Lexus RX knock sensor issue

Hey, that sounds familiar. I had almost the same symptoms with my old Opel Corsa. Check engine light, rough idle, and the fuel economy went south. I initially thought it was the spark plugs or something, but a friend mentioned the knock sensor. I'm not a mechanic, so what exactly does the knock sensor do anyway? And is it easy to check the cable?

Thanks for the reply! From what I understand, the knock sensor listens for engine knocking and adjusts the ignition timing to prevent damage. I'm wondering if it's worth trying to clean the contacts on the connector first, or if I should just replace the sensor outright.

Okay, ignition timing makes sense. With my Corsa, I tried cleaning the contacts, but the light came back on after a few days. Honestly, unless you're really comfortable working on cars, I'd recommend taking it to a workshop. I ended up doing that and it saved me a lot of headache. They can properly diagnose it and replace the sensor if needed.

Appreciate the advice! Took it to the workshop, and you were spot on. It was indeed the knock sensor and the cable connector had corrosion. 95€ later, the light's off, the engine's running smooth, and the fuel consumption is back to normal.