Comments on: BMW E36 Knock Sensors

By: Tony Sticks

Tony Sticks — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:25:29 +0000

@Herman: Ah… I see. Good luck with the knock sensor #2 replacement. It’s a real hard job to do.

By: Herman

Herman — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:30:33 +0000

Thanks Tony, I made a typo with 1446, should be 1226. Now I realize that
I have to remove the manifold (not just the upper part) to get to
the #2 knock sensor. That’s a job I should plan carefully before proceeding.
On an other note, the intermittent check engine light and high fuel consumption,
which made me look up the OBD-1 code in the first place, turned out to be the
Oxygen Sensor, in use for the last 200.036 KM.

By: Tony Sticks

Tony Sticks — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:57:18 +0000

@Herman: The M42 engine has 2 knock sensors only. One for cylinder#1&2 and the other for 3&4. The error code that you should be looking for is either code 1225 or 1226 for knock sensor 1 or 2 respectively. I hope this helps.

By: Herman

Herman — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:17:01 +0000

@Tony and the other experts here: How many knock sensors are there on a E36 M42 (318iS Oct/1995) engine ??
I can see the one close to the front on the left (I guess for Cyl 1-2). I removed the top of the intake manifold.
Looking down from the top and side, I cannot see something that makes out a second knock sensor.
The OBD-I shows code 1446 which is knock sensor for Cyl# 2-3.
Thanks…

By: Tony Sticks

Tony Sticks — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:55:18 +0000

@Libour: Honestly, replacing the knock sensor didn't solve the problem completely but it definitely enhanced the idle. From your description, you say that you're getting errors for lambda sensor and vacuum leaks. So, I suggest you keep looking there. I also suggest checking the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) and Cleaning your BMW E36 ICV (Idle Control Valve). Replacing the knock sensor(s) is NOT an easy task and you should be 100% sure it's not working before replacing it.

By: Libour

Libour — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:14:45 +0000

Hi everyone,
I have got the same trouble with my e36 318iS. But there is no error which is related to knock sensors in diagnostic. sometime there is only error of vacuum leak and lambda sensor. My mechanist has tried to replace both – all the intake manifold and lambda sensor. It was still the same. He doesn’t belive me it could relate with the knock sensor. What do you think about? Tony, have you already got rid your problem completly of? If you have, what was the problem? thank you for any comments! Libour

By: Guetzer

Guetzer — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:52:01 +0000

Sure man! no problem hope it works!

By: Tony Sticks

Tony Sticks — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:24:05 +0000

@Guetzer: Mine doesn’t. I will try to replace it and see if that helps…. thanks anyway for the help.

By: Guetzer

Guetzer — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:26:31 +0000

Yeah, my camshaft sensor gave an error on the diagnosis.

By: Tony Sticks

Tony Sticks — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:50:20 +0000

@Johnny: My email address is tonysticks *AT* bmwe36blog *DOT* com