Bank 2 knock sensor circuit fault.
P0330 — also written PO33O, P 0330, 0330 — is the OBD-II code for knock sensor 2 circuit malfunction. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the ECU can't hear the 'heartbeat' of your engine's combustion on Bank 2, usually because the knock sensor or its wiring is knackered. It’s very common on V6 Jaguars and older Lexus models where the loom gets brittle with age.
P0330 is a sensors fault code, typically costing £90–£400 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0330 actually feels like to drive
- The car feels 'flat' or sluggish, especially when you're trying to overtake on the A9.
- Fuel economy takes a nose-dive because the ECU pulls the ignition timing back to 'safe' mode.
- A distinct pinking or rattling sound under heavy load (like driving uphill in a high gear).
- The EML (Engine Management Light) stays on, usually appearing once the engine is up to temperature.
- Rough idling or a slight hesitation when you first pull away from the lights.
What causes P0330?
- Failed sensor
- Wiring damage
- Corroded connector
UK vehicles that throw P0330 most often
- Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 (2008-2015)
- Lexus RX300 / RX350 (2003-2009)
- Range Rover Sport 4.2 / 4.4 V8 (2005-2009) SUV
- Vauxhall Insignia 2.8 V6 Turbo (A28NER)
- Toyota Land Cruiser 4.7 V8 (UZJ100)
- Volkswagen Touareg 3.2 V6 (2002-2006)
How P0330 is fixed
- Replace sensor
- Repair loom
The P0330 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see lads throwing new sensors at these P0330 codes all the time, only to find the light pops back on five miles down the road. On V6 engines like the older Vauxhall Omegas or Range Rover Sports, the knock sensor is buried deep in the 'V' of the block. Mice and squirrels love nesting in there during a cold Scottish winter because it’s warm. They chew right through the sub-loom. Nine times out of ten, it’s a wire that's been turned into a snack, not a internal failure of the piezo element itself.
What a UK garage should charge for P0330
For a basic diagnostic plug-in, expect to pay £50 to £80. If it’s an easy-to-reach sensor, a Bosch or Denso unit will set you back about £40-£70 plus an hour's labour (£60-£90). However, if it’s a 'manifold off' job like on a Jaguar, you’re looking at 3-4 hours of labour, pushing the total bill toward £350 or £400. Main dealers will easily double that, charging upwards of £150 per hour just for the privilege of sitting in their waiting room.
P0330 repair cost in the UK
Most P0330 repairs land between £90–£400 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0330
If a garage quotes you for a 'simple sensor swap', ask them if they’re going to perform a continuity test from the ECU plug to the sensor connector first. If they aren't, they're just guessing with your wallet. On some transverse V6s, getting to Bank 2 requires removing the inlet manifold—if they're doing that, insist they replace the manifold gaskets with genuine Elring or Victor Reinz ones. Never, ever use a cheap £15 eBay sensor; they’re often just a resistor in a plastic housing and won't actually 'listen' for pre-detonation, which could cost you an engine.
Can you drive with P0330?
Yes.
Urgency: medium.