Hi, I've been a lurker for about 3 years now and only now created an account to get some advise.

While cleaning my 2005 DE engine bay today, I noticed a rag under the runners, which stumped me. So I grabbed my mechanical fingers and pulled them out to find out that a rodent made my car it's home while I was away. While it was the I guess it felt the need to make some adjustments. So it chewed off the harness off of the knock sensor. I know it's an easy replacement but I have a few questions. I got a tune done to my car about a year ago where I didn't know if it was already disconnected due to it never throwing a code. If so will it upset my tune or engine in general once reconnect it?

Any input is much appreciated! I'll attack some pics.

 

The knock sensor is simply a microphone that listens for a very specific frequency (~60.6k hertz I believe on our engines).

I would reinstall it no matter what and if you need to freshen up your tune I would do so. My last resort would be to run without that sensor.

 

I've read some horror stories about rodents in these cars, primarily in areas with cold snowy winters when Zs go into garage hibernation. Be happy he didn't get into your AC ducting! Definitely fix/replace the knock sensor!
-Icer

 

My daily driven Jeep even had problems in Vegas during the winter. They were living on top of my engine and in the airbox. Need to figure out a plan for next winter