I recently bought a 98 civic ex and it had a CEL for the knock sensor code. Plugged my scanner in to double check, so it's 100% the knock sensor code.

I purchased a new knock sensor and while i was installing, i realized the currently knock sensor was installed, but there was no connector/pig tail going to the sensor from the harness. It was cut off.

I bought a pigtail from ebay that said it was a universal pigtail and it would work for my knock sensor. The physical connector is right, but I didn't realize the D16Y8 knock sensor pigtail is just one wire. The pigtail I bought was two wires (red/black).

Here's my question - am I able to make that pigtail work, or do I have to find an original pigtail? If I have to find an original pigtail, does anyone have one I can buy?

 

Yes you can make it work. Remove unnecessary wire, splice it in, and viola!

Make sure to test for continuity afterwards, so you don't have to return to fix your work.

 

I was told I can't do this since the circuit isn't being completed? Is that true? Need to understand, when it comes down to electrical work (how it works), I'm a complete noob. I know how to wire things and such, just am a noob with the way it works and such.

For reference, here is the pigtail I purchased: Honda IAT Intake Air Temperature Fan Knock Sensor Plug Pigtail Integra Civic | eBay

Which wire would I have to remove from the connector? Couldn't I essentially leave the wire, electrical tape the end and have the other wire spliced into the harness?

 

As long as current can pass through the pigtail, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Some of the wires get their ground from the ECU, so not all sensors require 2 wires.

As for which wire to remove: just remove the wire that doesnt make contact with the metal pin on the Knock sensor

 

Thanks for the input. Makes sense, really. I'll give it a shot sometime this weekend, hopefully. I'll update with any issues and if it works or not!

 

 

Yep just ignore the other wire. You can leave it hanging if you wanted or cut it out.