Camshaft position sensor, CPS confusion.

[spyde25]

I am doing a T Belt head gasket on a newly acquired 1988 325i manufactured 08/87.

The PO started the job and removed all belts and gave up. Well i am prepping to go back together have cleaned up my crankshaft position sensor and the other cable that is identical to the crankshaft position sensor is missing the sensor.

I do not know what the cable is for but assume it to be the camshaft position sensor that goes on upper T belt cover. the problem i have is looking for its replacement. Pelican parts calls camshaft position sensor a CPS which confuses things all together. there are some after-market ones but they have to be spliced in and that wont work for me as mine is hard plastic. Other vendors have called them speed sensors and pulse sensors which in turn pulls up a crankshaft sensor.

So i went to the local parts store and they pulled up a camshaft position sensor, but it looked just like the crankshaft position sensor. So i had them pull up a crankshaft position sensor, and it had the same p/n as the cam sensor. So now you see the confusion i have.

So i need a camshaft position sensor, is it the same p/n as a CPS?

anyone have a pic?

What should i order?

[Sagaris]

This part is the crank position sensor. It mounts at approx. the 10-o'clock position and points at the toothed wheel on the crankshaft.

The other item that has a similar connector and plugs in right next to where the crank position sensor does ( under the large C101 connector) :


is the impulse sensor. The connector for it can be seen at the bottom center of the screen with its wire leading off to the right side. It connects to the #6 spark plug wire and allows the ECU to do a seperate batch-fire for the fuel injectors since 1-2-3 fire simultaneously then 4-5-6 fire simultaneously just afterwards. I hear that you can drive without it, but with a decrease in fuel efficiency.





I would imagine the M42 and M50 engines (DOHC) have cam position sensors but not the M20. It only has the crank position sensor shown in the first pic.

[whodwho]

It is the impulse sensor and does run without it, it is part of the plug wire set and not replaceable. Run it now and pick up a set of wires sometime.

[spyde25]

Perfect. Thanks alot.


I already have a whole ignition system coming so i can stop fretting. thanks again.

[lateracer]

It is the impulse sensor and does run without it, it is part of the plug wire set and not replaceable. Run it now and pick up a set of wires sometime.

Didn't know this. Cool. But, if it runs without that wire, what happens?

This is new to me and I haven't done any homework, but if it's not effecting the power output of my motor, it would make plug wires alot cheaper.

[jlevie]

Didn't know this. Cool. But, if it runs without that wire, what happens?

This is new to me and I haven't done any homework, but if it's not effecting the power output of my motor, it would make plug wires alot cheaper.

The Cylinder ID sensor is used to control firing of the injector banks. If the signal is absent the DME will fire both banks of the injectors at the same time rather than in sequence. The affect of this on engine operation is a slight loss of power and a drop in fuel economy.

[lateracer]

The affect of this on engine operation is a slight loss of power and a drop in fuel economy.

...and there goes that idea. :-x