Got my MCS about two weeks ago (used) and the "Knock" Sensor has come on two times. I work at a dealership (not MINI dealership), and can get the sensor cleared, but does anyone know what it is? Thanks for the help!!

 

Sounds like it's saying you need 91 octane or more gas.

 

i ONLY use Premium (Super...whatever you may call it)...none the less...the BEST!! *sigh* I wonder if it could be the fact that I am pretty sure the dealership that had it most likely was too cheap to use anything but Regular Unleaded. Any other suggestions?

 

IF you gas it a lot, it will detect pre-ignition a lot more often than that! Timing will retard, and life will go on. If they put crappy gas in there, it will happen much more often, but you'll be riding the sensor pretty much whenever you floor it to redline.

Matt

 

Is it the check-engine light that keeps illuminating (MINI has a knock-sensor, but not a knock warning light) or have you fitted your own knock warning gauge?

When I collected my '06 MCS the dealer had filled her up with 87 Octane. The car drove like crap but I didn't get any warning lights.

 

The Service Engine Soon light comes on. I had a friend hook up a computer to it to see what sensor it was (both times) and it was the knock sensor.

 

Time to get it (the knock sensor) replaced. BTW, what code is it?

 

Funny, my "Service Engine Soon" light popped on this past Friday at 21,700 miles.... almost exactly a year to the day since my MCS was manufactured... Called the good dealer (Prestige in Mahwah, NJ)... they told me it would be okay to drive it through the weekend. Monday morning took it in and they determined I needed a software upgrade; something about fuel mixtures, yadda, yadda... Strangely enough, since the upgrade I seem to be getting better mileage on this current tank of gas. Coincidence?? I hope not.
I always fill up with 93 Octane (when available).

 

The actual text that goes with the codes tells you a lot (sometimes). It may say something like "Voltage low" or "open circuit" both of which would be a wiring/connector issue.

Looking at the Bentley manual, there are two knock sensor codes.
P0324 = Knock System Control Error
P0326 = Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)

If it's the 326, I'd guess the sensor is bad. If it's the 324, it can get complicated...... That stuff is in the ECU.

Matt

 

I just got the P0326 code on my MCS for the first time in the 2 1/2 years I've owned it. I cleared the code and am going to fill up with fresh gas and see if it comes back.