Hey yall, I have an 02 ranger with the 4.0 SOHC. I was driving home from work and the truck died on me, I pulled over to the side of the road and tried to restart it but it just cranks and doesn't start up. The only engine code it showed was the knock sensor but I've had 3 family friends (all of which are mechanics who own or have owned their own shops) tell me it sounded like my timing chain broke. So I guess I'm asking if...

1. Could a knock sensor cause my car to die and not start?

2. Could a broken timing belt cause a knock sensor code?

I would really appreciate any help, thanks.

 

What was the actual code? Pxxxx

 

My 02 had the same thing happen and it was the computer that died.

 

How many miles on your '02?

The knock sensor effects ignition timing so I doubt any signal it could produce (or fail to produce) would cause the engine to die while driving.
I believe only the crank sensor (and maybe a cam position sensor) is used to start the engine.

The 4.0l SOHC has timing chains not a timing belt. If either broke in a running engine there'd be a noise or two made. Any such 'bucking & banging" is likely to generate a slew of codes.
Like Supercab asked, what was the actual code? Were the codes erased after reading?

That the engine cranked -apparently without making a symphony of clanking noises- when you tried it is a good thing.

Something like a fuel pump could have failed (not as likely in a running engine). The fuel supply dropping to nil could make the sensor spit out a code.
Listen for the fuel pump to run for 2 seconds when next you attempt starting. No sound? Check fuses.

See if something odd occurred at the spark coil pack. Check for a huge burn mark or disconnected 4 wire plug (its power and operation plug). The ignition system MUST have a fuse too.

Look for physical damage like a broken throttle cable.

Throw any additives into the tank recently?

 

No, knock sensor can't stall an engine or cause a no start


Turn on the key
The CEL(check engine light) should come ON, if not computer is not powered on
Try to start, CEL should go OFF while engine is tuning, this means computer is seeing a timing signal so will start spark and fuel injectors

If CEL goes off then you will need to do 50/50 test
Spray fuel into the engine and then try to start the engine
Pull off the large air hose from engine intake
Spray gasoline or Quick Start(ether) into the engine, you can leave the air tube off as long as fan doesn't hit it
Try to start the engine
If it fires/starts and then dies your problem is lack of fuel in the engine, so gas tank is empty or fuel pump is bad(gas gauge level doesn't mean you have gas in the tank, lol)
If it still doesn't start add more fuel to confirm, but its most likely a spark or compression issue
50/50 instant results

99% of the time its a fuel issue

But 4.0l SOHC did have timing chain issues, which causes a lack of compression, so stall and no start
You would have had "rattle" noises for at least a few month before this, did you?
Just happening "out of the blue" is possible but not likely

 

The code it threw was P0325. Truck has about 223,xxx miles on it.

 

P0325 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction

On the 4.0l SOHC look on the passenger side of engine, intake side of the valve cover, and you will see a 2 wire connector, so 4 wires, one wire will be broken, fairly common issue on the 4.0l SOHC after 10-15 years or so, wires get brittle from the heat

For sure, NOT the cause of stalling or No Start