Crankshaft Angle Sensor

[MichaelD]

Could anyone please describe how to change the crankshaft angle sensor.The sensors visible,but the wiring disappears under the inlet manifold,I cant find the connector.Cheers.

[CirrusSR22]

I've changed the camshaft postion sensor (the one on the front of the engine, near the thermostat housing). The connector is under the upper intake manifold as well, so I had to remove the upper manifold to do it. It's not so hard, just a tad bit involved.

[Bluebimma]

Are you talking about the camshaft position sensor or the crankshaft position sensor? The cam sensor is at the front of the engine, while the crank sensor is at the rear and bolts into the block to get its readings from the crank gear on the inside. Bolt sensor wires plug into sockets right next to each other under the intake manifold.


Crankshaft position sensor

[atlanta318ti]

Man, I have been searching forever to find a way to get to the crankshaft position sensor without taking out the lower intake manifold. And it gets really frustrating that whenever someone brings it up, someone replies with information about the "camshaft" position sensor. They are entirely different when it comes to effort to replace. The "camshaft sensor" takes about 1/2 hour to replace. The "crankshaft sensor" is a real bitXX to get at being right next to the starter and literally as bluebimma showed us, right next to the tranny. Could BMW have picked a worse spot for this sensor or what?

[atlanta318ti]

Okay. I finally got the crankshaft position sensor on the M44 out and back in without removing the lower intake manifold. Damn that thing is in the worst spot imaginable. It's so close to the starter and tranny there's no room to use a Hex socket. Ended up using a regular hex one inch at a time by reaching down behind the intake. My wife was out all day, so I couldn't run up to a shop and find a longer hex tool (5mm) to make it easier, but would suggest before doing this project you find one that's in a T shape or use a hex socket (preferable) that's at least 2 inches long so the socket can clear the tight squeeze down there. Overall, though, it's still preferable to removing the lower intake, removing fuel rail, etc... And after replacing the cam sensor, crankshaft sensor, and ICV, it's like driving a TI with 50k miles on it rather than the 160k I have now. But I also threw on an almost new upper intake manifold I got for $5 (looked brand new) from a guy that pulled it to put on the DASC at 10k miles. I swear the sensors and the new ICV breathed new life into the car! It took some temporary pressure I was feeling to swap to the S52 by Spring, but doesn't mean I can't find a decent S52 this winter to store just in case the M44 decides to give out in 2008. :P)