Knocklite Testing before Installation

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LPime001
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Knocklite Testing before Installation

Post by LPime001 »

Quick question for all you Knocklite users out there.

I recently picked up a used turboxs knocklite. Does anyone know if there is a way I can power up the unit to verify that it works?

I have all of the installation and programming documents and know exactly how to wire it up, but I cant seem to make it do anything by giving it power and ground.

I understand that the unit needs to read the RPM signal in order for it to go through the startup sequence, but is there anything I can do to make it light up in anyway before I go through the complete installation process? I would love to see some sign of life before I waste a day installing it.

Thanks
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beercandrifter
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Re: Knocklite Testing before Installation

Post by beercandrifter »

got me interested in how to test it as well. I bet matt cramer from diyautotune would be able to chime in on how to test one of these

output of knock sensor is a logical 0-5v output (unsure of frequency), could use a frequency generator (or cheat and use a logic output of a headphone jack playing known frequency values in the range of the knock sensor, they make sound clips for testing certain frequencies)
would need standard power/ground hookups


didn't see anything out there on testing them unless its hooked up to the engine
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schmauster920
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Re: Knocklite Testing before Installation

Post by schmauster920 »

Its a piezoelectric sensor meaning it will make voltage when there are vibrations (or more when detonation)


Just tap the sensor and it should make a little voltage
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LPime001
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Re: Knocklite Testing before Installation

Post by LPime001 »

Beercan,
Your test sounds very interesting, but i think its a bit too technical for me. LOL
I tried a ghetto test by back probing the MAF plug and connecting the knocklite to the positive, negative and MAF signal. I was hoping the MAF signal voltage would be close to the RPM voltage, but its probably not because it did not work.
I just sent Matt Cramer a PM. Thanks for the advice.

schmauster920,
I came across a bunch of threads about people checking if the knock sensor was working by tapping it with a screw driver and making sure the knocklite would display the knock. Ill probably try this before conducting the calibration when I install the unit. My issue at the moment is that i want to make it light up without completely installing it just to make sure that it works.
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Re: Knocklite Testing before Installation

Post by Matt Cramer »

First, keep in mind I have zero experience with the Knock Lite. I just designed a similar circuit for the MSPNP.

We initially tested our knock circuit by finding a "sine sweep" file and playing it through a PC sound card. I wanted to be sure it would respond most to the right frequency. After we checked that... we bolted a knock sensor to a beater Sentra and made the engine knock until it wouldn't start. A fairly effective way of testing a knock circuit, but if you're not planning to make them commercially, it could be a bit pricey.
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beercandrifter
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Re: Knocklite Testing before Installation

Post by beercandrifter »

if you want to send it back this way, I can hook it up to my frequency generator and mess with it some. will cover the shipping
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LPime001
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Re: Knocklite Testing before Installation

Post by LPime001 »

Thank guys for all the help. Just to clarify, all I want to do right now is power up the unit to see if it works before installing it. From reading the manual, it seems like power, ground and rpm signal should initiate a startup sequence. I have not tapped the RPM line yet so this may be my problem.

This weekend I'm going to remove the plastic cover on the ECU plug and backprobe the knock and rpm pins, and provide power and ground. Hopefully it will light up in some way and I can begin tearing apart my dash and center console.

beercandrifter wrote:if you want to send it back this way, I can hook it up to my frequency generator and mess with it some. will cover the shipping
Thanks beercan for standing behind your sale. Ill let you know if I get it to work this weekend.
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