've gotta dive in. The problem is I'm in Peru, and can't get OEM Toyota parts for this (well, not in a reasonable timeline or price). It seems like by bet bet is to just order from rock auto, and while I always pay the extra price to get actual Toyota OEM parts from Toyota, I'm a believer in that being well worth the higher price. But that just doesn't seem that realistic this point. It seems like the main thing that I can't makeshift down here is the gaskets. But I can get a kit with all of them from victor reinz, and from what I've read seems like they're pretty legit, but any thoughts? And if I'm placing that order, I figured I might as well order the wiring harness as well, as my other option would be to have someone local build up the harness with the old connectors. AAAnd I'm thinking of getting just one sensor. It says its a nippondenso, and is only $40 as apposed to the $200 from a dealer. I know that those rarely go out, and its much more likely to just be the harness, but I don't have a shop space or even a drive way here. I'm just parked on the street, so I'd like to at least have an option for whatever might have gone bad, so I can start putting it back together asap. It already seems like a pretty in depth job, mot to mention doing it parallel parked on the street haha.

How stupid is this idea? seems like maybe the only real gamble would be with the actual sensor? but hopefully I won't need it anyway? I'd really appreciate any thoughts on this as I'll be making this order first thing in the morning so I don't have to wait another day for all this. Also, anything else I should order up or be scared of haha?

Thanks a bunch!

 

I can say I played the whole knock sensor game. From my research the sensors themselves rarely go bad, the code is actually for the wiring, not the sensor. I tried a few aftermarket sensors with new wiring and nothing worked. I finally went back to my original '98 sensors and the new harness and everything worked just fine.
You don't need the sensor, just the wiring harness.

 

Awesome! thanks so much, that’s what I needed to hear. I was starting to wonder if I should’ve ordered a sensor also. Just cause i have to wait so long for parts down here. I guess if it does happen to be the one in a thousand of these where it is a sensor, I’d be ordering an oem toyota one anyway.

Couple quick questions though:

-Is there a relatively easy, but very reliable way to test those sensors? I’d rather not put it all back together without knowing for sure the sensor is still good.

-And, any other parts y’all replaced while putting it back together? I’m thinking crush washer on the fuel rail? and of course if there’s a hose or something that’s old and cracked and bad looking.

Thanks again!

 

Never, ever, reuse a crush washer. You unscrew what it's attached to, you replace it. Period. Even if you screw the item down to where it JUST touches the crush washer, and then unscrew it, replace the washer. It takes very little contact to damage the washer. I always get several crush washers for whatever I'm working on. If you have but one washer it will invariably jump out of your hand and vanish before you can install it. ALWAYS replace crush washers.

Obviously, any damaged/decayed/clogged hoses get replaced without hesitation. Even if it appears to have damage of ANY sort, replace the whole thing.

It's a really good idea to replace any gaskets, as well. It doesn't take very long for them to adhere to the metal on one side or another. Replace them. Prevents air leaks, fuel leaks, etc.

Good luck to you!
​​​​​​​Pat☺

 

Not an easy way to test as far as I know. If everything else tests good the sensor is bad....

 

Shoot, that’s what i was worried about. Well thanks for the info, i really appreciate it. the whole thing got put on hold unfortunately though. I broke my elbow (unrelated to the truck) and need surgery right away, so i can’t do anything for at least a few weeks.

But it means i now have time to ship a sensor to me to be ready when you do take it all apart, just don’t wanna spend $200 on something i don’t need…