PO33C error code PSA

PSA!! PSA!!

BLUF: mice have nested and chewed through knock sensor wires, finally throwing a code last week. Check your engines!!

Long story short: Noticed some oddities the past few months. Poor(er than usual) mpg. Normally in the 18-19 zone (yep, even with the lift and rubber) but have been seeing 14-15 the last few months, with occasional avg in the 17mpg range. During this time, I also noticed what seemed to be a lack of power in the upper gears. The truck would often jump down to 4th even on small hills and would take a while to get back into 5th and 6th after letting up on the gas significantly. I even had the tranny serviced back in March, as it was due for the 60k check up. The problem wasn’t consistent and all *looked* well.

Fast forward to last week. Finally threw the PO33C code indicating a knock sensor was Tango Uniform. Along with the code, the Traction Control error would display and the transmission would not shift to 5 or 6. Transmission was locked up. No OD. Power was OK, but not like it used to be.
Evidently these knock sensors are an integral piece of the fuel/air ratio calculation.

The mice won this battle.

Swapped out the knock sensor harness this morning.
Not a difficult job. About 2 hrs with the learning curves and general cleaning. There are several decent videos online to assist with where to start, but at the end of the day, not a bad job. Make sure you label (or take photos) of where stuff is supposed to end up!! Lol.

Test drive went well. ALL the power is back!! Transmission smooth as melted butter and it will stay in 6th MUCH longer on the hills than it has done in the last few months past. The quick trip, cold engine and tranny, saw an 18.2 avg. This is something I have not seen in a long while and that average was generally reserved for a fully warmed up vehicle. I’m hopeful I’ll start seeing the 19mpg or even 20?

The new harness was $40.

For some reason, this intake manifold (unlike others I’ve had on other V8 engines) sits up on runners, creating about a 2-3 inch gap on TOP of the engine block. Add foam insulation and lots of hidey holes and it’s a mouse castle.

Keep an eye out for the meeses. Those little bastards get into everything.

EDIT: If you have mouse concerns, check your cabin air filter box as well!! Like I said, the little bastards get into everything.

 

Damn... that sucks.

 

thanks for this.

 

Well…not too shabby. I’ll take it.