P0332: Knock sensor 2 circuit voltage low (bank 2)

Knock sensor 2 circuit low (bank 2)

Severity: Inspect soon

P0332 means the engine computer sees a fault in the knock sensor 2 (bank 2) circuit. The engine normally keeps running, but the computer may switch to a more conservative ignition strategy with less power and economy, and it may not be able to detect real knock. Get it inspected soon.

It gets more serious if:

Stop: You hear loud or persistent knocking or pinging from the engine, especially when accelerating. With a knock sensor fault the engine may not be able to detect and correct it, and repeated severe detonation can damage pistons and bearings. Avoid hard driving and get it checked before driving further.

Source: how we rate severity

P0332 in short

P0332 means the signal from knock sensor 2, on bank 2, is lower than expected. Wiring, the connector or how the sensor is mounted are common causes, and GM has linked it to real pinging on some V8s. The engine usually runs, so get it inspected soon and stop if it knocks loudly.

A knock sensor is a small piezoelectric sensor bolted to the engine block. It produces a signal when it feels the vibration of knock (detonation), the uncontrolled burning that sounds like pinging. On the ASE reference design, the engine computer uses that signal to retard ignition timing when knock is detected.

P0332 sets when the circuit for knock sensor 2, usually the sensor on bank 2 (the side without cylinder 1), reads lower than the computer expects, as from an open or shorted wire or a sensor that is not producing a signal. When the computer cannot trust the sensor, it may run a more conservative ignition strategy, so performance and economy can drop even though the engine runs.

Wiring and connector faults are more common than failed sensors, and real knock from fuel or engine conditions can also be involved.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Damaged, loose or corroded knock sensor wiring or connector
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
Delphi notes engine vibration can shake a knock sensor connection loose, and wiring and connector faults are the first causes in independent guidance.
What would change this
Rises with visible damage, corrosion, chewed wires or a loose connector, or if the circuit reads open or shorted.
How to test the knock sensor
Cause 2: Knock sensor installed incorrectly (wrong torque or position)
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Knock sensors depend on firm contact with the block. Delphi and independent guidance name incorrect installation or mounting torque as a cause, especially after recent engine work. GM issued information on an upside-down knock sensor setting P0332 on the 2005 Uplander.
What would change this
Rises if the code appeared after engine work or a sensor replacement; a shop checks torque and orientation.
How to test the knock sensor
Cause 3: Failed knock sensor
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
The sensor itself can fail, but it is usually buried under the intake on V engines, so prove the wiring is good before replacing it.
What would change this
Rises if the wiring tests good but the sensor gives no signal when the block is tapped on a scope.
How to test the knock sensor
Cause 4: Real engine knock (low-octane fuel, carbon buildup, overheating or a lean mixture)
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
Real detonation from fuel below the octane the manufacturer calls for, carbon buildup, overheating or a lean mixture can be behind knock sensor codes. GM documented mild to severe spark knock during acceleration with P0332 on 1998-2002 V8 trucks and cars.
What would change this
Rises if you hear pinging when accelerating, use lower-octane fuel than the owner's manual specifies, or also have lean or overheating codes.

What to test first

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

Step 1: Check the owner's manual for the required fuel octane and compare with what you use, then listen for pinging or knocking when accelerating moderately.
Low riskTool: owner's manual
- IfPinging is heard or the fuel is below the required octane
  It meansReal knock may be involved; fill with the correct fuel and avoid hard acceleration until checked.
  Points to: Real engine knock (low-octane fuel, carbon buildup, overheating or a lean mixture)
- IfNo pinging and the correct fuel
  It meansLook at the sensor wiring.
  Go to step 2
Step 2: With the engine off and cool, inspect the knock sensor harness and connector you can reach (on V engines often under the intake manifold, so only part may be visible) for chafing, corrosion, chewed wires or a loose connector.
Use cautionTool: flashlight, service information for the sensor location
Warning:Let the engine cool; parts near the sensor can burn. Do not remove the intake manifold yourself unless you have the service procedure and tools.
- IfDamage or a loose connector
  It meansRepair the wiring first.
  Points to: Damaged, loose or corroded knock sensor wiring or connector
- IfNothing visible
  It meansThe circuit and sensor need testing.
  Go to step 3
Step 3: Have a shop test the knock sensor circuit against the specification and view the sensor signal on an oscilloscope while tapping the engine near the sensor; they should also check the mounting torque.
Best left to a shopTool: lab scope, multimeter, service information
Warning:Access often requires removing intake parts. Leave it to a shop.
- IfCircuit open, shorted or out of range
  It meansWiring fault.
  Points to: Damaged, loose or corroded knock sensor wiring or connector
- IfCircuit good but no signal when tapped
  It meansThe sensor has failed.
  Points to: Failed knock sensor
- IfSensor loose, over-tightened or fitted wrongly
  It meansInstallation fault.
  Points to: Knock sensor installed incorrectly (wrong torque or position)

Symptoms

Reduced power or slower acceleration
Worse fuel economy
Pinging or knocking when accelerating Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

Step 1: Write down every stored code and the freeze-frame data before clearing anything, so you can tell whether the code comes back.
Step 2: Use at least the fuel octane listed in the owner's manual.

On your vehicle

Chevrolet

1999–2002 · Silverado 1500
Supported by vehicle data
GM has a bulletin for engine ping during acceleration and/or P0332 on this model. Ask a dealer to check bulletin 020604023.
1999–2002 · Suburban
Supported by vehicle data
GM has a bulletin for engine ping during acceleration and/or P0332 on this model. Ask a dealer to check bulletin 020604023.
2002 · Avalanche
Supported by vehicle data
GM has a bulletin for engine ping during acceleration and/or P0332 on this model. Ask a dealer to check bulletin 020604023.
1998–2002 · Camaro
Supported by vehicle data
GM has a bulletin for engine ping during acceleration and/or P0332 on this model. Ask a dealer to check bulletin 020604023.
1998–2002 · Corvette
Supported by vehicle data
GM has a bulletin for engine ping during acceleration and/or P0332 on this model. Ask a dealer to check bulletin 020604023.
2005 · Uplander
Supported by vehicle data
GM has information on a knock sensor installed upside down setting P0332 or P0327 on this model. Check sensor orientation before replacing it.

020604023Status unverified
GM 020604023: engine ping during acceleration and/or MIL with P0332
1998–2002silverado-1500, suburban, avalanche, camaro, corvette · issued May 1, 2002 · NHTSA 634723
Covers mild to severe spark knock on acceleration and/or a check engine light with P0332 on 1998/1999-2002 GM V8 trucks, SUVs, Camaro and Corvette. NHTSA's summary does not give the repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
050604052Status unverified
GM 050604052: inverted knock sensor, P0327 or P0332
2005uplander · issued August 1, 2005 · NHTSA 10017383
Information on a knock sensor installed upside down setting P0327 (bank 1) or P0332 (bank 2) on the 2005 Uplander.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

2016 · Explorer · 3.5L EcoBoost
Supported by vehicle data
Ford has a special service message for P0327/P0332 on the 3.5L EcoBoost. The summary does not give the repair, so ask a dealer to check SSM 45853.

SSM 45853Status unverified
Ford SSM 45853: MIL with P0327/P0332, 3.5L GTDI
2016explorer · 3.5L EcoBoost · issued May 27, 2016 · NHTSA 10079008
Covers a check engine light with knock sensor codes P0327/P0332 on the 2016 Explorer with the 3.5L EcoBoost. NHTSA's summary does not give the cause or repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

All Ignition and engine position sensors codes

P0332 questions

Can I keep driving with P0332?

Usually, for a short time and gently. Expect some loss of power and economy. Avoid hard acceleration and heavy loads, and stop driving and get it checked if you hear loud or persistent knocking or pinging.

Will premium fuel fix a knock sensor code?

Not a wiring or sensor fault. Using the octane your owner's manual specifies is still worth doing, because low-octane fuel can cause real knock, but the code will usually return until the circuit fault is repaired.

Which knock sensor is sensor 2?

On most V engines it is the sensor on bank 2, the side without cylinder 1. Engines vary, so confirm the location in the service information before replacing anything.

Sources and review

What Causes a Knock Sensor Code? 11 Common Causes — Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice (Rick Muscoplat) , July 27, 2022
ASE L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Test: Composite Vehicle Type 4 Reference Booklet — National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
How to diagnose a faulty knock sensor — Delphi Technologies Aftermarket
GM 02-06-04-023: engine ping during acceleration and/or MIL with P0332 — General Motors (via NHTSA) , May 1, 2002
GM 05-06-04-052: inverted knock sensor, P0327 or P0332 — General Motors (via NHTSA) , August 1, 2005
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) list — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Ford SSM 45853: MIL with P0327/P0332, 3.5L GTDI — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA) , May 27, 2016

Last reviewed: October 15, 2026
Written by: Saurabh K.
Editorial review: Pending
Technician review: Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

Severity: Inspect soon

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Damaged, loose or corroded knock sensor wiring or connector

Cause 2: Knock sensor installed incorrectly (wrong torque or position)

Cause 3: Failed knock sensor

Cause 4: Real engine knock (low-octane fuel, carbon buildup, overheating or a lean mixture)

What to test first

Step 1: Check the owner's manual for the required fuel octane and compare with what you use, then listen for pinging or knocking when accelerating moderately.

Step 2: With the engine off and cool, inspect the knock sensor harness and connector you can reach (on V engines often under the intake manifold, so only part may be visible) for chafing, corrosion, chewed wires or a loose connector.

Step 3: Have a shop test the knock sensor circuit against the specification and view the sensor signal on an oscilloscope while tapping the engine near the sensor; they should also check the mounting torque.