Crank position sensor

[Bimmer_man]

So I needed to replace my engine harness and I can't get the crank position sensor wire off. Is there a trick to getting it off or do I need to remove the dang engine mount to get to it? I'm stumped. I looked around but all the info I find is for the regular e30.

[nando]

you can remove the harness. is the sensor unplugged?

this isn't really an ix specific question either - the biggest physical difference is the oil level sensor wiring (it's under the motor instead of on top).

[jeffnhiscars]

you can remove the harness. is the sensor unplugged?

this isn't really an ix specific question either - the biggest physical difference is the oil level sensor wiring (it's under the motor instead of on top).

Does this mean an ix harness is less than ideal for a motronic conversion ?

[nando]

it will work - it has the pin for the ICV bump from the ABS computer, but it just won't do anything on a RWD car. Otherwise the oil level sensor wiring might be a bit too long but that shouldn't matter?

[Bimmer_man]

I can't get it unp lugged the the issue I can't get my and in to undone metal clip to pull the plug off so I can plug in the new harness plug sonjncan start the car. Sorry if this wasnt ix specific j thought that it may have been cause its in such a hard to get spot.

[nando]

it's right under the OBD plug? pretty accessible. All you have to do is push down on the clip and pull it off. maybe undo the bolt that holds the bracket for the OBD connector, CPS and impulse sensor wires so you can get to it easier? is the connector broken or something?

[Bimmer_man]

............well I feel retarded.......I'm looking at the oil pressure sensor

[nando]

oh. yeah that's a bitch. consider undoing the engine mount bolts and jacking up the engine a little bit.

[Bimmer_man]

That's what I'm about to do. If that's unplugged would that prevent the car from getting spark? I'm hunting down a no spark issue now. My previous harness got nicked somewhere and was shorting out my afm so I replaced the engine harness and now no spark. I tried flushing the crank position sensor now that I know that's it and the impulse wire but still nothing. Also the icv isn't buzzing at all still when the car is on aux.

[nando]

no. it would only prevent the light from coming on if you lost oil pressure.

could you have the crank and impulse wires reversed?

[Bimmer_man]

I tried switching then but still no start. To my knowledge the car would not send spark to the coil from an issue with the cps right?

well i just read something if the car is having issues with the cps then it wont even fire the injectors. I just pulled my plugs off and i smell raw fuel and they are slightly damp with unburnt fuel. so that means my cps is working right ? I tried switching the ECUs and still no fire.

[nando]

it means that something is working, yes. it won't fire the injectors without a crank sensor either, I don't think it will even turn on the fuel pump.

if you get fuel but no spark, there could be something wrong with the cap/rotor, plug wires, coil, or coil power/ground.

[Bimmer_man]

all my ignition stuff is 3k old also the coil itself isnt getting any power at all. still gets fuel this is really confusing me. something i did find interesting is my OBD plug cap has 5 prongs on it rather than 4 on my previous harness. this harness did come out of an 89 ix and my car is a 91 ix. would that make any difference?

also there is a white plug next to my ecu thats not plugged in what dose that go to ?

[Bimmer_man]

Okay so i got a multi meter to tell me what is working and what isnt. all the connections where tested with a good battery and the key on aux. Below are all i tested and the volts that connection was getting on the harness end.

Coil 12.09
o2 0
AFM .2
ICV 12.21
TPS .24
check valve under the TPS 12.2
Impulse 0
CPS 0
alt 12.21
starter 12.1
Fuel relays Orange: 12.2, 12.6, white 12.9


So im assuming that for a couple of these the car needs to be cranked please feel free to correct me if im wrong.

[mtnbimmer]

oh. yeah that's a bitch. consider undoing the engine mount bolts and jacking up the engine a little bit.

When I first looked at this problem on mine, I felt the same way. After doing it, relatively easy (IMHO). As you noted, basically I lifted the engine. Drove up on ramps for access, unbolted the engine mounts from above and lifted the engine with a floor jack using a piece of 3/4" plywood to spread out the loading. One trick I found to help is using a 25mm 3/8' drive shallow socket (commonly called a Bosch injector socket).