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Old 10-07-2009, 12:37 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Knock Sensor?

Hi Everybody,

I just purchased a 2008 XL1200R (Roadster). I've been riding since 1963, but this is my first Harley (two 250cc Aermacchi's don't count).

I love it, BUT- I am getting a repeated ping/knock when it is hot at wide throttle settings in all gears. I've seen several references to an "ion knock sensor" in the 2007 and later bikes. I did a search here and nothing came up on "knock sensor". The search engine would not allow the three letter term "Ion".

Question: Do the new Harleys have a knock sensor? If so how do they work? Why does mine not seem to be doing its' job?

Thanks,
Rich
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Old 10-07-2009, 01:52 PM   #2 (permalink)
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No.

What they (Delphi EFI bikes) have is ION knock detection. The gap in the spark plug is used to detect pre-ignition and the ECU will retard timing if it's noted.

A "Knock sensor" was a Pezio sensor, which used vibration during pre-ignition, to sense when to retard timing.

With this ION knock detection, it's being discovered that people that replace their plug wires with aftermarket are seeing problems, due to interupting the signal to the ECU/Igniton.

You still have to run the proper octane fuel, and have a correct a/f mixture. It may be doing its job and retarding timeing, but if the issue causing the pre-ignition is more then the ECU can control, you can still have pinging.

Have you made any mods to the bike?

Is there an aftermarket fuel managment system on there?

With some of the F/M systems, you can turn the "Knock reatrd" feature off and on.
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Old 10-07-2009, 09:36 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Bone Stock

Hi Dave-

The bike is totally stock so far as I know. I am running 91 octane fuel. Today I replaced the stock plugs (6R12) with a Harley Shop recommended "Screaming Eagle" P/N 32192-10. The 6R12s were gapped at 0.40" and these new plugs are supposed to be gapped at
0.35". The ping/knock was gone except for just a little during a test run over San Agustine Pass (very steep) in 5th gear. I got just a couple of faint pings near the top of the pass. This was a big improvement.

I''l run it this way for a few miles and see what develops.

Thanks for the information on the ION sensor.

Rich
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Old 10-14-2009, 08:00 PM   #4 (permalink)
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I was told that the screaming eagle platinum plugs will not work, you need to keep the 6R12 plugs in for the anti knock feature to work properly.
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