dead crank position sensor

[shopkeep]

I have a dead OBDI crank position sensor from an S52 swap. I am doing the OBDI conversion. I am little pissed at myself for not testing the resistance of it before I decided to twist the top where the wire is at for it to be able to line up right, so I don't know if that is what caused it.

So internet, is that what I am supposed to do in the first place for it to fit on the S52? Because the wire inherently does not allow the sensor to be lined up correctly in the first place. My other question is will an OBDII crank sensor work? (From the looks of it I will have to extend the wire from the harness for it to reach)

Also, does it absolutely need to be lined up correctly? can I rig it up to just be there and have it work fine? The little tab at the end of it seems to indicate that it does need to be lined up at the correct angle however...

[BeirBrennerE30]

you seem to be on the wrong track all together here..

in the obd2 engine the crank pos sensor is located in the rear of the engine near where the starter is located. in an obd 1 engine the crank sensor mounts to a special ringy thing(that bmw is its good graces left for us to use) on the front timeing cover under the thermo housing. This front location is actually a better location for the sensor as it gives better resolution for the sensor on a larger wheel. I have heard rumors that BMW changed the location to the rear for cost reasons as well as complaints about the wire getting snagged on stuff if the plastic bracket broke.

if you convert to obd1 from 2 you HAVE to use the obd1 sensor in the obd1 location with an obd1 wiring harness. the sensor mounts with one cap screw and the wire is tucked up with the afore mentioned special bracket up under the vanos solonoid. it should fit fine with out any twisting or trickery so dont force it.

you can leave the obd2 sensor in the black so that there wont be a hole but just dont hook it up to anything.

[shopkeep]

Thanks for telling me everything I already know.:zzz: I did not get into this swap without knowing nothing...I am merely saying that the OBDI crank sensor the guy sent me with the car does not line up correctly with the bracket on the front of the engine where you are describing. I am thinking now maybe it was tampered with in the first place. The wire on the top of the sensor was at a certain angle that pressed up against the engine so that I could not mount it correctly to the "special ringy thing"

I was also thinking that the OBDII sensor could possibly work as well, seeing as it looks identical except with the plug right on it, I would just need to do a little wiring. Is that possible or will it just not work at all for it?

[BeirBrennerE30]

buy the obd1 sensor... they arent expensive