Error codes 08, 53, 41 Z3 2.8

[Dino D]

Hi all,
Have hooked my car up and read the codes and have gotten the following:
08 Air mass flow sensor
53 crankshaft sensor
41 camshaft sensor



The symptoms when driving all pointed to on or all of the above. I bought a code reader so I could see which of the 3 need changing. Didn't expect to have all three fail!

My question now is can it be that all three of these sensors need changing together or has failure one triggered errors on the others.
As these bits are fairly pricey (I believe I must use OEM only) I would like to hope that not all need doing at once.
I will be fitting the parts myself.

 

[jonco]

I'm sure a `real' expert will be along soon but the problem I had when I first read my codes is that you don't know whether they are current or historical.
I reset the few I had on mine and then went for a drive and re-checked them - fortunately only one came back in which made it a lot easier!.

 

[Brian H]

^^^ Good advise, reset them, go for a run and see what re-appears.

Will your code reader allow you to see the date of the codes?
Can you see how many errors occurred for each fault?

 

[Dino D]

Good tips.
Now I remember I've tried driving with MAF unplugged to eliminate that so that would have triggered a code for that for sure.
Not sure what extra features this reader has will check it out. My car is not OBD2 so not sure if it stores dates etc anyway.

 

[Dino D]

So cleared codes and had a drive.
Just showing error 53 Crankshaft sensor.
Now off to find the part number and get it ordered!

 

[GazHyde]

Now off to find the part number and get it ordered!

Don't forget to give Soper BMW Lincoln a call for the forum discount

 

[lmrdave]

Definately clear the codes, drive and check again, mine had 14 MAF codes as I'd been unplugging to see if it ran an differently while trying to trace a fault. Mine was crank sensor in the end, found after clearing a reading it again.
Don't buy cheap sensors go for BMW, wasted money on pattern one that ran worse than the broken BMW one!

 

[Dino D]

Don't forget to give Soper BMW Lincoln a call for the forum discount

Will do thanks!

 

[Dino D]

Definately clear the codes, drive and check again, mine had 14 MAF codes as I'd been unplugging to see if it ran an differently while trying to trace a fault. Mine was crank sensor in the end, found after clearing a reading it again.
Don't buy cheap sensors go for BMW, wasted money on pattern one that ran worse than the broken BMW one!

Seems like I have the same then.y code reader just shows a fault not the number if times it's happened. I wondering that's because my car is not OBD2 or if my reader is not that fancy.

 

[Dino D]

Ordered the part from Soper BMW Lincoln.
Usual price £109 vat incl. Forum member price £99 (inclusive of VAT and postage).

 

[Romeo]

Was your car running rough with those error codes or just lack of power ?

 

[Dino D]

The symptoms I have are loss of power, lumpy idle (or cutting out) and hard starting particularly after the second time it's been started that day accompanied by some terrible sounds when cranking.

 

[t-tony]

Ditto. Exhaust camshaft position sensor.I honestly cannot believe the difference in my car. If you had not driven it you would not believe the change in this car with a new sensor fitted.

 

[Romeo]

Is it misfiring as well when you start it ?
Mine is a bit rough when the automatic choke is on but other time ok when it doesn't kicking in !
How well does it revs up ?

 

[Dino D]

No misfiring when I start.
Didn't try revving it much.

Check out the thread about the wifi OBD2 dongle and app. Cheap way to diagnose your car (if yours is post 98 or so, mine doesn't but you have a facelift I see).
http://zroadster.org/index.php?threads/WiFI-Diagnostics.4619/

From reading up it can be either:
1 or both camshaft sensors
Crankshaft sensor
MAF

So I decided to invest in a code reader to decide which parts to buy.

 

[Romeo]

Yeah will have a look at these, actually already got it pugged and no code came out.

 

[Dino D]

Just to update:
I tried getting the crankshaft sensor out myself but despite having reasonable access to it (by removing the screen wash bottle, hose in front of sensor and moving the coolant bootle that is attached to the radiator out of the way) I could not get the hex bolt off.
So before I damaged it I put it back together and dropped it off at my garage who did the job along with mot and service.

The new sensor has solved the issue. I forgot how nicely this car pull, nicely surprised!

 

[Neil Corfield]

Hi all,
Have hooked my car up and read the codes and have gotten the following:
08 Air mass flow sensor
53 crankshaft sensor
41 camshaft sensor



The symptoms when driving all pointed to on or all of the above. I bought a code reader so I could see which of the 3 need changing. Didn't expect to have all three fail!

My question now is can it be that all three of these sensors need changing together or has failure one triggered errors on the others.
As these bits are fairly pricey (I believe I must use OEM only) I would like to hope that not all need doing at once.
I will be fitting the parts myself.

 

[Neil Corfield]

Good day gentlemen.
Typically the crankshaft sensor can cause multiple errors. Misfires and lack of performace and even the dreaded non start.

If the vehicle cuts out, then often you will find errors with Mass airflow and sometimes the camshaft. However issues with timing chain play or slack timing belts may also errors Cam Vs crank sensor implausibility.

Firstly always record the codes and clear codes, so many times do we find the novice diagnostics garage go for a blunderbuss approach. Hopefully the first code return will be the first port of call. Followed with good parralell testing methods to confirm the issue before rectification.