FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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P0327

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The powertrain control module (PCM) uses a knock sensor (KS) in order to detect engine detonation. The knock sensor produces an AC signal at all engine speeds, and loads. The PCM adjusts to the spark timing that is based on the amplitude and on the frequency of the KS signal.

The PCM uses the knock sensor in order to determine the amount of normal engine noise for a wide range of engine speeds and loads. The PCM compares the actual knock sensor signal to the learned noise channel. The PCM uses the noise channel in order to diagnose the knock sensor and the related wiring. If the PCM detects a loss of the noise channel, this diagnostic trouble code (DTC) will set.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC
^ The engine speed is more than 3,000 RPM.
^ The system voltage is more than 11 volts.

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
The PCM detects a KS signal that is out of the calibrated range.

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS
^ The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
^ The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC
^ The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
^ A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
^ A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
^ Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
If the conditions is intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions. Intermittent Conditions

TEST DESCRIPTION

Steps 1-2:




Steps 3-13:




The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
2. This step ensures the malfunction is present.
3. This step ensures that the KS is capable of detecting detonation and producing a signal.
7. If the KS signal wire is shorted to ground or shorted to voltage, the KS may still produce a signal.
8. If the KS signal low reference is shorted to ground, or shorted to voltage, the KS may still produce a signal.