Have you recently had a problem with your car’s check engine light? It could be a P0328 Code. If that’s the case, you probably have a lot of questions about what this fault means and what to do next.
Read on to find out what a P0328 code really means. What causes it, how serious it is, and most importantly, how to fix it.
What does the P0328 Code mean?
The diagnostic fault P0328 Code means that there is a high input voltage condition in the knock sensor circuit of a car. It looks like the #1 bank knock sensor is damages in this particular DTC. If the car in question has an engine that is set up in a “V” shape.
This input shows that there is a problem with the sensor’s monitoring circuit in general. Which raises questions about the accuracy of the monitoring.
Before you can understand this idea better, you need to know how a knock sensor works. On a general level, the knock sensor works to pick “ping” or “knock” before ignition. Which cause the spark timing to slow down.
It’s possible for these kinds of sensors to pick up other strange sounds. Like those caused by rod knock or piston slap.
In the case of DTC P0328, the ECU of the affected car has found that the input voltage from the bank #1 knock sensor has been higher than what it should be.
Given that most knock sensors use a 5-volt reference circuit, the voltage that wasn’t working right would have stayed on the high end of this range for a long time.
Even though neither a failed knock sensor nor a real pre-ignition event are certain causes of diagnostic fault P0328 Code, they should not be ruled out.
A short-to-power state is often to blame for this kind of fault. Which makes it even more important to carefully check the integrity of the circuit in question.
Signs of Code P0328
There are often a lot of other symptoms along with fault code P0382, some of which can be very obvious. When trying to speed up the whole diagnostic and fix process, being able to spot these signs is often very important.
Here are some of the most common signs that you might have DTC P0328.
- The check engine light is on.
- Strange engine noises (like banging or pinging)
- Less efficient engine operation
- Not stable idle
What Could Cause P0328 Code?
There are several possible reasons for the diagnostic fault P0328 Code. Some of these reasons are easier to figure out than others. Knowing about these possible reasons can help you make a more accurate diagnosis faster and with less work.
Most of the time, a P0328 code is caused by one of the things listed below.
- A broken knock sensor
- Broken Knock sensor wire
- Problems with the information from the knock sensor
- Fuel with the wrong octane number
- Not enough fuel pressure
- Damage inside the engine
- Failure of PCM
Is Code P0328 Serious?
Diagnostic error code P0328 is usually takes very serious because it can mean a number of major problems.
The “best case” possibility is that the knock sensor in the affected vehicle may have simply failed, or the electrical circuit to this sensor may have been hacked. But on the other hand, there might be a real knock, which would mean a more serious problem.
Even if the “knock” or “ping” that is being heard is only caused by pre-ignition, running the engine in this state for a long time can damage or speed up the wear on the engine.
The reason for this is that pre-ignition means that the combustion is not best or most efficient. In turn, this puts too much stress on a number of parts inside the engine.
In any case, the P0328 problem code should be fixed as soon as possible after the cause has been fully identified. By doing this, you might be able to keep the problem from getting worse. If you don’t feel safe doing these kinds of repairs yourself, you should make an appointment with a reputable auto service center as soon as possible.
No matter what the details are, the most important thing is to find and fix the problem that is causing the P0328 error code in your car. Not reacting quickly can help keep the engine from getting hurt.
If you don’t have the right skills or tools to fix this yourself, make an appointment at a reputable service shop as soon as you can.
How to Fix the P0328 Code?
By taking these steps, you can figure out what is wrong with your car that is causing the P0328 code and fix it. But before you try to fix something yourself, you should always check the factory service instructions to find out the exact make and model.
1: look for more DTCs.
Use a scan tool to see if there are any other DTCs before you start the troubleshooting process. Any such codes that are recorded should be fully analyzed before moving on.
2: Check the Knock Sensor and Mounting
First, carefully look over your car’s knock sensor for any signs of damage. Also, check the knock sensor and make sure it is mounts correctly and that the fixing is tight before moving on.
3: Check the wiring for damage
Next, all the wire that goes to the damaged knock sensor should be carefully checked for damage. In the same way, the connector for the knock sensor should be checked to make sure it is tight enough and free of rust.
4: Make sure the engine is whole.
After this, you will need to make sure that your car’s engine hasn’t had any kind of internal mechanical failure. Check the amount of the engine’s coolant and oil. Make sure that they are not mix.
Next, start the engine and rev it a few times while you carefully listen for strange sounds. Any strange noises you hear look into in great detail.
5: Look at the freeze frame data
Look at the freeze frame data for this fault if there are no other problems that can be seen. Check all the connected PIDs to the knock sensor for clear problems. Copy the shown conditions.
6: Use a meter to check the knock sensor
It can be hard to test a knock sensor directly, but there are a few things that can be done to make sure the sensor works in general.
To make sure there is continuity, you can use a voltmeter to measure between the two wires that are connected to this sensor. A broken sensor would show a lack of consistency.
These two wires can also be back-probed and checked one at a time with the multimeter’s positive lead while they are connected to a solid ground. The best range for this kind of sensor’s output is from 0V to 4.9V.
