I have a 1997 chevy truck. what amount the knock sensor real

I have a 1997 chevy truck. what amount the knock sensor really do and could it because a fantom miss?

Engine Knock is another term for predetonation or early detonation of the air fuel mixture in the engine cylinder as it's in its last phases of the compression stroke. Early detonation of the air fuel mixture can because knock as the cumbustion takes place before the piston is inside the correct range for detonation at near top dead center of stroke. throughout predetonation the piston not only is still trying to compress the air fuel mixture but now the air fuel mixture is in detonation and is expanding as it burns. The added affect over the piston will really ping or make a knock sound that resonates throught the engine casting. The bad part, as if this sin't bad enough for acceptable performance, is that this compressed detonating fuel is really pushing cylinder pressure beyond what it's intended for and results in piston burn and other valave train problems and if it's allowed to continue will result in engine failure. Many a drag strip evening was cut short caused by burnt pistons or worse for those that did not understand how to detect knock and change to prevent it. This probaly is not the stress you're subjecting your truck to but in time an uncorrected knock will stop knocking just about the time the engine fails. Three of the more liked culprets that because knock are one low grade or too low of an octane rated fuel for which the motor was intended to operate, two improper engine timing, and three high carbon build up in the combustion chamber. The Knock sensor detects the Knock resonating through the engine casting and the computer tries to change fuel delivery and engine timing to prevent damage and attempt to dial into the conditions that combustion is occurring. Yes a knock sensor could because a phantom miss but it's caused by something else causing a knock and the sensor and control module is trying to tune back the engine to prevent it. If engine maintenance and tuning is in good form and there aren't other part failures causing knock one of the simplest ways to find out if it is the fuel you're using is to go to a reputable gas station and bight the bullet and put in a good amount of premium grade fuel. If perfromance improves and the phantom miss goes away then the choice is what do you want to pay for, expensive gas or a new set of pistons. If it does not clear up its time to hook up a scope and address some tuning issues or find another failing part that's causing the problem. I have a 95 K 2500 with a 454 CID TBI engine with 220K miles. It demands premium fuel and I too recently tried the cheaper stuff and a recent trip home with a loaded car trailer behind it was nearly embarrassing. I went back to premium and on the next loaded trip I was feeling the common power house I have been used to for more than twelve years. The truck busted me being cheap at the pump.

30 year retired master ASE tech and this is not my 1st rodeo.

if the engine pings/detonates/knocks then the sensor will retard the timing somewhat to stop the knock.

A knock sensor consists of a small piezoelectric microphone, on the engine block, connected to the engine's ECU. Spectral analysis can be used to detect the trademark frequency made by detonation at different RPM. When detonation is detected the ignition timing is retarded, decreasing the knocking and defending the engine. you may have to replace your plugs and use a higher grade of gasoline .

I could guess that as the knock sensor changes the timing it's possible it may. But more probably an injector or a spark plug or plug wire. If it's detectable it'll set a code and turn on the check engine lite.

I own a shop, and without to get too technical here, lets just say the knock sensor retards the ignition timing up to as much as ten degrees, and could play no role in a miss. A phantom, or intermittent miss should not be caused by the decrease in ignition timing by the knock sensor. attempt this: Use a long extension or pipe, and bang on the engine block near the sensor. As you do this it'll reduce the timing, and it should because a obvious change in the engine rpm's. that means the knock control system is working properly. Any problem with the circuit will set a code, and a check engine light should come on. A miss as you're talking about is typically caused by a sticking injector. buy a bottle of STP black bottle only fuel injector cleaner, and add to 3/4 of a tank of fuel, and this should resolve the issue. This miss may also be caused by fire jumping from a plug wire, but from my experience, a fuel injector sticking momentarily is the culprit 90% of the time.
Glad to help, Good Luck.