Code 12 knock control sensor signal

NPINPIN

MEMBER
1997 TOYOTA RAV4
2.0L
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

Good day 2CarPros. I need a little help. Me and my friend replaced the water outlet on the cooling system. Corrosion made some holes. After the repair, the engine won't start. There's no spark on the plugs. We jumped the diagnose box it showed code 12-knock control sensor signal. Spark plugs, distributor, cap, wires, ignition coil are tested and they're okay. There is power going to the coil but got no signal. I changed the knock sensor but its still no spark. Please help. Thank you so much.

9 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

Hi,

What water outlet are you referring to? If I know that, I can look at possible causes near or around the area. Also, what it sounds like could be the problem is the crankshaft position sensor has been disconnected or damaged. It is on the front of the engine. See the attached pic. Check to see if it is connected or if anything damaged it.

Let me know.
Joe

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Sunday, December 15th, 2019 AT 6:41 PM

NPINPIN

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5 POSTS

The water outlet on the tranny side where the upper radiator hose is connected. I will check the crankshaft position sensor tomorrow. I'll keep you posted JACOBANDNICKOLAS. Thank you a o much.

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Monday, December 16th, 2019 AT 11:35 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
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You are very welcome. Check the sensor and let me know what you find. If it is possible for you to get your hands on a live data scanner, plug it in and see if there is an RPM signal when you are cranking the engine. If there is no RPM signal, I suspect something has happened to the crankshaft position sensor.

Let me know.

Joe

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Tuesday, December 17th, 2019 AT 6:04 PM

NPINPIN

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Hi Joe,
I checked behind the crankshaft pulley but there's no sensor. Now I'm really lost. That was the last to blame but this Rav 4 model doesn't have one.

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Saturday, December 21st, 2019 AT 8:51 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

Hi,

They all have one, so I'm a bit confused. Has the engine ever been replaced? Can you take a picture of the timing belt cover so I can see it. If the engine was replaced with a different year, the sensor can be located on the timing belt cover, but that isn't until 2001 when they changed to a chain. I checked from 1996 through 2000 to see if something was different than I sent you, but they are all the same.

I need you to check two more things. When you turn the key on to the run position, does the check engine light turn on? If it doesn't, for some reason the computer isn't waking up. If that is the case, in the vehicle fuse box (lower finish panel) check the two fuses I circled in the attached picture. If the fuses are good, then confirm there is power to the fuse box in those circuits.

Also, did you remove the distributor for any reason?

Here are a few links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-fuse-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

I am going to ask another tech if he has ever had one of these without a crank sensor. I've seen many, but never one without the sensor.

Take care and let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, December 21st, 2019 AT 9:02 PM

NPINPIN

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Hi Joe,
It's the original engine. I did remove the distributor cap and rotor to clean the contacts but not the entire assembly.
Turning the key to run, the check engine light is on. I checked the fuses that you mentioned and it's good and there's current. By the way I'm in Cayman islands and this Rav is RHD (may not be relevant). We also got a 97 Rav here with air bag and abs with the same engine and got no crankshaft sensor. I checked the wire that supplies the ignition coils and it got 12 but when I crank the engine the signal wire has none.
I'll check the links that you send me. I will update you again on this. So far the parts that I replaced were (in sequence) oil pressure sensor, spark plugs and wires, ignition coil, the part below the ignition coil on the firewall, they call it here the resistor or igniter, then the knock sensor-very hard to do, and the ecu. We also swapped all the relays on the engine bay from a running Rav 4 same model. Neutral safety switch is good. We did visual check on the wires and there was no damage except for a wire on the connector to the ecu but we already replaced/repaired it (I'll send you a picture later). That's what I did so far.

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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 9:52 AM

NPINPIN

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Here's the picture of the wire:

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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 9:59 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
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Hi,

You have me stumped because I don't know what triggers the spark without the crank sensor. I will continue looking into it. Let me know if you come across anything. Tomorrow, Monday, I will see if I can get anything from a friend who is a Nissan tech. I realize this isn't a Nissan, but they came from the same country so something may be similar.

Also, you are certain there are still no diagnostic codes, correct?

Let me know.
Joe

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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 7:06 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,256 POSTS

I have a question code 12? this is an obd2 car it should have an ALDL connector? Here is a guide to help you get the updated codes:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Monday, December 30th, 2019 AT 3:32 PM