200 Accord knock sensor location.

I'm trying to locate the knock sensor on a 2000 accord with the F23A4
engine. The service manual shows a poor picture where it appears to be
just below the valve cover in the middle of the block. I know it
should be a small threaded piece with an electrical connection to it.
Anyone know where it is located ? I just started experiencing pinging
under light to moderate load. I've tried different brands of gasoline.
The ignition timing in this car is controlled by the ECM and
supposedly not adjustable. Any ideas ?

 

The drawing at www.slhondaparts.com might help. It's item 14
in the drawing of the cylinder block-oil pan. You might
first locate the big 28 mm (= approx. diameter of its
threads) engine block coolant drain plug (item #28) on the
back of the engine. Then look also for the oil pressure
switch (#15). The knock sensor seems to be sort of in
between.

Googling for sets of words like {engine pinging under load
"knock sensor" accord} turns up a lot on this. A defective
knock sensor is indeed possibly behind the knock problems.
So are wrong ignition timing, wrong spark plugs (are you
using those prescribed in your owner's manual, probably
NGKs?), and EGR system problems.

I want to double check: Did you check your service manual
for the procedure for setting timing? From the parts
drawings, ISTM it should be adjustable like those of earlier
Hondas: With (1) a timing light (2) aimed at marks etched
into the crankshaft pulley, (3) followed by rotation of the
entire distributor housing. But I could be wrong...

Look for the marks on your Accord's crankshaft pulley like
those shown in http://www.norcalcrx.org/fig_6.jpg . The
procedure for an earlier Honda is then described at
http://www.norcalcrx.org/ht.html#ignition . This might get
you started.

Keep checking back, of course.