Crankshaft Position Sensor - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

BJK1903 · 03-07-2013, 01:50 PM

Hi Guys,

So my first major problem with my 08 E92 328xi.

The other day when I was on the highway going about 60mph, the car just kind of stumbled and the check engine light came on. And yesterday when I was at the red light, the car just stopped. When I tried to start it again, it struggled a little bit then turned back on.

I took it to my mechanic and he said it is the "Crankshaft Position Sensor". I searched here but nothing came on regarding that sensor.

My question is,

Does that make sense?
How much should it cost to have it changed?

He gave me a price for $400 with parts and labor. He said it will take 2 days to replace this.

Thanks for everyone's input in advance.

index1489 · 03-07-2013, 04:10 PM

I think the sensor is about 100 bucks, you get to it from under the car, 300 in labor sounds steep, should take no longer then 1 hour.

elinstylez · 03-07-2013, 05:16 PM

I recently had the same thing happen with my dad's 00 e320. The part online costs less than $50, and according to other forum members about 20 minutes worth of time (for that car). Yet, the mechanic charged me $400 including part and $110 diagnostic fee, which is a ripoff but I didn't want to pay $200 to tow it home.

Try searching for a DIY if you want to do a project...

nate5ks · 03-07-2013, 07:22 PM

I paid around $400 to have this done, it looked like a real PITA. Indy says the xfer case gets in the way on the x-drive variants and you have to tear a bunch of stuff out like the intake manifold.

index1489 · 03-07-2013, 07:26 PM

You get to it from the bottom all you have to remove is the engine plastic underbody cover, its a nearly blind install its a connector and a sensor with a O ring that goes into a hole on the block.

You just feel around, remove the bolt on the sensor pull the sensor out, disconnect the electrical connector, lubricate the new oring with engine oil, pop it in, put the bolt and tighten.

The sensor also is not 50 bucks, its closer to 100 its the same price as the VANOS camshaft position sensors which I replaced, very similar design. This is assuming you are getting the sensor for MSRP, the dealer or indy might mark up the price on top of that, in such case it is recommend to order the part online @ bmwpartspros.com or getbmwparts.com

I don't know about the x-drive stuff, then again I think BMW's are too complicated to begin with all wheel drive is just crazy, in such case removing the manifold means the mechanic tried to get to it from the top, much bigger job, especially on a E90 330/325i because of the external oil separator, 335i/328i don't have this much easier.

BJK1903 · 03-08-2013, 06:37 AM

Thank you everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate5ks

I paid around $400 to have this done, it looked like a real PITA. Indy says the xfer case gets in the way on the x-drive variants and you have to tear a bunch of stuff out like the intake manifold.

That is exactly what he said he is going to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by index1489

You get to it from the bottom all you have to remove is the engine plastic underbody cover, its a nearly blind install its a connector and a sensor with a O ring that goes into a hole on the block.

You just feel around, remove the bolt on the sensor pull the sensor out, disconnect the electrical connector, lubricate the new oring with engine oil, pop it in, put the bolt and tighten.

The sensor also is not 50 bucks, its closer to 100 its the same price as the VANOS camshaft position sensors which I replaced, very similar design. This is assuming you are getting the sensor for MSRP, the dealer or indy might mark up the price on top of that, in such case it is recommend to order the part online @ bmwpartspros.com or getbmwparts.com

I don't know about the x-drive stuff, then again I think BMW's are too complicated to begin with all wheel drive is just crazy, in such case removing the manifold means the mechanic tried to get to it from the top, much bigger job, especially on a E90 330/325i because of the external oil separator, 335i/328i don't have this much easier.

I checked around and only was able to find the part for $107. Which my mechanic quoted that for $120. So I'll let him order the part since with the shipping it will cost the same.

The way you write it sounds very simple. Even my mechanic had to search online to find out how to replace that part. Maybe I should just take it to a dealer for this one?

400hporbust · 04-11-2013, 01:10 PM

Anybody doing it DO NOT try and go from the bottom. At least not on a 335xi e92. You literally can't see anything from down there. I used my friend's lift and tried, and couldn't see jack. Then I went at it from the top and it took way under an hour. Just pull the cabin air filter cowl off, then the intake, and it's right there. It's at an awkward angle, but nothing terribly hard.

BJK1903 · 04-15-2013, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beantown256

Anybody doing it DO NOT try and go from the bottom. At least not on a 335xi e92. You literally can't see anything from down there. I used my friend's lift and tried, and couldn't see jack. Then I went at it from the top and it took way under an hour. Just pull the cabin air filter cowl off, then the intake, and it's right there. It's at an awkward angle, but nothing terribly hard.

My friend helped me change this and he changed the exact same way. Hope this helps folks in the future. My mechanic wanted $400 for this.

03-07-2013, 01:50 PM	#1
BJK1903 BESIKTAS - cArsi Drives: Space Grey - 2008 xi E92 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Boston - MA Posts: 105 iTrader: (1)	Crankshaft Position Sensor Hi Guys, So my first major problem with my 08 E92 328xi. The other day when I was on the highway going about 60mph, the car just kind of stumbled and the check engine light came on. And yesterday when I was at the red light, the car just stopped. When I tried to start it again, it struggled a little bit then turned back on. I took it to my mechanic and he said it is the "Crankshaft Position Sensor". I searched here but nothing came on regarding that sensor. My question is, Does that make sense? How much should it cost to have it changed? He gave me a price for $400 with parts and labor. He said it will take 2 days to replace this. Thanks for everyone's input in advance.
	Tweet

03-07-2013, 04:10 PM	#2
index1489 Major Drives: Out of warranty BMW Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 1,366 iTrader: (3)	I think the sensor is about 100 bucks, you get to it from under the car, 300 in labor sounds steep, should take no longer then 1 hour. __________________ Gotta pay to play. WTB OEM Headunit E90/E92/E93 08+

03-07-2013, 07:26 PM	#5
index1489 Major Drives: Out of warranty BMW Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 1,366 iTrader: (3)	You get to it from the bottom all you have to remove is the engine plastic underbody cover, its a nearly blind install its a connector and a sensor with a O ring that goes into a hole on the block. You just feel around, remove the bolt on the sensor pull the sensor out, disconnect the electrical connector, lubricate the new oring with engine oil, pop it in, put the bolt and tighten. The sensor also is not 50 bucks, its closer to 100 its the same price as the VANOS camshaft position sensors which I replaced, very similar design. This is assuming you are getting the sensor for MSRP, the dealer or indy might mark up the price on top of that, in such case it is recommend to order the part online @ bmwpartspros.com or getbmwparts.com I don't know about the x-drive stuff, then again I think BMW's are too complicated to begin with all wheel drive is just crazy, in such case removing the manifold means the mechanic tried to get to it from the top, much bigger job, especially on a E90 330/325i because of the external oil separator, 335i/328i don't have this much easier. __________________ Gotta pay to play. WTB OEM Headunit E90/E92/E93 08+ Last edited by index1489; 03-08-2013 at 01:22 AM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

03-07-2013, 05:16 PM	#3
elinstylez Private First Class Drives: N55 335xi e92 M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 107 iTrader: (1)	I recently had the same thing happen with my dad's 00 e320. The part online costs less than $50, and according to other forum members about 20 minutes worth of time (for that car). Yet, the mechanic charged me $400 including part and $110 diagnostic fee, which is a ripoff but I didn't want to pay $200 to tow it home. Try searching for a DIY if you want to do a project...

03-07-2013, 07:22 PM	#4
nate5ks Second Lieutenant Drives: 2006 BMW 330xi Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL Posts: 267 iTrader: (0)	I paid around $400 to have this done, it looked like a real PITA. Indy says the xfer case gets in the way on the x-drive variants and you have to tear a bunch of stuff out like the intake manifold.

04-11-2013, 01:10 PM	#7
400hporbust beantown256 Drives: 2008 BMW 335xi Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 31 iTrader: (0)	Anybody doing it DO NOT try and go from the bottom. At least not on a 335xi e92. You literally can't see anything from down there. I used my friend's lift and tried, and couldn't see jack. Then I went at it from the top and it took way under an hour. Just pull the cabin air filter cowl off, then the intake, and it's right there. It's at an awkward angle, but nothing terribly hard.