P032700 & P032600 CEL after Rear timing chain cover reseal and Valve Cover Gasket rep

[A2andres]

The saga continues.

3.0T SQ5 with 113,000 miles on it. I was getting some leaks taken care which included resealing the rear upper timing covers as well as putting new valve cover gaskets.

After driving the car home letting it sit overnight and then taking it out for a spin today, the Check Engine Light came on - grabbed codes using OBD11 and popped P032700 (Knock Sensor 1 Circ.) and P032600(Knock Sensor 1 Circuit).

I know that both knock sensors plug into the back of engine area - right near where the rear timing covers are - I think that the knock sensors themselves are located under the intake manifold on each bank of the engine.

This shop has always taken good care of me (they were doing the Valve cover gasket under their own warranty) but wanted to ask her if servicing either the Valve Cover gasket or rear timing chain covers could lead to the above CEL codes? Just based on the vicinity of the knock sensor plugs/wiring to the timing chain covers makes me think that the issue was caused be the repairs being done. I did go ahead and check the two plugs and from what I felt they were clicked in and tight back there.

Any insight? I want to be able to speak to my service advisor in an informed way that doesn't end with me having to pay to have problem taken care of, any insight is appreciated.

Thanks,

[bass_lover1]

my guess is they forgot to plug them back in. They wouldn’t come out from valve covers, since they’re under the super charger as you said so not likely they were damaged with the job.

That code is for G61 which is the passenger side but the connection is pretty much directly behind the center of the engine. Check to see it’s been plugged back in since it looks like it would need to be removed when doing upper timing covers.

When I did my spark plugs a few weeks ago I forgot to plug in the charge air sensors on the driver's side and got a CEL almost immediately. I freaked out for a second before I realized that I couldn't recall plugging them back in.

[A2andres]

Hey thanks for the quick reply. I was able to double check and from what I THINK is the plug for the knock sensor does seem firmly locked and plugged in. - I’ll triple check and make sure to mention it to my shop when I drop it off there Monday.

Is there a risk to the car to keep driving it?


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[bass_lover1]

I wouldn’t drive it long term but it should be fine for a trip back to the mechanic if you go gently.

The ecu can’t tell if that bank is knocking so it can’t adjust timing or fuel trims accurately to protect it.

The ecu should be smart enough to retard timing to a safe level since it can’t rely on that sensor currently. I’d get it fixed before you hit the back roads or take a long road trip, but driving to the mechanic should be fine.

[A2andres]

Just an update. I reached back in there and gave the connector a good shove and wiggle. Did not feel any additional click or movement but when I fired up the car, no CEL.

I didn’t clear the earlier one, so hopefully that fixed the issue. Not sure if the car would clear the CEL itself if the issue persisted.


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[bass_lover1]

It’ll store the codes in memory even if it’s no longer a current fault. Clear them out and drive around again and see if it comes back.