Code Definition

P0331 — Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2)

System: Powertrain  |  Type: Generic (OBD-II Standard)  |  Make: Generic

About P0331

P0331 is a generic (obd-ii standard) powertrain diagnostic trouble code. It belongs to the P-prefix family of codes, which covers engine, transmission, emissions, or fuel-system faults.

When P0331 is stored, the module has detected a plausibility fault — the measured value is in the electrical range but is not consistent with expected operating behaviour; a bank-specific fault, meaning it applies only to one cylinder bank of a multi-bank engine; and a sensor-related fault — the reported value from the named sensor is out of spec.

Scanning & clearing: A generic OBD-II scan tool will usually read and clear powertrain (P) codes. For live data, freeze-frame capture, and bi-directional tests you may need a more capable scan tool that supports the vehicle's ECM protocol.

Because P0331 is a generic OBD-II code, its base definition is shared across manufacturers. The specific diagnostic steps, reference values, and repair procedures can vary by vehicle, and the TaT Diagnostic Assistant includes verified procedures submitted by working technicians.

Code Information

The Engine Control Module uses knock sensor 2 on bank 2 to listen for the characteristic vibration frequency produced by abnormal combustion, allowing it to retard ignition timing before detonation damages the engine. The sensor is a piezoelectric device that generates its own small AC voltage in proportion to engine block vibration, and the module filters that signal within a specific frequency window and compares its amplitude against a background noise model that varies with engine speed and load. DTC P0331 sets when the signal from knock sensor 2 is present but implausible, meaning the amp...

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