For the mechanics out there, knock sensor Options

[Bargod]

I bitched a bit about this in another topic and I was wondering if anyone could help me out with this.
A while back my wife took her car in to the dealership to have some minor work done, balancing and alignment and an oil change. She also had her fuel injector cleaned I believe as well as an air filter replaced.
Anyway, I picked up the car on the way to work. As soon as I hit the gas out of the lot the check engine light came on (the car also pulled to the left, like it did before the alignment). Anyway, after they checked it out they said it was the knock sensor and that it needed to be replaced. I'm curious if this is something they may have caused while they were doing the other work. The supervisor told me that they were "like fuses" and "just burned out". He also wanted to charge me $400 to replace it.
How much of what this guy is telling me is true and how much is BS?
BTW, it's a 2001 Camry.

[steel]

I found this which describes what a knock sensor is. Basically it says it controls the precision of the fuel detonation. http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByDepartment/Knock_Sensor

Found this too, where a guy talks about his knock sensor on his Camry http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/archive/...c/104367-1.html

[redline]

Well for the knock sensor what I would try first would be to buy a product called sea foam, most parts stores carry it, follow the instructions for the upper end cleaning or valve cleaning I cant remember what they call it, the car will smoke like crazy, so do it in an open area, after the procedure is complete disconnect both battery cables and leave them disconnected for about an hour,make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle. also make sure you have your anti theft code for the radio before disconnecting the battery, if the light come back on have them replace the sensor, The pulling most likely is, (if the alignment was completed and showed no issues) is an issue with the tires, hope this helps some

[Cpt. Snot Rocket]

A good shop will most often give you a life-time alignment guarantee for as long as you own the car. Bridgestone/Firestone shops will.

Take it back, tell them to do it again and tell them you want to see the print out showing the alignment numbers.



This post has been edited by Cpt. Snot Rocket: 10/17/07 7:57pm

[Stryker9]

SeaFoam, Lucas and Justice Bros. are ALL good names when buying
automotive products. I have used them to prevent engine spot
malfunctions often. What really gripes me is WHY they put computers
(hate heat) into an internal combustion engine that PRODUCES heat???
Are we stuck inbetween the industrial age and the electronics age?
Talk about HYBIRDS......

JIM

This post has been edited by Stryker9: 10/18/07 12:57pm