Camshaft Sensor (aka Pulse Generator) Replacement - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

LEENA1 · 9th June 2008, 03:22

I know many of you out there have experienced this and if not yet, you will. Limp mode in you ride! One of the sensors goes bad and creates a loss of power!

I will be doing a replacement of these pesky items next week on my 03' and wanted to know how many of you gents out there have done a DIY on both sets (i.e. Exhaust and Intake sensors) on your Bimmers!

I will try to post the pics of the DIY but I believe that there are already threads that have this in full detail!

Won't be a fun weekend unfortunately since two of them are in a really hard to reach place!

I guess it wasn't meant to be easy to begin with!

teutonic rx · 10th June 2008, 09:15

Did all four, took about 4-6 hrs, depending on how you define rest breaks

Check the other threads, especially the tools that might help on the drivers side. Little tighter there. We worked from both above and below, so some stuff needs removal. the snorkels were not as hard to remove as I thought. Just be very gentle in the removal and install. Definitely a DIY project, just takes a bit of time!

LEENA1 · 11th June 2008, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by teutonic rx

Did all four, took about 4-6 hrs, depending on how you define rest breaks

Check the other threads, especially the tools that might help on the drivers side. Little tighter there. We worked from both above and below, so some stuff needs removal. the snorkels were not as hard to remove as I thought. Just be very gentle in the removal and install. Definitely a DIY project, just takes a bit of time!

Did both the exhaust and intake in about 3 hrs but did scratch up my hands a bit!

A little banged up but worth the effort!

Tight space but fixed the problem and car runs like a champ again!

Big difference in both idling as well as acceleration! No more 'blatty' exhaust (emphysema-less) - that's a good thing!

Now my puppy runs high and dry again!

This is why I like this forum!

J Irwan · 12th June 2008, 11:10

Did you end up replacing all 4 of them ?

Regardz,

J Irwan

LEENA1 · 12th June 2008, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Irwan

Did you end up replacing all 4 of them ?

Regardz,

J Irwan

Yes I did! I am assuming you have the same problem!

Best tool to have on this is a thin ratchet with a 5 mm hex!

One thing to behold: Sometimes the 5mm hex screw that holds the camshaft sensor to the engine block can become very difficult to remove so be careful not to strip the inside of the screw! Otherwise, it will be a royal PITA to remove it!

J Irwan · 12th June 2008, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEENA1

Yes I did! I am assuming you have the same problem!

Best tool to have on this is a thin ratchet with a 5 mm hex!

One thing to behold: Sometimes the 5mm hex screw that holds the camshaft sensor to the engine block can become very difficult to remove so be careful not to strip the inside of the screw! Otherwise, it will be a royal PITA to remove it!

Thanks for the clarification.
I don't have any sympton at all at the moment, but I like to be prepared

.
And by the way where did you buy these CPS sensor and for how much if you don't mind me asking. I am thinking of stocking them just in case.

Regardz,

J Irwan

LEENA1 · 12th June 2008, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Irwan

Thanks for the clarification.
I don't have any sympton at all at the moment, but I like to be prepared

.
And by the way where did you buy these CPS sensor and for how much if you don't mind me asking. I am thinking of stocking them just in case.

Regardz,

J Irwan

I have a local contact here in Virginia at Arlington BMW - parts - wholese cost about $82.00 each. You many not need all 4 but with these sensors, its good to replace all 4 at the same time!