knock sensor 2002 4runner

I need help locating the knock sensor on a 2002 toyota 4runner. the check engine light is on and the code said it's the knock sensor.

Assuming you have the 6-cylinder engine, there are two knock sensors on the center inboard side of the block under the heads below the intake manifold. Download the Toyota FSM from the sticky post at the top of this forum and find the diagram showing the components of the engine block.

do i have to remove the intake manifold to get to them?

Yes, but the sensors themselves don't normally go bad. The majority of the time, a bad sensor signal is the fault of either the wiring (crimped or broken) or the knock sensor connection.

To remove the sensors, you have to drain the coolant, remove the air cleaner hose, the upper timing belt cover, the intake air connector, the fuel pressure regulator, the intake manifold, and the water bypass pipe.

See page SF-49 of the FSM