PO326 Knock sensor

I have a car dealer who tells me that this code is coused by a blocked
cat converter. ($853.) WHOW. Has anyone had this similar problem code
and what resolved it. My Saturn is year 2002 SL engine L25 1.9LL4

 

While it is possible, it is not likely that CAT is plugged on your
2002. What are its issues other than code drivabilty wise?

 

Be sure to price-around for aftermarket cat.converters - IF that is
what the trouble REALLY IS. It is seldom the case, these days.
Good luck. Let us all know how it turns out.
JT

 

You must have a lot of miles on your 2002 car for it not to be covered
under an emissions warranty.

Are you subject to emissions testing where you live?

Where I live has recently dropped the testing. We went to a
reformulated gasoline. Before then, all aftermarket converters would
not allow the car to pass. You get what you pay for. If you buy
aftermarket, be sure to get the facts if the car will still not pass.

James

 

There are other tests for a blocked cat that should be performed
before laying out that kind of money. If they don't want to test
before replacing expensive parts, I think I'd go get another opinion.
I can't see how you could conclude that the cat is bad with the P0326
code, especially if that's the only code. The service manual for my
'97 Saturn lists these as possible causes for P0326: Valve Lifter
Noise, Belt Tensioner Noise, Loose Brackets, Cheap gas, Scuffed
Cylinders. The system tries to correct noises the knock sensor hears
by retarding spark. If it can't eliminate the noise by retarding, it
sets the code.

RK Henry

 

Good tips, CAT's rarely plug up and when they do it is usually on a
engine that has been running poorly for a long while too. I have yet
to have one personally and I have run some past 200K and they still
passed emissions too.

 

Henry 's post mentions cheap gas as a cause of this code and you say
you just changed to reformulated gas! Can you still get regular gas
and try resetting the code? If it is the cause it should go away after
two tanks.