Well i never updated this thread with the eventual 'cure'. so here it is, for anyone searching for info on the same fault.
So i replaced the Knock Sensor itself, and it was still throwing a code 34 - knock sensor, so after looking at the possible causes, and eliminating a few, including changing the knock sensor itself, i changed the coilpacks.
OEM items were coming up pretty pricey, and wherever possible i like to upgrade instead of simply replace, so i went for those blue tops :thumbs:
Splitfire DIS-007's
After a week wait, and a hefty £50 import fee, they were here. I hastily got to fitting them and to my disappointment it didn't cure the fault :down:
Having a rare free day i could spend on her, i decided to crack on. I traced the knock sensor loom back, which turned out to be only 8-9 inches long! removed it for inspection.
This is what i found!
Looks like the loom was the problem all along
I managed to find a replacement knock sensor loom.
I stripped it apart to inspect it, as that's how i found the split in the old one. all good, so was time to fit.
Being as you have to remove the knock sensor to swap over the loom, it was such a frustrating job, as its positioned right under the inlet manifold, only accessible from underneath.
Alternator off, oil filter off - and its still only at 'finger tip' reach. a lot of swearing later and it was fitted.
Replaced the oil filter, re-fitted the alternator, re-connected the battery, turned the engine over - did the paperclip trick - code 55 - no fault.
I took it for a test drive and to my delight, IT WAS FIXED!
Finally she drove how it should, and it fets amazing. Power all the way through the rev range, for the first time since it rolled onto English soil.