New Camshaft Sensor for my 2.2

[Mint]

For the last couple of weeks the 2.2 has been showing all the classic symptoms of a failing camshaft position sensor. So I got my a**e in gear and I read the codes and yes inlet camshaft sensor error. Decided I didn't want to pay BMW price (£110, btw) so took some advice from a very learned friend and have gone with a Meyle one for £27. I fitted it this afternoon, pretty straightforward job on the M54, the hardest part was getting the airbox off to give access for my big hands to get to the plug/socket. Error cleared and has not returned so all good.
Hopefully this will improve the hot starting performance that many of you have heard on the many cruises we've been on.

 

[andyglym]

Good show mate

 

[t-tony]

Yep. Hot start was a big issue on my 2.0 Dave. Usually when I got in to leave the Mandarin on a Sunday evening.

Tony.

 

[Mint]

Yep. Hot start was a big issue on my 2.0 Dave. Usually when I got in to leave the Mandarin on a Sunday evening.

I'd suspected the camshaft sensor for some time but the hot starting problem has been with the car since I bought it, sometimes worse than others. However the stalling and lack of performance started to show and it has finally thrown a code. All done now

 

[Mint]

Just to finish this off, I went for a 120 odd mile, mostly top down, run out today in the usual playground. What a difference, I'd forgotten how well the 2.2 pulls. The sensor must have been playing up for quite some time, gradually degrading performance. She was going up hills in 5th without struggling, or me having to change down. Didn't stall once either, so I'm a very happy bunny now

Bit dirty again now though :

 

[JFBimmer]

This seems to be my problem, starts fine runs well and pulls strong when cold. Hot start, will often not start first time, then reduced sluggish power, nowhere near as responsive as usual!

 

[JFBimmer]

Wondering if anyone could recommend a code reader? Assume it’s obds II? Are the ones you get on Amazon and that plug into a laptop and come with a cd any good? Apparently they allow ‘programming’ . Not sure what this means, but don’t want to muck about. Don’t necessarily need anything too fancy though. Not sure if there’s a discussion on this somewhere!

 

[JFBimmer]

Just to finish this off, I went for a 120 odd mile, mostly top down, run out today in the usual playground. What a difference, I'd forgotten how well the 2.2 pulls. The sensor must have been playing up for quite some time, gradually degrading performance. She was going up hills in 5th without struggling, or me having to change down. Didn't stall once either, so I'm a very happy bunny now

Bit dirty again now though : View attachment 129049

Beautiful car! Same as mine I think? Oh, actually maybe not, mines the 2.0 6 cylinder. Do you know the name of the colour? And where vin plate is?

 

[colb]

As to a decent Scanner, I use a Creator 310+ which cost circa £50 ebay or Amazon works fine on 1999 onwards cars, not good on early cars with OBD1 system. For a handheld scanner its very good, they do have a later version Creator 410+ as well.
If you want more detailed scanning then laptop based software is the way to go using BMW INPA or BMW Scanner1.4 that are very capable scanners. BMW Scanner1.4 is very easy to use and far less problematic for setting up than INPA is. These are available on ebay and quite a cheap way to arm yourself with diagnostics capability. For INPA I used ebay seller BCables for the software and the cable and interface, they ship the software these days on a usb stick as part of the package. Software also includes extras for coding like NCS Expert etc.

Vin number will be on offside suspension turret in engine bay or on youir registration document.

 

[JFBimmer]

As to a decent Scanner, I use a Creator 310+ which cost circa £50 ebay or Amazon works fine on 1999 onwards cars, not good on early cars with OBD1 system. For a handheld scanner its very good, they do have a later version Creator 410+ as well.
If you want more detailed scanning then laptop based software is the way to go using BMW INPA or BMW Scanner1.4 that are very capable scanners. BMW Scanner1.4 is very easy to use and far less problematic for setting up than INPA is. These are available on ebay and quite a cheap way to arm yourself with diagnostics capability. For INPA I used ebay seller BCables for the software and the cable and interface, they ship the software these days on a usb stick as part of the package. Software also includes extras for coding like NCS Expert etc.

Vin number will be on offside suspension turret in engine bay or on youir registration document.

Thanks very much! That is really helpful! I’ll go for the bmw1.4 etc! Might as well!

 

[JFBimmer]

As to a decent Scanner, I use a Creator 310+ which cost circa £50 ebay or Amazon works fine on 1999 onwards cars, not good on early cars with OBD1 system. For a handheld scanner its very good, they do have a later version Creator 410+ as well.
If you want more detailed scanning then laptop based software is the way to go using BMW INPA or BMW Scanner1.4 that are very capable scanners. BMW Scanner1.4 is very easy to use and far less problematic for setting up than INPA is. These are available on ebay and quite a cheap way to arm yourself with diagnostics capability. For INPA I used ebay seller BCables for the software and the cable and interface, they ship the software these days on a usb stick as part of the package. Software also includes extras for coding like NCS Expert etc.

Vin number will be on offside suspension turret in engine bay or on youir registration document.

So bmw inpa has more functionality but bmw1.4 is easier to set up but has less functionality e.g ncs?

what is involved in bmw inpa setup? Just tryna gauge which is best to go for! Would like the functionality!

is it worth getting a remap done to improve mpg and so on? Or will that put too much stress on the engine?

thanks for your advice! I appreciate it!

 

[colb]

INPA takes a lot of space up on a laptop and can be problematic setting it up, BCables package on ebay is supposed to be one click easy setup but you can run into issues with settings and drivers on your computer. Once thats sorted it should perform OK but be aware some of the modules in there will still be in German but its easy enough to work your way around it all even if you have to resort to a translator online. Personally I wouldn't start messing about with Remaps if you want more power buy a bigger engined model the gains you would get from a remap wouldn't be worth it for me, rather spend it on fuel.
As a starter in diagnostics BMW Scanner 1.4 is an ideal choice to get you into laptop diagnostics and the Creator a good portable tool to have in the boot.

 

[JFBimmer]

Thank you!! Great advice. I’m not concerned about performance, it’s great. Just curious about mpg really! Could be helpful, but not worth messing everything up!

 

[Mint]

Beautiful car! Same as mine I think? Oh, actually maybe not, mines the 2.0 6 cylinder. Do you know the name of the colour? And where vin plate is?

The car in this thread is a 2.2 in an Individual colour - Aegean Blue. Yours looks like my 3.0, Topaz Blue. You'll find the colour label on the front nearside suspension turret under the bonnet.
I think the VIN number is under the passenger wiper.
HTH

 

[JFBimmer]

The car in this thread is a 2.2 in an Individual colour - Aegean Blue. Yours looks like my 3.0, Topaz Blue. You'll find the colour label on the front nearside suspension turret under the bonnet.
I think the VIN number is under the passenger wiper.
HTH

Yeh colour code seems to be 364/5. 364 is listed as topaz blue. Not sure what the /5 means though!

 

[JFBimmer]

Hi all,

just looking for a replacement wire that goes from the camshaft position sensor on the front of the 2.0 M52 engine, is this the exhaust side I think. Have ordered new sensory but it looks like a crusty wire that maybe a big part of the problem, as the symptoms are less pronounced than a full sensor failure I think. Seems to have started in nasty Welsh deluge. Part no. On bmw catalogue is 12147518628, but cannot find number for the wire anywhere. Although aconnector is listed but doesn’t appear to include the wire….

 

[colb]

Looks like the exhaust camshaft sensor lead is going to be part of the engine loom, thats going to be expensive to change for just one duff wire. https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CL32-EUR-06-2000-Z3-BMW-Z3_20&diagId=12_0991
Might be worth stripping the duff wire back to good copper and refitting the sensor plug to a length of new wire and solder joint it to exhisting wire where you have stripped back to good copper heatshrink the solder joint.
If the connecting plug is bad then you should find one off the Dealer to put your new wire on, Sophers BMW at Lincoln give us a Forum discount if you ask and they will post small parts out to you.

 

[JFBimmer]

Thanks for the advice and clarity! I can certainly deal with the wire, shouldn’t be a problem if that’s a decent enough way that won’t mess up the system, and I can access it!!! Will take a look. Looks as though the wire is resting on a metal pipe a hose is connected to. On second inspection, wire looks ok? Have attached photos. It seems to be a fabric covering now I can see better in the light. Maybe it is the sensor after all. Should I put something around that wire to protect/insulate it from heat/friction/electrical interference?

 

[colb]

Looks like the fabric covering is disintergrating wire inside will still be plastic covered so should be ok. If you want to add some extra protection to it get yourself some split conduit to put the wire inside 4,5mm size would do available on ebay, you may find somewhere local that sells it. The ebay stuff gets sold in 5m lengths so you will have loads left over to use elsewhere on other underbonnet wiring.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[JFBimmer]

Great! No loon problemo then! Phew! Thanks for the advice. I’ll get some conduit then! And/or Perhaps some fabric tape too, if it’s available.