Exhaust Side Camshaft Position Sensor - DIY

Bringing it back to the top, great thread! had to do the 30 sec on/off with the key a couple of times, but the light is off for now! Thanks for the writeup.

OK, question, and I can't find the answer. I've done the worst, I stripped the inside of the bolt and I have no clue how to get it out now. My sensor has been bad for 4 yrs now and I need to replace it. Anyone have an idea of how I can get the screw out now?? I was afraid I would had to remove a ton of stuff and actually have to drill it and use an easy out, but that's a ton of work. Any help would be nice!!

I have been told the place to hook up obd scanner on a 323 bmw 323ci is to the left of the steering column on the kick panel which needs to be removed to access the port by which to connect the obd scanner. Where is the kick panel?
does anyone have a pic as to where I hook it up.

thanks
Matfel

Thanks mate just followed your write-up and replaced the part in 10mins.

Cheers

Another thanks for the DIY here
Replaced mine on the weekend and was fairly straight forward, took less than 1/2 hour although it turned out that my problem was the intake sensor which I then replaced as well and to put it mildly was an absolute pr!ck in comaparison and took about 2.5 hours

Hi, thanks a lot for the DIY. Seems easy enough for me to give it a try.

One question though:
A search on ECS Tuning brought 3 results back. $33, $50 or $110 (OEM). I always try do go the OEM route but how do those two other parts compare? I mean... the price difference is huge!
Not that I want to be cheap but I am also planning a level 2 cooling system overhaul so it would be nice to save a bit... but in the end will saving today be worth it tomorrow?

Originally Posted by El Polo

Hi, thanks a lot for the DIY. Seems easy enough for me to give it a try.

One question though:
A search on ECS Tuning brought 3 results back. $33, $50 or $110 (OEM). I always try do go the OEM route but how do those two other parts compare? I mean... the price difference is huge!
Not that I want to be cheap but I am also planning a level 2 cooling system overhaul so it would be nice to save a bit... but in the end will saving today be worth it tomorrow?

I'd stick with OEM especially these sensors, it's certainly not something you'd want to have to do again any time soon and ceratinly not worth the risk just to save 60 or so dollars

I totally agree with Darkoz, I recently bought one from Advanced Auto Parts, supposedly I was told by a BMW mechanic from a BMW Dealership that the Beck/Arnley from Advanced Auto Parts should be the same one. I bought it for only $40 and replaced it. My first problem with this was that the o-ring was too small, which caused a leak right after I installed it. So I took it out again and used the old o-ring. Now the problem is that the CEL is still on with the same code for the CPS.



Lesson here for me (even though everyone tells you to do it - OEM) : Don't cheap out on OEM parts, especially electrical parts... I'm $40 under and still back at square one...

Sigh

is there a part number for the 5mm bolt? I wanted to replace it. Prob will goto the hardware store and check it out too.

Originally Posted by lulubboy

is there a part number for the 5mm bolt? I wanted to replace it. Prob will goto the hardware store and check it out too.

Fillister-head screw, M6X16. BMW part # 13-62-7-545-338, less than $1.00.

Cool your right - no need to remove fan and easy removal finally after breaking the seal.
I think I found my oil leak, coming from the ECS spot. Bought this off ebay about 6 months ago.. its works but guess its been leaking this whole time and I didn't check on it since my engine light went out.
-I' going to try a bigger o ring, if that doesnt work then I guess I have to go buy an OEM one.

Anybody know the cheapest site to order this unit with OEM o ring?

Thanks.

To install the bottom end of the CPS(Side without o-ring) i couldnt see the end of the chord from the engine bay. Do you have to connect it from the bottom of the car?

did this on the weekend took about 30min cause of the allen bolt position + locktite


thanks for writeup

Thank you for the DIY, helped me out today while replacing my sensor in my 02' 330ci!

Cheers

HEY GUYS.....haha...So, I uh broke the bolt of when I was doing the exhaust side and the top of the bolt was on the wrenc and the rest of the bolt was in the hole where it was to be screwed in. What should I do? DO I need to get someone to drill out the bolt and then put in a new screw altogether? Will it leak if I drrive it around? If I put sealant around the edges to prevent leaking will that help? ts pretty snug in there so how much should I worry. Either way, I'd still be kinda skeptical to drive it around knowing that one bolt is missing somewhere in my engine.... Do I buy a new Engine lmao??!!??

PLEASE HELP!?!!?? :-/