Faulty Camshaft Position Sensor - anyone heard of that?

[Z4_in_Norway]

Hi all,
I have just had my car at the BMW dealer. The yellow engine light appeared last week as the car started behaving strangely (sputtering, revs goings very low when in neutral).
I drove straight to the BMW dealer and they are telling me it is a faulty camshaft position sensor. :x They cleared the light, but did not have time at the moment to change the sensor (I have to wait until end of september). However, the light has not come back on.
Is there any risk in driving the car (I know nothing about this problem, don't even know what function a camshaft position sensor has).

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[Z4_in_Norway]

oops, should have posted on the "problems"-section.
Sorry for that!

 

[EdButler]

Its a relatively common problem on BMW's yes. Fortunately they're also very easy to replace (god knows why they didnt have time!) Common symptoms are similar to what you said, however usually the car just cuts out and sometimes it just wont start. Theres a small chance it will cut out whilst at cruising RPM though.

 

[WLH]

oops, should have posted on the "problems"-section.
Sorry for that!

No worries as I have moved it...

 

[chris]

Normally it will just go into limp mode, so feels like its lost 100bhp basically. No harm in driving it, just watch the power delivery

 

[Z4_in_Norway]

Thanks for the answers, I feel a bit more comfortable driving it now. It has not gone into limp-mode, and the yellow engine light has (so far) has not turned back on...