P0332: Knock/Combustion Vibration Sensor B Circuit Low
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes - timing is conservatively retarded; use premium fuel if any pinging until repaired.
Symptoms
- Slight power loss
- Pinging under load in hot weather
Likely causes, most common first
- Bank 2 knock sensor aged
- Wiring damage under the intake
- Loose or corroded sensor mounting
Read P0332 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0332 is low signal from the bank 2 knock sensor - the V-engine counterpart of P0325. Labor dominates the bill on engines where the sensors hide beneath the intake manifold; many owners bundle the repair with other under-intake work.
The interim safety net is the computer's retarded timing plus, if you hear pinging, higher-octane fuel until the appointment.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Owner reports mentioning P0332
“I have had this 2011 arcadia for less then a month. The dealer I bought it from assured me that the only issue it had was it needed a new a/c condenser. ( permanent codes, p0008, p0332, p0017 ) (pending codes p0161, p0332, p0017 ) ( stored codes, p0332, p0008 ) severe urgency replace timing chains and related components, t chain x1 t chain x1 t chain x2 timing tensioner x1 x1 x1 x1. I havent even been able to drive it and the sold me the car on false pretenses. They wont help me with fixing it, they wont even fix the a/c condenser. Im going through a divorce and I put the only money I had into this car. I dont know what to do.”2011 GMC Acadia · Nov 2020 · 163,000 mi
“My vehicle's "service engine soon" light continues to light up even after having the code erased. Many other owners of chevrolet suburbans have the same issue. Obd code p0332 states the knock sensor has low voltage. The problem many people have is when water or moisture gets into the engine compartment water begins to pool over the sensor and seep into the sensors. The lacking of water seal in this pooling area damages the sensors. The vehicle thus cannot pass it's bi-yearly smog test and also creates a false sense of vehicle reliability. If other issues come up other than the bad sensors the driver would never know. *tr”2001 Chevrolet Suburban · Jun 2012 · 104,500 mi
Cars that report P0332 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0332?
Yes - timing is conservatively retarded; use premium fuel if any pinging until repaired.
How much does it cost to fix P0332?
Typical US repair costs range from $80 for the simplest fix (knock sensor (bank 2)) to $700 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.