P0331 Knock sensor 2 (bank 2) signal is outside the expected range or performance

Knock sensor 2 circuit range/performance (bank 2)

Monitor

Knock sensor faults mostly cost power and let the computer pull timing as a precaution, so the car is usually drivable short term, but sustained spark knock can harm the engine.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Inspect soon if you hear pinging or rattle under load, or the car feels down on power. The engine may be knocking without the computer able to hear it.

Source: how we rate severity

P0331 in short

P0331 means the engine computer found a problem with the second knock sensor circuit (bank 2) performance range. Typical causes are a failed sensor or wiring fault, rarely the computer. It is usually drivable, but have it checked if you hear pinging or lose power.

The knock sensor listens for spark knock and the computer retards timing when it hears it. P0331 is a range/performance fault, so a signal is present but does not behave as the computer expects.

On engines with two banks, bank 2 is the side opposite the number 1 cylinder. Check your engine's service information for where the sensor sits, as the location varies by engine.

Most likely causes

These are general causes for this code across vehicles. None is specific to one make or model.

  1. Failed knock sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists a failed knock sensor first among the causes of this code.
    What would change this
    Rises if the sensor reads no signal when the engine block is tapped nearby. Falls if the sensor output is normal.
    How to test the knock sensor

  2. Wiring or connector fault in the knock sensor circuit

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    A damaged wire or poor connection produces the same fault as a bad sensor and is checked before parts.
    What would change this
    Rises if the harness shows damage, corrosion or a loose connector, or continuity fails. Falls if wiring tests good.

  3. Engine computer fault

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists a failed computer as a possible cause, but only after the sensor and wiring pass.
    What would change this
    Rises only if sensor and circuit tests all pass and the code returns. Falls otherwise.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. With the engine off and cool, look at the knock sensor harness and connector on bank 2 for damage, rubbing or corrosion.

    Use cautionTool: flashlight

    Warning:Engine must be off and cool; the sensor is often under the intake manifold or near hot exhaust parts, so do not reach in while hot.

  2. Have a shop test the sensor output on AC volts while tapping near it, and check circuit continuity back to the computer.

    Best left to a shopTool: digital multimeter

    Warning:Sensor access often means removing the intake manifold, and tapping near a running engine puts hands near moving belts and fans; leave it to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Lack of power or hesitation
  • Engine pinging or spark knock

How to fix

On your vehicle

Chevrolet

  • 2015–2024 · Colorado

    Supported by vehicle data

    Chevrolet bulletin 24-NA-180 covers knock sensor service calibration DTCs P0326 and P0331; Chevrolet bulletin PIP5985 covers a possible connection concern for the knock sensors at connector X160 if P0326 and/or P0331 has set; Chevrolet bulletin PIP5836A covers a possible emerging issue and recommendations for DTC P0331; Chevrolet bulletin PIP5303B covers a flashing or solid check engine light with misfire, rough idle or an over-felt cruise engagement bump, where P0326 or P0331 may be found; Chevrolet bulletin PIP5273 covers the service engine soon lamp coming on with P0326 or P0331 set in history. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2019–2022 · Camaro

    Supported by vehicle data

    Chevrolet bulletin PIP5836A covers a possible emerging issue and recommendations for DTC P0331; Chevrolet bulletin PIP5773B covers an inspection without replacing components while engineering investigates knock sensor 2 performance DTC P0331. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 24-NA-180 (chevrolet)Status unverified

    Knock sensor service calibration, P0326 and P0331

    2024colorado · issued · NHTSA 11018073

    Technical bulletin giving repair information for a customer concern of knock sensor service calibration DTCs P0326 and P0331. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5985 (chevrolet)Status unverified

    Knock sensor connector X160 concern, P0326 and/or P0331

    2023–2024colorado · issued · NHTSA 11006404

    Preliminary information on a possible connection concern for the knock sensors at connector X160 if P0326 and/or P0331 has set. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5836A (chevrolet)Status unverified

    Possible emerging issue and recommendations for P0331

    2022camaro, colorado · issued · NHTSA 10213814

    Preliminary information on a possible emerging issue and recommendations for DTC P0331, updated to change the recommendations. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5773B (chevrolet)Status unverified

    Knock sensor 2 performance P0331, inspect and do not replace components

    2019–2020camaro, equinox · issued · NHTSA 10193461

    Preliminary information on an inspection, telling the technician not to replace components while engineering investigates the cause of knock sensor 2 performance DTC P0331. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5303B (chevrolet)Status unverified

    Flashing or solid MIL with misfire, rough idle or cruise bump; P0326 or P0331

    2015colorado · issued · NHTSA 10137518

    Preliminary information on vehicles with a flashing or solid check engine light, misfire, rough idle, or a cruise engagement bump that has too much feel. The technician may find P0326 or P0331. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5273 (chevrolet)Status unverified

    Service engine soon lamp with P0326 or P0331 in history

    2015colorado · issued · NHTSA 10139315

    Preliminary information on vehicles that may have the service engine soon lamp on, where the technician may find P0326 or P0331 set in history. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

GMC

  • 2015–2024 · Canyon

    Supported by vehicle data

    GMC bulletin 24-NA-180 covers knock sensor service calibration DTCs P0326 and P0331; GMC bulletin PIP5985 covers a possible connection concern for the knock sensors at connector X160 if P0326 and/or P0331 has set; GMC bulletin PIP5836A covers a possible emerging issue and recommendations for DTC P0331; GMC bulletin PIP5303B covers a flashing or solid check engine light with misfire, rough idle or an over-felt cruise engagement bump, where P0326 or P0331 may be found; GMC bulletin PIP5273 covers the service engine soon lamp coming on with P0326 or P0331 set in history. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2022 · Acadia

    Supported by vehicle data

    GMC bulletin PIP5836A covers a possible emerging issue and recommendations for DTC P0331. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 24-NA-180 (gmc)Status unverified

    Knock sensor service calibration, P0326 and P0331

    2024canyon · issued · NHTSA 11018073

    Technical bulletin giving repair information for a customer concern of knock sensor service calibration DTCs P0326 and P0331. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5985 (gmc)Status unverified

    Knock sensor connector X160 concern, P0326 and/or P0331

    2023–2024canyon · issued · NHTSA 11006404

    Preliminary information on a possible connection concern for the knock sensors at connector X160 if P0326 and/or P0331 has set. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5836A (gmc)Status unverified

    Possible emerging issue and recommendations for P0331

    2022acadia, canyon · issued · NHTSA 10213814

    Preliminary information on a possible emerging issue and recommendations for DTC P0331, updated to change the recommendations. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5773B (gmc)Status unverified

    Knock sensor 2 performance P0331, inspect and do not replace components

    2019–2020terrain · issued · NHTSA 10193461

    Preliminary information on an inspection, telling the technician not to replace components while engineering investigates the cause of knock sensor 2 performance DTC P0331. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5303B (gmc)Status unverified

    Flashing or solid MIL with misfire, rough idle or cruise bump; P0326 or P0331

    2015canyon · issued · NHTSA 10137518

    Preliminary information on vehicles with a flashing or solid check engine light, misfire, rough idle, or a cruise engagement bump that has too much feel. The technician may find P0326 or P0331. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5273 (gmc)Status unverified

    Service engine soon lamp with P0326 or P0331 in history

    2015canyon · issued · NHTSA 10139315

    Preliminary information on vehicles that may have the service engine soon lamp on, where the technician may find P0326 or P0331 set in history. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Cadillac

  • 2022 · XT5

    Supported by vehicle data

    Cadillac bulletin PIP5836A covers a possible emerging issue and recommendations for DTC P0331. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2022 · XT6

    Supported by vehicle data

    Cadillac bulletin PIP5836A covers a possible emerging issue and recommendations for DTC P0331. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • PIP5836A (cadillac)Status unverified

    Possible emerging issue and recommendations for P0331

    2022xt5, xt6 · issued · NHTSA 10213814

    Preliminary information on a possible emerging issue and recommendations for DTC P0331, updated to change the recommendations. Only the NHTSA summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

No curated relationships for P0331 yet.

All Ignition and engine position sensors codes

Sources and review

  1. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) list — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
  2. P0331 code summary — TroubleCodes.net
  3. 24-NA-180: Knock sensor service calibration, P0326 and P0331 — Chevrolet
  4. PIP5985: Knock sensor connector X160 concern, P0326 and/or P0331 — Chevrolet
  5. PIP5836A: Possible emerging issue and recommendations for P0331 — Chevrolet
  6. PIP5303B: Flashing or solid MIL with misfire, rough idle or cruise bump; P0326 or P0331 — Chevrolet
  7. PIP5273: Service engine soon lamp with P0326 or P0331 in history — Chevrolet
  8. 24-NA-180: Knock sensor service calibration, P0326 and P0331 — GMC
  9. PIP5985: Knock sensor connector X160 concern, P0326 and/or P0331 — GMC
  10. PIP5836A: Possible emerging issue and recommendations for P0331 — GMC
  11. PIP5303B: Flashing or solid MIL with misfire, rough idle or cruise bump; P0326 or P0331 — GMC
  12. PIP5273: Service engine soon lamp with P0326 or P0331 in history — GMC
  13. PIP5836A: Possible emerging issue and recommendations for P0331 — Cadillac
  14. PIP5773B: Knock sensor 2 performance P0331, inspect and do not replace components — Chevrolet
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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