I have an 02 Highlander with 170,000 miles on on it and it started throwing a CEL for me along with the entry into safe mode on the engine. Checked it with my OBDII scanner and it said p0330, knock sensor left bank.

I bought replacement Denso Toyota knock sensors, a Toyota compatible wiring harness and a new gasket. All of these were installed by my technically capable ase certified mechanic. I am still receiving the same error code about 5 to 10 miles into a drive after this installation.

The ground wire and circuit wire still are within acceptable voltage levels, my reliable independent mechanic tested those. Someone has suggested to me on justanswer that I should consider directly connecting the harness wires to the ECM module to resolve this.

My independent mechanic suggested replacing the ECM out right. The Toyota dealership suggested replacing the entire main engine harness. I definitely don't want to do that latter option given the tremendous cost.

Would hard wiring the knock sensors to the ECM be a feasible way to resolve this problem or is the ECM likely needing to be replaced given the symptoms?

 

Only about 2 things tend to take out the ECM Getting wet and voltage spikes Did either of these happen??

Test ECM you could borrow??

Sometimes connections corrode yet the reading with the meter is within specs. Then they also look good to the naked eye.

Did you test your knock sensor it failed the test??

I would look real hard at the connection plug on the truck harness side.

Before spending big bucks for no gain.

Till you run a wire direct to the ECM may as well just fix the problem.

 

I put in a brand new harness along with the brand new knock sensors. No the ECM did not get wet, of which I am certain, nor did it have any voltage spikes as far as I am aware. I did not test the old knock sensors. My mechanic took them out and replaced them I figured at that time that they were probably due for replacement as the oxygen sensors were at approximately 130,000 miles.

Toyota dealership mechanics went over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb yesterday and concluded it might be the entire wiring harness or some part of it. I was not inclined to go along with their suggested installation of that new part given the heavy costs involved in terms of item and labor