AT wrote:99 Solara 5spd, S/C 6lb pulley, Greddy Exhaust.
Check engine light comes on Toyota said it was Knock sensor. I think that once the CEL is on the car will retard timing and you will lose power if it is the knock sensor. If I reset the car (disconnect battery and reconnect) then the timing is reset and the car runs great until the CEL comes on again. I changed to a different brand of gas still using 93 octane and after a week the light went away by itself for about 8 days then the light came back this weekend and I reset it again. I called TRD; a tech there said replace both knock sensors (Solara has 2). He also said that they have been known to go bad after the supercharger install but that if replaced the problem will go away (I don't know if I believe that). Knock sensor will cost about $175/ea.
I was told by a few people on forums to:
-use 93 octane
-install colder plugs Denso Iridium IK22
-get S-AfC and tune car
What I plan to do is change plugs and continue to use 93 octane gas. If I still get the light then I will replace knock sensors.
Do you feel your car losing power when the CEL comes on? I get the CEL
from time to time, and then it shuts off on it's own after a few days. I don't feel any difference in power when it's on. I have had it scanned, and it's a problem with knock sensor #2. I have also heard that some people have replaced the knock sensors and then have had no further problems. Since you can run 93 octane gas (I assume that you don't live in California), you will probably be OK if you replace the knock sensors and then follow the other recommendations that you listed.