DTC Advanced Diagnostics: P0331 (3.0L Engine)

DTC P0331:  Knock Sensor 2 (Bank 2) Malfunction

General Description 

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Knock sensor 2 (bank 2) detects the vibrations caused by the knocking and converts to electrical signals. The powertrain control module (PCM) receives the signal from knock sensor 2 (bank 2) and monitors the amplitude of knock sensor 2 (bank 2). If the peak voltage of the smoothed amplitude is specified value, the PCM detects a malfunction and stores a DTC.

Monitor Execution, Sequence, Duration, DTC Type 

Execution	Continuous
Sequence	None
Duration	10 seconds or more
DTC Type	Two drive cycles, MIL on

Enable Conditions 

Condition	Minimum	Maximum
Elapsed time after starting the engine	50 seconds	-
Engine speed [Engine Speed]	2, 000 RPM	-
Engine load	30 %	-
Other	Other than during fuel-cut condition

[ ]: HDS Parameter

Malfunction Threshold 

Either one of the conditions is met for at least 10 seconds.

• The peak voltage of the smoothed amplitude of knock sensor 2 (bank 2) is less than 0.0003 V at the engine speed [Engine Speed] of 2, 000 RPM.
• The peak voltage of the smoothed amplitude of knock sensor 2 (bank 2) is less than 0.0011 V at the engine speed [Engine Speed] of 4, 000 RPM.

Possible Cause 

• Knock sensor 2 (bank 2) failure (looseness)

Confirmation Procedure 

Operating Condition 

• Start the engine. Hold the engine speed [Engine Speed] at 3, 000 RPM without load (in P or N) until the radiator fan comes on.
• Drive the vehicle at a steady vehicle speed [Vehicle Speed] of 44 mph (70 km/h) with 5th gear and engine speed [Engine Speed] 2, 000 RPM or more for at least 15 seconds.

• Drive the vehicle in this manner only if the traffic regulations and ambient conditions allow.

Diagnosis Details 

Conditions for setting the DTC 

When a malfunction is detected during the first drive cycle, a Pending DTC is stored in the PCM memory. If the malfunction returns in the next (second) drive cycle, the MIL comes on and a Confirmed DTC, the freeze data, and the on-board snapshot are stored.

Conditions for clearing the DTC 

The MIL is cleared if the malfunction does not return in three consecutive trips in which the diagnostic runs. The MIL, the Pending DTC, the Confirmed DTC, the freeze data, and the on-board snapshot can be cleared with the scan tool clear command.