Bad knock sensor ?

2000 Blazer 4.3 always use Exxon/Mobil 87 octane....I notice quite often that when I am revving up like going up a hill before the transmission shifts the engine starts to ping like crazy. Can the knock sensor be bad even though I don't have a check engine light or any codes ?

Thanks !

Done a tuneup lately?

Ever changed the fuel filter?

Sure did. Gas filter/pcv valve are a year old and have 11K on them, plugs, cap, rotor and wires and air filter have a month and 500 miles on them. Everything is GM except the wires are NAPA brand. I am about to change the pcv and gas filter this weekend just to make sure.

Anyone ?

The Knock sensor is a piezoelectric device. If it were bad, you should get a code on the OBDII. However, IMHO, it could be bad but I doubt it.

I would check the base timing first and ensure that that is correct.

If you had a scan tool that reads data you could take a hammer and tap on the engine block while looking at the knock sensor data and see if it changes the timing.
I would check your EGR valve and clean it out and the manifold. It might not be working at max out put under load.
Fireplug