P0332🔧 Engine management / knock detectionDrive with caution, fix soon

P0332: Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Low Bank 2 (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Reviewed 2026-10-23 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0332 means

A knock sensor tells the engine computer (PCM) when cylinders are knocking or pinging, meaning the air/fuel mixture is burning in a way that delivers less power and can damage the engine. The computer uses that signal to adjust the engine so it does not knock. OBD-Codes.com says P0332 sets when the bank 2 knock sensor produces a low output voltage (perhaps under 0.5 V), and that the code may show up intermittently or keep the light on constantly. RepairPal describes it as the number 2 knock sensor output being lower than normal specification, and its summary says the code sets if the PCM does not receive a signal from the knock sensor; RepairPal's longer title also mentions 'Single Sensor or Bank 2', so check your vehicle's service information for which sensor is number 2. Related knock sensor codes include P0325 to P0334.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Drive with caution, fix soon

Get it checked soon, but it's usually not an emergency. RepairPal rates P0332 Moderate, meaning it may not threaten safety right away but should be diagnosed within a reasonable time. OBD-Codes.com explains that knocking delivers less power and can damage the engine if it goes on, and with a low knock sensor signal the engine computer may not catch it. If you hear pinging or knocking, the engine runs hotter than normal, or it loses power, ease off hard acceleration and get it looked at promptly. If the temperature gauge climbs toward hot, pull over and shut the engine off.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

  1. Faulty knock sensor 2
  2. Open, short or other fault in the knock sensor wiring or connections
  3. Cooling system problem or overheating (listed by RepairPal)
  4. EGR system malfunction (listed by RepairPal)
  5. Lean air/fuel ratio (listed by RepairPal)
  6. Failed PCM/ECM (less likely, listed by OBD-Codes.com)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

  1. Write down the freeze frame data and any other stored codes before clearing anything, so you or a shop know the conditions when it set.
  2. Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge. RepairPal says an overheating engine will cause any engine to knock, so rule out a cooling problem first.
  3. Look for other codes pointing to the EGR system or a lean condition (for example P0174 or P0401), and deal with those first.
  4. Inspect the wiring and connector going to the knock sensor for broken, frayed or chafed wires and corrosion, and check the connections all the way to the engine computer, as OBD-Codes.com suggests.
  5. If you have a multimeter and a service manual, check the sensor's resistance and the circuit's voltage and ground against the factory specs, as OBD-Codes.com suggests.

Typical fixes

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

  • You hear pinging or knocking, or the engine is running hot
  • The wiring looks fine and the code comes back
  • RepairPal notes that most modern knock sensors are buried under the intake manifold, so replacing one can be a big job
  • RepairPal's shop diagnosis involves duplicating the freeze frame conditions on a test drive, watching knock sensor and timing data, checking engine temperature with an infrared thermometer, checking long-term fuel trim, and tapping the block to see if the sensor responds
  • RepairPal lists common misdiagnoses: replacing the knock sensor when the real cause was the wiring, a cooling system problem or an EGR malfunction

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Can I drive with P0332?

Usually for a short time, gently. RepairPal rates it Moderate. Avoid hard acceleration and heavy loads, and get it checked promptly if you hear pinging or the engine runs hot.

What's the difference between P0327 and P0332?

They are the same low-signal fault on different sensors. P0327 is knock sensor 1 (bank 1 or a single sensor) and P0332 is knock sensor 2 (bank 2). If both appear together, check wiring and connectors shared by both sensors before replacing anything.

Is replacing the knock sensor always the fix?

No. RepairPal lists wiring faults, cooling system problems and EGR malfunctions as causes that often get misdiagnosed as a bad sensor. Check the wiring and rule those out first.

Why do the sources list different symptoms and causes?

OBD-Codes.com focuses on the sensor, its wiring and the PCM and lists drivability symptoms like fluctuating RPM and hesitation. RepairPal adds engine conditions that cause real knock (overheating, EGR faults, a lean mixture) and lists pinging and running hot as symptoms.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0332 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input (Bank 2)
  2. RepairPal: P0332 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Low (rated Moderate)

Last reviewed 2026-10-23. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.