QuestionQUESTION: Nigel,
I have a 2002 Freelander. The Service Engine Soon light keeps coming on.
Knock Sensor code P0327 keeps coming up. Dealer says they solved the
problem but the minute I do moderate acceleration, light comes on usually
after few miles. I went to independent mechanic, he says try higher octane
gas, he cleared the code, I tried 89 octane, light comes on. Dealer says
change knock sensor costing $750 because they have to remove plastic
plenum. When talking to dealer and and indie mechanic, I can tell they are
scratching their heads. I already paid dealer $500 to change vacuum hose
and plastic throttle intake. Any other ideas before I go broke? I cannot
register car until the light is off.
ANSWER: I would need some more information. Is the engine running hot or using coolant? Is it noisy when running? Are the radiator fans running when the engine is on? Usually a knock sensor comes on when there is detonation(heat)or a knock (sometimes from a worn cam pulley).
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QUESTION: The engine is not running hot. It is not using coolant. It is not noisy. No
detectable knocking noise. I took the car to my regular foreign mechanic one
year ago because there was some coolant on my driveway. He said it was the
waterpump. He replaced waterpump and timing belt(s). When I got it back
the service engine soon light came on. I replaced the vacuum hoses and both
02 sensors. The light still stays on. When I clear the code (P0327 knock
sensor 1 low). It stays off for about 20 miles or so. With moderate
acceleration after a while, the light comes back on. I am now 1 month late in
registering the car. The Independent British mechanic near me ordered the 2
knock sensors today. I even cleared the code and put 89 octane fuel to see if
that helped. It didn't. I guess next week, the mechanic has scheduled
surgery to remove plastic plenum so he get to those knock sensors. Thanks
for any help. Thanks for your reply.
ANSWER: I looked up the specific code you are getting and it indicates a low input from the computer to the sensor. This could be a disturbed connector or broken wiring. Very often wiring gets broken when rodents chew through it. You might want to check the connection and wiring before replacing the sensor.
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QUESTION: Nigel, FYI and this is weird. I took the Freelander into the Independent Land
Rover Mechanic today. He said I have 5 codes that came up: P0171, P1471,
P1472, P0327 and one other related to VIS motor. In any case, he suggested
replacing the entire plastic plenum and sensor 1. He said this would be
costly. The car seems to run fine, no knock, good power, but after clearing
code it comes back after a few miles when accelerating with force. This car
has me and the mechanic baffled and can't think of anything else to do but
try things piece by piece until the light goes away for good. Mike
AnswerP0171 indicates a lean condition, normally an air leak. P1471 and P1472 indicate the intake manifold flap motor is stuck. If the flaps are rattling, as they sometimes do, it could bring on the knock sensor code with low background noise. Flap motors are available as a separate item if this is the only problem.
Failure of the intake manifold is, however, quite common on this car. The intake manifold is covered by warranty under Federal Emissions law for 8 years, 80k miles. If your car is over that mileage, I do have a used assembly if you want to save some money.
