P0333 Knock Sensor Help!

[eric3D2]

P0333 has shown up, and I'm looking to see if anyone here can shed a bit more light on what may be causing the code.
Hello, I'm still new here, been a member a few years but have made very few posts. Code P0333 has showed up, it came up every other day or so and I would clear it but now I have left it and it has not gone away. Please understand I'm not an expert on this car or on this forum!

Yes, I searched the forum and did find a few threads mentioning this code, but none had any resolutions.

Yes, I searched Google and had the same results.

So far, I've replaced the cam follower, old one was about 20,000 miles old and looked brand new.
Car is APR Stage 1, other than that, no engine modifications. Everything seems to be operating normally, there is the VERY occasional slight shake at idle, but it may just be regular four cylinder vibrations.
I run Shell 93 octane VPower the vast majority of the time. Best fuel I can find around here.
Plugs are about a year old.
New ignition coils are arriving in a few days and we'll see if that helps. I'll check the plugs when I replace the coils. I did have some greater vibrations and rough idle before, but the new plugs eliminated that.
I'm wondering if it's actually the knock sensor(s) themselves that are bad or if something is indeed triggering them. Looks like a job and a half to replace the knock sensors on this engine. Intake manifold removal, etc.

I have a freeze frame from my Blue Driver OBD system that captured some data when the code last showed up. Let me know if that would be helpful and I'll post it.

Thank you!

[canadianA4B7]

They can come lose or out of torque spec. Will throw a code because of this. I had this happen when changing some parts accidentally moved it slightly never thought to re torque. After torquing no more problems.

Could just be a failed sensor too. I would re torque see if that fixes it.

[eric3D2]

canadianA4B7 thanks for the reply. I’ve never been wrenching on anything near the sensor, but I wonder if it has come a bit loose on its own. Do you have the torque spec? Also does anyone have a good intake manifold removal DIY?


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[klrider44]

They can come lose or out of torque spec. Will throw a code because of this. I had this happen when changing some parts accidentally moved it slightly never thought to re torque. After torquing no more problems.

Could just be a failed sensor too. I would re torque see if that fixes it.

Wondering how you go about re torquing the knock sensors. I remember when I had my intake manifold off I wanted to check them but there was no way to get a socket on them.


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[eric3D2]

I did find this very old thread which apparently at one time had photos, and it seemed one could replace the sensors without removing the manifold? I’m digging around my engine in the parking lot at work and this seems rather difficult. Anyone have other photos of where they are? I thought they were held on with 13mm bolts, what was the issue with getting the socket on? I’ve never seen physically how they are attached.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...or-replacement



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[canadianA4B7]

Wondering how you go about re torquing the knock sensors. I remember when I had my intake manifold off I wanted to check them but there was no way to get a socket on them.


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Swivel sockets and extensions. The rear one I was able to torque without removing the intake manifold. Bout an hour later and the front one not being to spec I tore intake off and re did both.

I’d have to find the torque specs for you. Usually someone with elsawin chimes in and has the info.

[eric3D2]

canadianA4B7 can you post a photo of how you were able to do this?

Installed new ignition coils two nights ago, code is still there.


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[eric3D2]

Anyone else have any input on this? Anything is much appreciated.


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[A4_PimP]

In the old thread it has this

I've read that the torque specification is 20 nm or 15 ft-lbs (20ft/lb


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[A4_PimP]

Swivel sockets and extensions. The rear one I was able to torque without removing the intake manifold. Bout an hour later and the front one not being to spec I tore intake off and re did both.

I’d have to find the torque specs for you. Usually someone with elsawin chimes in and has the info.

Any added info on this? I’m getting the P0333 code intermittently for bank 2.


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[eric3D2]

Bringing this thread back from the grave. Code was solved and did not come back for a year after replacing coils and plugs. Came back recently and has stayed intermittently after replacing plugs. The plugs were the last step I took last time and were the lasting solution. This time it hasn't seemed to work. Any more information on the knock sensors themselves? How to torque, how to get to them? I've searched all the old threads, nothing but dead links and nonexistent photos. Thanks

[aluthman]

I’d pull the intake to get at them. Inspect the wiring to make sure it wasn’t damaged. I was chasing a knock sensor code on a previous b7 that ended up being a broken wire inside the connector. I would also try to pull logs to see timing correction on all 4 cylinders during a WOT pull.

[eric3D2]

Update-
Local shop replaced the knock sensor, code is still there. I’ve replaced the plugs, and last night did the cam follower even though it looked spanking new after a year. Engine is running fine, we’ve pretty much ruled out an actual engine knock. Looking into writing the P0333 code out of the system. Anyone have experience with this? The shop is suspecting a faulty pigtail lead from the knock sensor, or some other electronic fault. I’ll mention the suggestion of pulling the timing correction logs. I have no experience with the VCDS software, but my shop specializes in Audi. Thank you for the help!


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[A4_PimP]

I had the same issue since I've owned the car. I get the P0333 on bank 2. I took it to a "shop" I won't go into the details but they "claimed" the knock sensor was zip tied to the connector. They wanted $800 plus labor to replace the engine wiring harness. I got my own wiring harness for $500. I didn't do anything after that and the P0333 would randomly come on. I think perhaps when the connector would loosen up from engine vibration or some other reason. I would go off after a couple days and then come back after a week or so randomly. Last week I brought the car to my friend's shop to install coilovers and take a look at the knock sensor. I told him the wiring harness was in the trunk so once I get the car back I will update after 2 months on whether the issue was solved.

[Jacknhut]

Update-
Local shop replaced the knock sensor, code is still there. I’ve replaced the plugs, and last night did the cam follower even though it looked spanking new after a year. Engine is running fine, we’ve pretty much ruled out an actual engine knock. Looking into writing the P0333 code out of the system. Anyone have experience with this? The shop is suspecting a faulty pigtail lead from the knock sensor, or some other electronic fault. I’ll mention the suggestion of pulling the timing correction logs. I have no experience with the VCDS software, but my shop specializes in Audi. Thank you for the help!


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Did you get the code p0333 fixed? I got the same exact problem. Intermittent P0333 every couple hundred miles. Brought the car to dealer for warranty repair, they replaced the sensor, code went away for 1.5 year and now it’s back. Of course now the car is out of warranty.

What did they do to fix it ?