1998 E36 M3 Another camshaft position sensor P0340 problem

[Smedly22]

Hey all, ive been going through everything trying to clear out this p0340 code. I've tried a new wiring harness, ignition coils, crankshaft position sensor, spark plugs. Been fiddling around with a multimeter I get 2.5 volts on the black wire 0 on brown and 0 on yellow( I have read elsewhere that similar car has functioned correctly showing 2.5 volts. Key in on position). I understand that it is important to get oe equipment. So I ordered a new sensor off fcpeuro which was advertised as Siemens/vdo.
Installed and ran fine no code for about 5/6 starts and then code was back as well as the batch firing of the injectors and crap performance. So I'm over here pulling my hair out trying to stay calm when I decide to take a look at the box the sensor came in. No where on the box I received does it say Siemens nor on the sensor. Just vdo. No scratched off bmw logo either. Said it was made in Brazil which contradicts the link I purchased it from which said Slovenia. Has anyone had any experience with this? The crankshaft sensor I ordered from autohausaz was the same vdo brand but had a seal of authenticity on it and said made in France. I've ordered an expensive 157 dollar sensor from autohausaz that is genuine BMW should be here in a few days hoping that works. But if it doesn't any ideas? New dme is all I can think of at this point.

[shogun]

moved to E36 M3 forum

[Braymond141]

It’s the sensor, 100%. Just went through the same shit buying from FCP (installed in Nov 18’ just replaced it with Genuine BMW last week). That VDO sensor is trash.

[snakebit8]

It’s the sensor, 100%. Just went through the same shit buying from FCP (installed in Nov 18’ just replaced it with Genuine BMW last week). That VDO sensor is trash.

+1 .. tried to go non OEM sensor and had the light come back. Went Genuine BMW sensor and I have had no lights since.

[Gene V]

Same story here, purchased the Siemens/VDO sensor from BavAuto and it lasted a couple of weeks, replaced it with genuine BMW and no problems since...emailed BavAuto re the VDO failure and they refunded my $$$, no return necessary, just had to show them the invoice from the BMW purchase.

[Smedly22]

Well I've received a response from fcp euro they are happy to refund me, but noted the item I received was the oe equipment with the logo scratched off. No such scrape marks or anything. They might want to be checking their source I don't think they are getting the same part anymore. 2 more days til I get the genuine sensor so just hoping it works

[Braymond141]

+1 .. tried to go non OEM sensor and had the light come back. Went Genuine BMW sensor and I have had no lights since.

This is the OEM sensor we are talking about. BMW branded sensors are OE. This Siemens/VDO sensor sold by FCP is advertised as OEM.

- - - Updated - - -

Well I've received a response from fcp euro they are happy to refund me, but noted the item I received was the oe equipment with the logo scratched off. No such scrape marks or anything. They might want to be checking their source I don't think they are getting the same part anymore. 2 more days til I get the genuine sensor so just hoping it works

It absolutely is not the Genuine sensor with the BMW logo drilled out. Even the casing is different.





This is what they are probably trying to claim, which may have been true in the past, but isn't what was delivered.

[Smedly22]

Yup that looks just like the one I received. That's a bummer guess i need to be super careful when ordering anything. Or just stick with autohausaz have not had any problems with them after many orders

[spidertri]

Timely thread, I bought a VDO sensor from FCP in january and received the "VDO 36 17" same as the one in Braymond's first picture. I've been having random issues with it since I installed it, I just assumed my old sensor was good and it was something else on the circuit that was bad. Sounds like I need to swap it for a genuine one.

[Braymond141]

Timely thread, I bought a VDO sensor from FCP in january and received the "VDO 36 17" same as the one in Braymond's first picture. I've been having random issues with it since I installed it, I just assumed my old sensor was good and it was something else on the circuit that was bad. Sounds like I need to swap it for a genuine one.

Swap it. Don’t even think about, just do it.

[spidertri]

I ordered a BMW sensor and will swap it. I wonder if there are any issues with the VDO crank sensors? From what I understand, if the crank sensor is bad the car won't start though.

[Braymond141]

So far no issues with the crank sensor I put in chasing all the codes the bad camshaft sensor was giving off.

[Smedly22]

Genuine part fixed all my problems. Woohoo. Wish I had just got the good one from the getgo but hey my wiring harness only has 33k on it now so that's cool. Vdo crankshaft sensor from France seems to be working fine btw

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Now I can get on to the fun stuff like the full aluminum radiator I've had sitting around for a month

[spidertri]

As an update, I swapped my "new" VDO sensor for a new Genuine BMW sensor and have not had any more warm start issues. Thanks for the thread.

[aviation_hacker]

Hey folks, just thought I'd jump in here - I've also got Cam Sensor issues (wouldn't you believe it?) and the usual what to buy problem. I did however find some interesting info about it on Haltech's site by pure chance - apparently the Genuine Sensor is not a normal Hall-Effect Sensor, it's provided a base frequency signal, which is then modified as a cam passes it, rather than generating a signal/sine wave like most Hall-Effect sensors are. https://support.haltech.com/portal/e...les/m50-engine,
https://support.haltech.com/portal/e...les/m52-engine. Hence why it seems Genuine is the only way to go unfortunately!

Hopefully this is useful to someone

[RCO]

Hopefully this is useful to someone

Yes, massively useful. Thank you. Confirms what a friend of mine (known as the e36 M3 Whisperer) said.

[Das e36]

Has anyone had any luck tracking down a genuine sensor? My typical go to's (FCP, ECS, Pelican, Dealer) all list the unit as backordered or no longer available. Gave the Delphi sensor a try and while it initially appeared to resolve the issue for a few starts, my CEL and P0340 code is back.

[JitteryJoe]

Has anyone had any luck tracking down a genuine sensor? My typical go to's (FCP, ECS, Pelican, Dealer) all list the unit as backordered or no longer available. Gave the Delphi sensor a try and while it initially appeared to resolve the issue for a few starts, my CEL and P0340 code is back.

You could try a local dealer and see if they have any insight when they will be available. Or find a salvaged one until the genuine BMW parts are available. I typically use getbmwparts.com but they show as "currently unavailable" as well. bimmerworld lists an "OEM" replacement although they do not list the manufacturer Camshaft Position Sensor for BMW E36 328i/M3, E39 528i, Z3, M52, S52

[Braymond141]

Dealer network is out of stock.

Any website that lists OEM is selling VDO which will not work.

[aviation_hacker]

Has anyone had any luck tracking down a genuine sensor? My typical go to's (FCP, ECS, Pelican, Dealer) all list the unit as backordered or no longer available. Gave the Delphi sensor a try and while it initially appeared to resolve the issue for a few starts, my CEL and P0340 code is back.

Or find a salvaged one until the genuine BMW parts are available.

Another interim option depending on your circumstances may be repairing the original broken sensor if you still have it as well. I did a write up a while back about how I did mine, essentially the common cause of the sensors grounding out is the insulation disintegrating causing the wires to touch where the outer black sheathing ends (under the rubber boot near the connector end). On my sensor I used heatshrink to identify/protect each individual wire, and then some liquid electrical tape near the black sheathing where it gets too tight for heatshrink - has been working well for probably nearly a year now

[bmwstephen]

I would contact Schneidman. The stock across europe might still be available.

Puls generator camshaft - 12141703221, 12 14 1 703 221, 1703221, 12-14-1-703-221

[Das e36]

My dealer quoted 2027. I did read your rightup aviation_hacker and unfortunately the insulation on the inner wires was still in tact. I even opened up the sensor head to test the leads and still no resistance indicating a failed sensor.

Thanks for the lead on Schneidman! Will give them a try....I have a track event starting next Saturday so I'm in a bit of a pinch. Might have to try to local junk yards.

[Braymond141]

My dealer quoted 2027. I did read your rightup aviation_hacker and unfortunately the insulation on the inner wires was still in tact. I even opened up the sensor head to test the leads and still no resistance indicating a failed sensor.

Thanks for the lead on Schneidman! Will give them a try....I have a track event starting next Saturday so I'm in a bit of a pinch. Might have to try to local junk yards.

BMW does not have stock. You will not get it from Schmiedmann.

[Das e36]

If anyone has a spare genuine (new or used) sensor, I'd greatly appreciate the opportunity to purchase. As I mentioned earlier, I'm signed up for a track event this coming weekend and its not looking great at the moment.

[Das e36]

Happy to report that after 4hrs of driving to and from the track and 8x 25 min sessions, the continental/VDO has worked without issue. I may not be out of the woods yet, but for the moment it has addressed the issue for me.