Parts for your 2013 Toyota Land cruiser-Knock sensor

2013 Toyota LandCruiser knock sensor — is it actually used?

For Australia and New Zealand–spec 2013 LandCruiser 200 Series (VDJ200 with the 1VD‑FTV 4.5‑litre twin‑turbo diesel), a conventional knock sensor is not fitted or used. This isn’t guesswork — Toyota’s technical literature for the diesel model lists no knock sensor in the engine control system, no knock‑sensor circuit in the wiring diagrams, and no knock‑sensor part in the EPC (parts catalogue). By contrast, petrol V8 LandCruiser 200 variants sold in other regions (URJ200 with 3UR‑FE/1UR‑FE) do use knock sensors — two, one per bank.

• Toyota Repair Manual, VDJ200 (1VD‑FTV) Engine Control System: sensor list and EWD show no knock sensor
• Toyota New Car Features (NCF) for 1VD‑FTV: sensor configuration excludes a knock sensor
• Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC), 2013 VDJ200: no knock sensor listed under Engine/EFI
• Toyota Repair Manual, URJ200 (3UR‑FE): includes two knock sensors and related DTCs (e.g., P0325/P0330)

Why the difference? Diesel combustion is compression‑ignition and inherently “noisy”, with the ECU managing combustion by injection timing, rail pressure, pilot injections and feedback from sensors like MAF/MAP, crank/cam position, fuel pressure and exhaust temperature. Spark‑knock (detonation) — the event a knock sensor targets on petrol engines — isn’t part of normal diesel operation, so a dedicated knock sensor isn’t needed on the 1VD‑FTV.

What if an owner hears “knock” on a 2013 LandCruiser diesel? Because there’s no knock sensor to diagnose or replace, attention should go to diesel‑specific causes: injector pilot/main timing issues, injector balance rates, poor fuel quality, excessive combustion noise when cold, or hard engine mounts. Scans with manufacturer‑level tooling, injector feedback checks, and rail‑pressure control tests are the right pathway — not a knock‑sensor replacement that doesn’t apply to this engine.

Note for grey‑import petrol 200 Series owners: the URJ200 V8 does have two knock sensors mounted in the valley under the intake. They aren’t a scheduled service item but are replaced if fault codes indicate a failed sensor or circuit. Replacement requires intake removal and correct torque on the sensor bolts to avoid false readings.

Popular questions

Does a 2013 LandCruiser 200 diesel (VDJ200) have a knock sensor?
No. The Toyota service manual, wiring diagrams and EPC for the 1VD‑FTV list no knock sensor. Combustion control on this diesel relies on injection strategy and other sensors, not knock detection.

Which 2013 LandCruiser models use knock sensors?
Petrol V8 variants (URJ200 with 3UR‑FE/1UR‑FE) use two knock sensors — one per bank — mainly sold in markets like North America and the Middle East. These are uncommon in AU/NZ unless privately imported.

My scan app shows a knock‑sensor code on a diesel 200 — what now?
Generic OBD apps can display non‑applicable codes. Because the 1VD‑FTV has no knock sensor, use Toyota‑capable diagnostics to read manufacturer‑specific DTCs and focus on diesel‑relevant checks (injector feedback, rail pressure, MAF/MAP, EGR performance).