Starter / knock sensor interference

[3p141592654]

This is a photo of a Toyota rebuilt starter (installed by dealer a few years ago) next to the rear knock sensor. You can see that the cable from the knock sensor is touching the starter. In order to remove the knock sensor plug during my BHG repair I had to remove the starter. Is this normal, or do I have the wrong starter? What a #%$@# pain it is to remove that starter to get the KS plug off.

 

[gixxer750]

um, my rear knock sensor is a good 1.5-2" clear of the starter, so maybe the wrong starter?

 

[3p141592654]

Gixxer, what year is yours? This is a 90. I'll check the starter part number tonight since it is written on the housing. From the EPC I believe it should be 28100-45050-84 for a remanufactured one.

 

[supra90turbo]

Hmm, that's odd. I was just looking at my 87 parts car and it's like 4" away from the rear KS...

 

[shaeff]

i believe that's year dependent. some are behind the starter, some are not. i believe it's '89+ that are behind the starter, as i have a parts turbo motor that's out of an '89, and the KS was behind the starter, and the '89T motor in my car has the rear KS behind the starter.

i managed to wiggle off the connection without removing the starter, though.'

-shaeff

 

[3p141592654]

That make sense, since I've read BHG posts where there is no mention of the starter getting in the way, but they do talk about having to drop the tranny to get the tranny connectors off.

In my case, the connectors for the tranny are all sitting beside the starter and easy to get off (you can see them in the picture), but the knock sensor is jammed right behind the starter end cap. Someone at Toyota figured they saved so much time re-engineering the connectors that they had to create a new PIA! :biglaugh:

I thought about wigglling it off but the sensors and connectors are so old and brittle I figured I break something for sure. The starter doesn't have to come completely off, just loosen the bolts enough that is can be moved about half an inch.

 

[IJ.]

KS in the wrong hole maybe?

 

[3p141592654]

Here's a shot of the two sensors some time back. They have never come out of the block so this is the original factory positions. They look correct to me!

 

[IJ.]

Was just a guess

I don't run 2 x KS's here and have a single in one of the front holes!

 

[3p141592654]

IJ, that was a fast reply! :aigo: Its sounding more and more like this is just the way it is with the 89+ models. I still need to verify the starter part number though.

 

[3p141592654]

Starter part number checks out. I guess this is the way it is on the 89+ models.

 

[mhopemk3]

I have a 89 and I broke my knock sensor when I put my reman starter in.. It is pretty close.. Here is a close up and a different angle.

 

[lagged]

you can get the plug out without removing the starter. you kind of have to force the back end (with the wire coming out) of the plug up to have it clear the starter. its tight, but its not impossible by any means.

 

[cruzinbill]

Ok gotta a related question. Is the plug on the KS the same for all the years.

 

[steve_mk3]

I have a 88, my knock sensor was not removable without loosening the starter.

here is a not so great pic, but you get the idea.