Awhile ago when I was installing my headers I broke a sensor on the passenger side of the engine. It was in a blue casing and it was like right in the middle of the block. The wire ripped right out. I've been driving the car around for about a month and haven't had any problems and it doesn't throw a code. I just remembered that I did this when I was changing my oil today. Any idea what the sensor is and if I should bother replacing it?

 

Killogy,

That sounds like the detonation sensor (knock sensor) used by the EST to adjust timing. Without a working sensor, your timing advance may be retarded to the point where you are losing power. It's odd, however, that there is no error code, since a "missing" sensor will generally set a code. If it is still electrically connected and simply mechanically broken, the EST could still be getting the expected load, and the only problem would be the ECM not detecting harmful detonation.

 

i cant see how not having knock sensor connected would affect timing when it only would if the sensor detected knocking(pinging)

also, if you have swapped the ESC distributor for an older non ECM controlled one then you wont need knock sensor anyways

if you need one cant find a deal on one anywhere then i have one off of an 81 305 with ESC system i could send to you


good luck

 

Ehhh...sorry guys, it was just the fan switch. It was on the head now that I look at it, not the block. But thanks anyway, now at least I know where my knock sensor is