How can I monitor knock retard?

[mock_glh]

I need to be able to monitor knock retard, or perhaps spark timing in general. What device is anyone using to do this?

[Clay]

you can use an OTC scanner to monitor knock and knock retart. Most people are using the 2000 or 4000 versions.

[minigts]

If you want to monitor knock, just do what Clay says, but PLEASE don't call me a retard. That hurts...

[Clay]

hehehe

yeah, I guess you cant really see how much timing the computer is pulling because of knock, but you can datalog the OTC and see how much overall timing it will pull when it detects knock.

retard.

;)

[minigts]

hehe, I was in a goofy mood today.

[GLHNSLHT2]

The OTC tells you exactly how many degrees of timing it's pulling out when knock occurs.

[TopDollar69]

If the computer doesn't detect knock, will the timing stay above 10 on the otc at WOT?

[iTurbo]

The OTC tells you exactly how many degrees of timing it's pulling out when knock occurs.

...not to mention on an individual cylinder basis. I use an OTC 4000E and it works great for this.

[TopDollar69]

I tried that on my OTC2000, and I don't get anything on the individual cylinders, but it does show knock when you have it on the knka or knock for all cylinders mode.

[iTurbo]

Not sure about the OTC 2000, but on my 4000E I configure the top line of parameters like:

KNK1 KNK2 KNK3 KNK4

There is also a KNKA (knock active) parameter and a real time voltage output of the knock sensor.

[TopDollar69]

Yeah, the KNK1-4 are shown in number format 000, but they never change, even when the KNKA changes from NO to YES. Have you ever noticed a change in the KNK1-4?

[GLHNSLHT2]

mine change on my OTC2k. sure you got the right car set into it? Mine will give wierd readings unless I have the right car programmed in. That's why I like the 89 smecs they auto id into the scanner :)

[TopDollar69]

I'm running an 89 computer in my 88 Lebaron, and it did ID it as an 89 vin J 2.5L turbo. The funny thing is when I hooked it up to my wifes 89 TII GTC I had to select between three different PN SMECs for the VIN A TII. It finally worked on the 3rd option. Of course that car doesnt have any knock, so I wasn't able to really compare. I guess I need to play around with it some more. I wish I would have made the cable longer though, as I have to run it through the fender all the time so I have enough length to put it inside the car.

[Dave]

hehehe

yeah, I guess you cant really see how much timing the computer is pulling because of knock, but you can datalog the OTC and see how much overall timing it will pull when it detects knock.

retard.

;)

How can you datalog off a OTC scanner? I don't remember seeing a USB port. But then again that's the only way I know how to DL because that's how we do it on my VW. :evil:

I'll be hooking up a Genisis scanner to mine as soon as I get my alky to work. I don't see too many people using this scan tool. It seems to have a lot more parameters in the data stream.

[TopDollar69]

The OTC uses a RS232 or serial output to datalog. This is usually a 9 pin connector that seems to be getting harder and harder to find on laptops.

[WickedShelby88]

Umm yeah Genisys.. that the high end later model unit that is just unbelievably bad a$$. Those are excellent for diagnosing with problems in electronically shifter trannys not to mention being able to read parameters unseen in lessor tools.. When we demoed a genisys I never wanted to go back to our old Crap-On MT2500..

[Aries_Turbo]

csxtra has the details of datalogging from an OTC on his webpage which the address is located in his signature on here.

Brian

[MiniMopar]

The frame rate generated by the OTC is very slow, at least with the logging software I used. About 1-2 frames per second. Besides KNK1-4 and KNKA, there is also KNKV. They change and recover quickly though, so I find it hard to use as any sort of warning. A cal with the CEL knock mod is helpful to get your attention and then you can look down at the OTC to see which cylinder(s) is being pulled-back.

[Dave]

Genisys, thank you. :) It is a very useful tool. I hooked it up today and it lost communication rather quickly. I think it may be a bad connection but I think it may be the scan tool. Has anyone else had problems with newer scanners and our old junkers?