Camshaft position sensor

[greg1953]

Yet another problem...engine management light comes on, scanner states Camshaft position sensor exhaust so I bought a new one and fitted it yesterday, cleared the code and went for a drive, after 50ish miles the lights back on and the scanner says the same thing..any ideas ? surely the new one hasn't failed.
Greg

 

[Ewazix]

Did you fit a genuine CPS? aftermarket sensors generally seem to cause problems on BMW's

 

[greg1953]

Did you fit a genuine CPS? aftermarket sensors generally seem to cause problems on BMW's

Febi Bilstein £25ish

 

[Ewazix]

Did you fit a genuine CPS? aftermarket sensors generally seem to cause problems on BMW's

Febi Bilstein £25ish

This is the problem with cheaper aftermarket sensors, you will now spend time and money chasing other possible causes, but with a nagging concern it's still the sensor. I replaced my blower FSU with a cheap one off ebay and it just didn't work at all

It's also worth checking the connection plugs just to eliminate any damp/corrosion.

 

[MACK]

Without wishing to worry you unnecessarily this is one of the symptoms you can get when there are issues with either vanos/valvetronic or the timing chain/tensioner.

 

[MACK]

Just to add to this, both camshaft sensors are actually the same part. To eliminate the sensor just swap them from one side to the other and see if the fault code moves across with it. You will definitely know if its the sensor or something else that way. Once you have ruled out the sensor you could try moving the solenoids across in the same way, there also easy enough to remove and are again the same part. If the fault stays on the same side of the engine then you need to be looking deeper, I would be then listening for excessive noise from the timing chains/tensioner etc, especially from a cold start

 

[greg1953]

Just to add to this, both camshaft sensors are actually the same part. To eliminate the sensor just swap them from one side to the other and see if the fault code moves across with it. You will definitely know if its the sensor or something else that way. Once you have ruled out the sensor you could try moving the solenoids across in the same way, there also easy enough to remove and are again the same part. If the fault stays on the same side of the engine then you need to be looking deeper, I would be then listening for excessive noise from the timing chains/tensioner etc, especially from a cold start

Will try this tomorrow,
cheers.

 

[greg1953]

Just to add to this, both camshaft sensors are actually the same part. To eliminate the sensor just swap them from one side to the other and see if the fault code moves across with it. You will definitely know if its the sensor or something else that way. Once you have ruled out the sensor you could try moving the solenoids across in the same way, there also easy enough to remove and are again the same part. If the fault stays on the same side of the engine then you need to be looking deeper, I would be then listening for excessive noise from the timing chains/tensioner etc, especially from a cold start

Will try this tomorrow,
cheers.

Just tried swapping the sensors, still reads exhaust..now what ?
PS where are these solenoids ?

 

[MACK]

Just to add to this, both camshaft sensors are actually the same part. To eliminate the sensor just swap them from one side to the other and see if the fault code moves across with it. You will definitely know if its the sensor or something else that way. Once you have ruled out the sensor you could try moving the solenoids across in the same way, there also easy enough to remove and are again the same part. If the fault stays on the same side of the engine then you need to be looking deeper, I would be then listening for excessive noise from the timing chains/tensioner etc, especially from a cold start

Will try this tomorrow,
cheers.

Just tried swapping the sensors, still reads exhaust..now what ?
PS where are these solenoids ?

There item number 1 on the following link, easy to get at (one bolt and small bracket as shown in the link) and they just pull out.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BZ12-EUR-08-2007-E85-BMW-Z4_20i&diagId=11_3296

To be honest if that doesn't swap it over its starting to look like a chain/tensioner issue at this point as the vanos/valvetronic issues normally flag codes that say vanos or valvetronic this or that. The chain/tensioner is a common fault unfortunately on that engine, the only positive is the engine is whats know as "none interference" so unlike some engines that when they have timing chain/belt issues can smash the valves and pistons together, this can't happen on the BMW N46 2.0 engine. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!