BMW Repair: 1992 318I E36, knock sensor, control test

Question
ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THE CODE IS 1286 = KNOCK CONTROL TEST PULSE. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE ON HOW TO REPAIR IT MYSELF. DO I NEED TO REPLACE OR CLEAN A PART? IF SO, WHERE WOULD I FIND IT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE. BY THE WAY, THE "ENGINE LIGHT" TURNS ON AND OFF. IT DOES NOT STAY ON ALL THE TIME. WOULD THIS CAR BE SAFE TO DRIVE OR SHOULD I BE WORRIED?

Answer
the knock sensor adjusts the timing when it gets a knock within a certain frequency.  so, if you drive the car with it faulty for tooo long (a year) eventually the extra stress will prematurely wear the engine down.  I'm not sure where it is on your car; it's somewhere on the block.  check the haynes or chilton manual to be sure.  the knock senson will need to be replaced.
-cheers
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