Ok so i have read a couple EFI books and they have never really stated the potential of a knock sensor to detect knock before it actually occurs. From my readings, knock is an instantaneous (sp?) event that creates a large increase in cylinder pressure and EGT; meaning the knock sensor would not be able to throw a code and retard the timing before it happens since the engine is either knocking or it isnt.

Can anyone go into more detail about this?

 

Now that I think about it. Your explanation of it makes more sense now. It just seems like it would try and do more, but I guess it is impossible for this to occurr.

 

You are right for the first couple of revolutions, but as soon as knock is detected, timing is retarted and thus reduced or eliminated.