Whats up? Just a quick question, what is the thing that plugs into the wiring harness that looks like a little silver capsule that screws into the engine block above the starter near a freeze plug. It's maybe 1" tall, 1/2" in diameter and looks to be some sort of resistor or something. I screwed mine up when I was pulling my engine and need to know what it is I'm looking for when I'm trying to find a new one.....Thanks

knock detector

Originally posted by ez
knock detector

Nope. Not if it is this:




That is a stupid little capacitor. It's a noise suppression capacitor...
It basically stops noise and whine from your engine electronics, i.e. plugs, plug wires and alternator, from getting into the wiring or from being picked up as a whine by your stereo...

Originally posted by djtrickee

Originally posted by ez knock detector

Nope. Not if it is this: That is a stupid little capacitor. It's a noise suppression capacitor... It basically stops noise and whine from your engine electronics, i.e. plugs, plug wires and alternator, from getting into the wiring or from being picked up as a whine by your stereo...

Always wondered what that was myself.

Then I've been misinformed. We had a pic of that cap on here a long time ago, and someone stated it was a mic for knock detection. I've been thinking it was that ever since. :scratch

The Knock sensor is on the back side of the block....and screws right into the block itself. FYI, in case you didn't know ;)

*edit*

For the original poster. you may get lucky and not notice a difference. I burned the wire off mine about "2 minutes" after I turboed my car and have drove it like that for about 3 years. I have one sitting in my cup holder but just haven't invested the one minute that it would take to put it on.

I have heard that it can cause problems like DJ said though. Good luck.

i broke mine off when i did the 3.55 trans swap never had a problem after it broke either

Sweet, I guess I'll see if it runs alright without it. Thanks for the help!

Just some additional input. I lost this piece back in 05 during my engine build and never bothered to get another one. I haven't noticed a difference at all, nor do I ever hear a whine through my stereo.


http://www.dsmregistry.com/detail.php?carid=1185

this thing is making my idle rpm's dance, when i move the wires around on it, it stops. has anyone else had this problem?

Originally posted by sean_m_2004
this thing is making my idle rpm's dance, when i move the wires around on it, it stops. has anyone else had this problem?

Interesting, so this does have some effect on the RPM signal. I wonder if this has anything to do with the inconsistent signal spikes people get with the latest MS board version. Hmm...

i disconnected it today and the car seems to be running fine now. these nt 2gnt's are finniky.

Yes I second that its a knock sensor, not much happens if you take it off but its sensitive to vibration and will be set off periodically as a engine ages ( parts rock around a bit, wall slap a and such)

Originally posted by Noogabox
Yes I second that its a knock sensor, not much happens if you take it off but its sensitive to vibration and will be set off periodically as a engine ages ( parts rock around a bit, wall slap a and such)

Not a knock sensor. This has already been solved in this thread. It is a simple capacitor for engine noise in the engine bay harness.

Not a knock sensor.

That the first time Ive even seen it on a block, usually its located on the driver side of the valve cover, at least on the cars Ive seen. Maybe the location has somethign to do with build dates :dunno:

If its not a knock sensor then can it be moved to a better location?

On my 95 Talon that capacitor was on the valve cover. One of the wires that connects to the capacitor ended up touching the valve cover and melting all the insulation on the wire. The bare wire ending up grounding out on the valve cover and blowing my Main Engine fuse and causing my car not to start. So you might want to be carefull if any wires or tirminals are exposed.