P0330: Knock Sensor 2 Circuit (Bank 2)
Key takeaways
- P0330 means the engine computer sees a fault in the circuit of knock sensor 2, the sensor that listens for detonation on bank 2, the side without cylinder 1.
- It is usually safe to drive, but the computer pulls ignition timing as a precaution, so expect a little less power and fuel economy.
- Wiring and connector faults are common; on many V6 and V8 engines the sensor sits under the intake manifold, which is what makes the bill high.
- An accessible sensor typically costs $150 to $400 installed; a sensor under the intake runs about $400 to $900.
- No NHTSA complaints mention P0330, but 21 manufacturer bulletins do, and several Ford ones trace it to wiring shared with the coolant temperature sensor.
What P0330 means
Your engine computer isn’t getting a usable signal from the second knock sensor, the one that listens for knock on bank 2. Scanners call it Knock Sensor 2 Circuit (Bank 2); newer tools may say “Knock/Combustion Vibration Sensor 2 Circuit.” A knock sensor bolts to the engine block and turns the vibration of early detonation (knock or ping) into a signal, and the computer pulls ignition timing back to protect the pistons. When sensor 2’s signal is missing, out of range, or its circuit reads open or shorted, the computer sets P0330.
Bank 2 is the side of a V6 or V8 that doesn’t have cylinder 1. Some four-cylinder engines also use two knock sensors, and on those sensor 2 is simply the second one.
Is it safe to drive?
Yes, in most cases, and gently. Without a trustworthy knock signal, the computer runs conservative, retarded ignition timing, so the engine stays protected but feels a little slower and uses more fuel. Use the octane your owner’s manual specifies, and skip towing and long full-throttle climbs until it’s fixed.
What changes the answer: audible pinging or knocking when you accelerate, a flashing check engine light, or a temperature gauge climbing. Pinging with a dead knock sensor means the engine may be knocking with nothing correcting it, so ease off and get it checked soon. See can I drive with the check engine light on.
Causes, ranked
| Cause | How you confirm it | Typical cost (US independent shop, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Damaged, chafed or rodent-chewed wiring, or a corroded connector | Inspect the harness and plug; check continuity and resistance back to the computer | $100–$250 |
| Engine software needing an update | A bulletin covers your make, model and year | $100–$200, or free under warranty |
| Failed knock sensor, easy to reach (most four-cylinders) | Sensor resistance or signal out of spec with good wiring | $150–$400 |
| Failed knock sensor under the intake manifold (many V6 and V8 engines) | Same tests, done at the connector; the sensor itself needs the intake removed | $400–$900 |
| Sensor loose or not torqued to spec after earlier work | Check the mounting bolt; a loose sensor reads weak | Covered by diagnosis, or $100–$250 |
What to check first
- Read the other codes. P0330 with P0325 points to shared wiring, a shared ground or software, not two failed sensors. P0330 with coolant temperature codes on a Ford EcoBoost points straight to a bulletin.
- Inspect the connector and harness. Oil, coolant leaks from the intake and rodents all damage knock sensor wiring. Found at the harness, it may be a $100–$250 job.
- Ask for a bulletin check. Ford has the most. On 2.7L EcoBoost engines (2015–2020 F-150, Edge, Fusion and Lincoln models) and the 3.0L in the 2020 Explorer and Aviator, P0330 sets with coolant temperature codes, traced to a poorly seated coolant temperature sensor connector or damaged wiring; the fixes include a new heater hose on some F-150s and new coolant temperature and knock sensors on the 3.0L. Ford also has a wire chafe fix near the knock sensor connector on 2016–2017 Explorer 3.5L EcoBoost engines. Stellantis has engine-computer updates for the 2025 Ram 1500 and 2024 Grand Wagoneer, plus a P0330 bulletin for the 2019–2022 Jeep Wrangler, and GM has one for reduced knock sensor detection on the 2023 Escalade.
- Test the sensor at the connector before anyone pulls the intake. If the sensor is buried, ask whether replacing both sensors and the harness while it’s open makes sense.
- Clear it and drive after a wiring repair or software update; a circuit fault usually resets the code within a drive or two if it isn’t fixed.
No complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0330. It’s either rare or owners don’t quote it, so the bulletins are the better guide here.
What it costs
The cheap outcome is a wiring or connector repair at $100–$250, or a software update. The common outcome on an engine with an accessible sensor is a new knock sensor at $150–$400. The expensive outcome is a sensor under the intake manifold on a V6 or V8 at about $400–$900, almost all of it labor. Paying for an hour of diagnosis first, usually $100–$180, saves money, because testing at the connector tells you whether the intake needs to come off at all.
Related codes
P0330 often shows up with P0325, the bank 1 knock sensor circuit code, or with its own range and voltage codes P0331, P0332 and P0333. If a misfire code like P0300 appears too, sort the misfire out first. For what a steady light means, see check engine light on.
What owners report to NHTSA
No consumer complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0330. That usually means it's rare, or owners don't quote the code when they file.
Manufacturer service bulletins that name P0330
21 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P0330, from 5 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- RAM 1500 (2025), bulletin 11010256: "Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): **P…
- JEEP GRAND WAGONEER (2024), bulletin 11011903: "Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): **P…
- CADILLAC ESCALADE (2023), bulletin 10231896: This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Possible Audible Knock Due to Reduced Knock Sensor Detection Capability DTC P0325, P0330, P0326, P0331, P06B6 or P06B7 May be Set in Hi…
- JEEP WRANGLER (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), bulletin 10212346: MIL Lamp On, DTC P0330 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit
- FORD EXPLORER (2020), bulletin 10177711: Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or Engine Coolant Over Temperature warning with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P01…
- LINCOLN AVIATOR (2020), bulletin 10177711: Some 2020 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or Engine Coolant Over Temperature warning with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P01…
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database and manufacturer communications file, snapshots September 2026. A complaint or bulletin that mentions a code is a report about that vehicle, not a statement that the code has one cause.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0330?
Usually, yes. The computer can't trust the bank 2 knock signal, so it retards ignition timing to stay safe, and you lose a little power and mileage. Use the fuel grade your owner's manual calls for, avoid heavy towing and full-throttle runs, and get it checked if you hear pinging under load.
What is the difference between P0325 and P0330?
P0325 is knock sensor 1, on bank 1 (the side with cylinder 1) or the only sensor. P0330 is knock sensor 2, on bank 2. Both mean a circuit problem. If both are set together, look for shared wiring, a shared ground or software before replacing two sensors.
Why is P0330 showing up with coolant temperature codes?
On some Ford EcoBoost engines the knock sensor and coolant temperature sensor wiring are linked, and Ford bulletins for the 2.7L and 3.0L list P0330 with coolant temperature codes and an over-temperature warning. Ask the shop to check for that bulletin first.
Should I replace both knock sensors?
If both are under the intake manifold, many shops recommend it, because the labor to reach them is the same and the other sensor is often just as old. If only one is accessible, replace the one the tests point to.