Intermittent check engine light

[Valheru]

Hey guys, I just picked up my 88 turbo supra 2 weeks ago and have resolved most of the problems it had. I'm currently trying to narrow down a knock sensor generated check engine light. Most of the info I found says that re-wiring the knock sensors will solve the light. However the light is not constant, when I start the car the light is not on. I can rev the engine to redline at a decent speed and not set off the light but the second I gas it hard the light comes on. I'm just trying to determine if this is just the wiring or if I actually have some engine knock. I've never experienced engine knock before so I don't know of any symptoms or sounds caused by it. I'd just rather not waste my time by re-wiring
the sensors since they're so hard to get to if that's not going to resolve the issue. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Poodles]

The light goes on when there is a fault with the system, not when they detect knock.

 

[Valheru]

Gotcha, so it is the wiring then. What is the point of the knock sensor then if not to warn of a potentially hazardous engine condition? Are all adjustments for engine knock controlled by the ecu?

 

[Poodles]

Yes.

ECU advances timing until it detects knock, and then backs down.

This happens on the fly.

It's why if you have that code you'll be down on power as it pulls timing in order to protect the engine from detonation.