DIY: E46 Camshaft Position Sensor

[danewilson77]

Posting in case anyone needs the info...

1) Remove the Master Airflow sensor and housing. You will have to also unclip one hose.





2) Next, remove the power steering fluid housing, and lay to the side. No need to disconnect hoses. This will just give you a little more room.



3) Next, locate the vanos solonoid, and unplug it. There was a hose in front of mine so I just unclipped it carefully and removed. Then, using the correct open end wrench, carefully remove the vanos solonoid. Ensure the o-ring is in good shape, but new CPS will come with o-ring.



Vanos solonoid removed. As you can see...proper open end wrench not used (used a pair of vice grips), but I didn't want to run to Lowes just for this. As you can see....if you do use vice grips, be sure you don't wreck the solonoid.



4) Next, locate the CPS and using an appropriately sized allen wrench remove the single retaining screw. Same here with the o-ring, but my cps came with a new one.



5) Then follow the line from the CPS to where it plugs in. It clips in, aft of the alternator. Unclip and discard the old CPS.

6) Reverse order of steps to install new CPS and ensure you use a new o-ring on the CPS.

Hope this helps someone to fix something for themselves and save a little money. The code for the Intake CPS is P0344. The new CPS ran me about $80.00 from www.pelicanparts.com.

[Pauls2ndblessin]

Nice write up man, thanks!

[Grim Reaper]

Great write up on this. My 01 325 bucked a couple times two weeks ago but didn't throw a code and then earlier this week died at a stoplight while also throwing CEL.

I pulled codes this afternoon while doing oil change and 0344 cam position sensor fault came up once. Thanks

[danewilson77]

Great write up on this. My 01 325 bucked a couple times two weeks ago but didn't throw a code and then earlier this week died at a stoplight while also throwing CEL.

I pulled codes this afternoon while doing oil change and 0344 cam position sensor fault came up once. Thanks

Yup no prob...pretty easy really but pics always help out....

[Supered M]

I have to do this this week, just waiting for my CPS from Tischer...

[danewilson77]

I have to do this this week, just waiting for my CPS from Tischer...

Noice....easy fix

[mustang00]

Next time youre in Wisc, beer is on me!

do you have a part number that you used?

the prices i see on pelican parts differ across the board.

Thanks again!

[danewilson77]

Yeah....hang on......

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/12147539165/ES28830/

Do not use aftermarket....and ony use Genuine BMW here. People have had bad luck with the non oem sensors.

Also....ifyou are dead set on doing this....th intake CPS is probably the one to go after.....

You should have a code though..if its bad.....P0344

[runnr548]

Awesome write up! I am going to change mine as soon as it warms up. (Currently 12F)

[danewilson77]

Awesome write up! I am going to change mine as soon as it warms up. (Currently 12F)

Do you have P0344 code?

[GunnerNell]

Next time youre in Wisc, beer is on me!

I've got him covered if he ever gets to Pennsylvania.

[slvrXI]

Don't forget to only buy OEM!!

[danewilson77]

Don't forget to only buy OEM!!

Read post at 9:17PM yesterday...LOL......Noob!!!!!

[ryankokesh]

Read post at 9:17PM yesterday...LOL......Noob!!!!!

hahaha.... dane called you a noob....

Nice write up - wish you had done it last summer though when I changed out mine

[jferat]

Thanks for the pics, man.... much appreciated. Just swapped a bad one out of my 330 cic yesterday.

[danewilson77]

No prob...well done

[Larrylava]

I have a P0340 code come up. My generic code reader says its the CPS bank 1.
Is this the same sensor or is this the exhaust sensor?

( I have to get me a PEAKE )

[ZHP]

Master airflow sensor? Presumably you were referring to the mass air flow sensor in step 1?

[Larrylava]

Sorry. i found out why. P0344 is the code from the M54 motor not the M52TU.

[Ryogenetic]

Dane, I came across this on a google search, thanks for taking the time to post it. To anyone over 100k doing CCV, Vanos, Intake boots, and MAF take the time and do this as well. I have been meaning to post this for about 4 months, wow does this ever make an difference. For my 330 I did not get a code till the week before I changed the sensor. To make sure of the fault, I reset the codes and they were back the next day. Thanks to Pelican Parts for over night shipping I ordered up the new sensors. Up to that point all I had done was cleaned the CCV, MAF, and rebuilt the Vanos, but I still had a huge dip at 4200rpm. I would have replaced the upper and lower intake boots, but I have Silicone boots from AA. Before the codes there was a very slight sluggishness, almost like heat soak on a hot summer day. After following Danes DIY, I found it funny that I could spin the winter tires in second gear (225/45/17's) Now that I have on summers, and I can still spin them in second, not chirp mind ya but spin them.

Ryo

[wilmore]

hi
i am a new member to this forum, do you the voltage reading for the signal wire for the M43TU engine? i drive a e46 318i 2001 model it gave a check engine light when i ran a scanner it threw a P0340 and P0344 codeS. before i replace i wanted to find out whether the problem was coming from the wiring on the sensor itself upon testing the voltage line 1 i got 11.48V and line 2 being signal i got 9.4v. later.