shammy

I just replaced this intake CPS on my 2000 M5 thanks to the many contributions on this board. I'd like to consolidate the repair job here. This is the hardest of the 4 cam position sensors to get to so it should be a good reference:
Tools you will need: 10mm wrench (I recommend a small ignition wrench), 5mm allen wrench, phillips screwdriver, Peake Research code reader (not required but recommended ... and if you're DIY'ing this kind of job you're the type who needs one anyway). And finally, may you be blessed with patience and small hands.
Parts you will need: Intake cam position sensor (aka pulse generator, BMW part# 12 14 7 539 173


To be clear, this job is replacing the bank 2 intake cam position sensor, aka cylinders #5-8, aka USA driver side, aka right side of engine standing in front of car looking into the engine bay. This sensor is located in the back of the motor behind the intake cam.


From side of car


To get to it, first remove the cabin air intake filter housing and duct that connects to the firewall. The duct has several tabs that can be pry'd off with your fingers. Once free, gently twist the duct up and away from you, then pull the duct out of the firewall. This duct is held in by plastic tabs in the firewall that can be easily damaged. If you find yourself using force you are probably doing it improperly. Pic of work area with cabin air housing and duct removed


Next remove a black bracket by removing 2 10mm bolts, then prying the bracket out of the ignition wiring harness box. I found it easiest to remove the bolts from under the car. Here is a nice pic from under the car that Amrit50 took.

The rest of the job from up top. The bracket can be pry'd away with your fingers. Here is a pic of the bracket ... it slides into rubber grommets in the ignition harness.


You will now have access to the Intake CPS. remove the wiring connection by hand, then the 5mm allen bolt. The new CPS looks a bit different than the old one. I've decided this is a good thing ... these should not fail at 40K like mine did and earlier as others are reporting


Put in the new CPS and put everything back together. Take care with the bolts that hold the ignition wiring bracket ... this is a very tight space and they are easy to drop. Also take care with the cabin air duct. It needs to be pushed in completely before you give it an 1/8th turn to lock it into place. People on the board have experienced trouble with this. You might try shining a light down the duct when you start .. you'll be able to see the bottom tabs and it will help you line the tube up with the firewall hole.
Use your Peake to make sure your codes are clear, then fire your beast up and go for a spin ... one that is likely to be quicker than your last. Check for codes again just to be sure when you're done with your joy ride. Good luck!

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//2000 Royalrot Metallic/Camel M5 40K miles

Snowbeast

Thanks for the writeup. I nominate this post to be added to the stickies library of DIY stuff.

Do I hear a second?

SeattleM5

I second that!! Great write up, thanks.

ard

Done!

Nice work Shammy

wilsodh

Thanks for putting this together!

Dave

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'00 Royal Red/black/walnut M5
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'El Diablo'
’00 Black/black DA s/c M5
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Beasty5

Thanks for the write-up shammy. Good looking out bro!

Vic

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whatheheck

Well, my SES light just came on. And the low, deep exhaust sound is very prominent. Sounded like my muffler fell off.

Fault code 72 = Exhaust Camshaft VANOS position control cyl 5 - 8.

I want to sincerely thank shammy for this great write up.

I was confused as I wasnt sure which CPS I need to replace. The photo on real OEM shows two CPS, item 8 & 9.

I wasnt sure which one is Cyl 5 - 8.

I read here somewhere Bank 2 and I dont know which one is bank 2.

I also read here somewhere driver side CPS.

Thanks to shammy for this excellent DIY write up which also explains in detail that Bank 2 intake CPS, aka Cyl 5 - 8, aka driver side, etc. Thank you for that great info!

Well, the stealer replaced item 9 so I am thinking the other one (item 8 has gone bad so I will replace that one (BMW part# 12 14 7 539 173) which is covered on this great write up.

Question please:
1) How many CPS does our M5 have?
2) How do I know which one has gone bad that needs replacing?

THanks again to Shammy for this great write up. I will try doing this myself this weekend as my mechanic may be very busy at the moment and I want my beast fixed ASAP. I will post updates once I'm done with the job.

Any other tips to those that have done this would be greatly appreciated.

Attached Files

Cam Position Sensor.pdf (49.7 KB, 532 views)

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Dan

Active Autowerke ECU software, H & R sport springs, Tubi Rumore exhaust, BBS RGR rims; Polk Audio Tweeters, Focal Speakers; Video Interface Module + Panasonic DVD Player + Integrated 120 gig Video iPod; 8000K low beams, Angel iBrights, Valentine 1 Radar Detector; Laser Interceptor Laser Jammer; All LED interior lights, LED footwell lights, LED trunk lights, Ultimate Cup Holders, face lifted Front and rear LCI LED turn signals; 3rd brake light LED flasher, Polished piano black front kidney grills and side grills; charcoal filter delete; ash tray delete; Auxiliary Input upgrade; LED license plate lights; RPI Ram Air Scoops + Block off plates; BMC Air Filters; Carbon Fiber steering wheel trim, Alpine back up camera, Pioneer forward looking camera.

shammy

Dan,
There are a total of 4 cam position sensors: 2 intake and 2 exhaust. My writeup is for 1 of the 2 intake CPS's, which turns out to be the most difficult of the 4 to get at. I don't have experience with the deep exhaust sound you and others have described, but I have to assume it is an exhaust CPS problem, not an intake one. That and the code you are seeing tell me it is driver side, exhaust CPS. You should be able to get at this pretty easily from under the car. If you go to the repair writeup, you will see a pic that has the location of the exhaust CPS you need to replace. Good luck ... let us know how you do.

whatheheck

Thanks for the additonal info Shammy.

So my fault code is 72: Exhaust Camshaft VANOS position control cyl 5 - 8.

Which one is that one? Can someone direct me to the realOEM where this CPS is shown?

Ted

Great work on the write-up! 2 more questions to add to the pile:

How long is this job averaging you guys timewise and are you getting your CPSs from the stealership or another source?

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