Cam Shaft Position Sensor

[Coffee331]

I used a very expensive Ebay OBD code reader on my car the other day. It showed up a cam shaft position sensor error but didnt really give me a whole lot of info outside of that.

The car runs and drives fine and doesnt have any of the typical issues associated with a faulty cam sensor.

Is it just that the code reader is useless (likely lol) or that the fault is not that big of a deal?

Thanks

 

[GazHyde]

I had this with my 2.2, fault code showing when read but no real visible issues. Eventually changed it and my fuel consumption and power picked up considerably. If that code has always been there, you may not know any different!

Best off buying OEM sensors, and there are generally 2. One on the inlet and one on the exhaust side of the cams. As to which one, the codes generally don't tell you!

 

[Coffee331]

Thanks Gaz, do you know is it an easy job or does it need a proper mechanic?

 

[GazHyde]

Thanks Gaz, do you know is it an easy job or does it need a proper mechanic?

Not the worst to get to, definitely in the realms of the average home mechanic.

 

[GazHyde]

Can't remember which engine you have, but there is a write up in the article section for the M52 2.8.

https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-m52tu-cam-sensor-replacement.68/

 

[Coffee331]

thank you!

 

[t-tony]

I did a how to when I changed the inlet ca sensor on my year 2000 2.0 Z3. Its on here somewhere but as im on my phone waiting at hospital im not sure where it is. Most likey tbe inlet cam though!

Tony.

 

[Brian4]

I did a how to when I changed the inlet ca sensor on my year 2000 2.0 Z3. Its on here somewhere but as im on my phone waiting at hospital im not sure where it is. Most likey tbe inlet cam though!

Tony.

Hope nothing serious.

@Coffee331 As tony says in the write up best to buy OEM Quality or from Dealers.
Here's the link
https://zroadster.org/threads/inlet-camshaft-sensor-replacement.8931/

 

[t-tony]

Thank you Brian, you must be a mind reader was just searching for that article mate.

Tony.

 

[Coffee331]

Thanks guys...I think I will tackle this soon enough

 

[t-tony]

Thanks guys...I think I will tackle this soon enough

Really is an easy job mate. If you need to ask anything when you're doing it PM me and I'll help.

Tony.

 

[colb]

Before spending out on a sensor have you tried clearing the code and seeing if it comes back?
May have been a one off occurrence that set it in the first place.

 

[Coffee331]

I did...but it came back

 

[g8jka]

Just had a similar problem with my fiances mini, although it was running rough. Scanned it with a C110 scanner which through up a lambda and camshaft sensor error so I changed both and nothing changed, cleared the code took it for a spin and it kept coming back. Tried cleaning them, swapping between the 2 and still couldn't clear it. Scanned it with an Autel scanner which gave a misfire on cylinder 3, cleared but kept coming back so before I spent anymore money on parts I got a proper scan from a mini specialist which cost £50 and showed a misfire on 2 cylinders. Advised me to change the spark plugs which was my next step, so I did and bingo it drives normal again now. And it also got rid of the camshaft and lambda errors so I spent money on 2 sensors which didn't need doing

If it drives fine and your not having any problems I would leave it alone, although camshaft sensors are not that expensive to change and are pretty easy to do. Sometimes the cheap scanners throw up a code which isn't even related to the correct error, it might be a leak on a hose or something else which causes it to run incorrectly and throw up a camshaft error when its not the sensor at fault.

 

[Coffee331]

Just had a similar problem with my fiances mini, although it was running rough. Scanned it with a C110 scanner which through up a lambda and camshaft sensor error so I changed both and nothing changed, cleared the code took it for a spin and it kept coming back. Tried cleaning them, swapping between the 2 and still couldn't clear it. Scanned it with an Autel scanner which gave a misfire on cylinder 3, cleared but kept coming back so before I spent anymore money on parts I got a proper scan from a mini specialist which cost £50 and showed a misfire on 2 cylinders. Advised me to change the spark plugs which was my next step, so I did and bingo it drives normal again now. And it also got rid of the camshaft and lambda errors so I spent money on 2 sensors which didn't need doing

If it drives fine and your not having any problems I would leave it alone, although camshaft sensors are not that expensive to change and are pretty easy to do. Sometimes the cheap scanners throw up a code which isn't even related to the correct error, it might be a leak on a hose or something else which causes it to run incorrectly and throw up a camshaft error when its not the sensor at fault.

I have always felt that the engine should have more to offer below 3000 rpm in terms of grunt, but having said that's it's felt the same from day one since I got the car.

So I don't know if it's a characteristic of the engine or if it's a symptom of an underlying problem. My daily is a very different car so maybe I am just used to the low down push because of that.

 

[lucky jim]

I have always felt that the engine should have more to offer below 3000 rpm in terms of grunt, but having said that's it's felt the same from day one since I got the car.

So I don't know if it's a characteristic of the engine or if it's a symptom of an underlying problem. My daily is a very different car so maybe I am just used to the low down push because of that.

I used a very expensive Ebay OBD code reader on my car the other day. It showed up a cam shaft position sensor error but didnt really give me a whole lot of info outside of that.

The car runs and drives fine and doesnt have any of the typical issues associated with a faulty cam sensor.

Is it just that the code reader is useless (likely lol) or that the fault is not that big of a deal?

Thanks

hi ive got a 2l 6 cly. had intermittent bad starting & cutting out code reader pointed to outlet cam sensor changed both £ 10 each on ebay both dead easy change outlet sensor had to remove solenoid so easy & cheep change anyway & be done with it.

 

[Coffee331]

Replaced both sensors on Saturday...pretty handy job with the useful how to links!

 

[GazHyde]

Replaced both sensors on Saturday...pretty handy job with the useful how to links!

How does the car feel now, any difference?

 

[Coffee331]

How does the car feel now, any difference?

Big difference...I always thought sub 3500rpm the car felt flat...but now there is a sort of lightness in the engine (if that makes sense). It picks up nicely and is happy to head up along the rev range.

Before it kind of felt like the car was saying "noooooooooo!!!" before 3500rpm, but not anymore!