Which CPS does my car use?

[iamsam]

4/87 build 325is.

Is it just me, or is there no crank/position sensor listed on Pelican Parts for my car?

The only one listed for an M20B25 car says for build dates after 9/87. Then there is a "Timing Sensor for Motronic Ignition (Front of Engine), 325/e/es/i/is/iC/iX (through 8/87" listed but it doesn't look like a CPS at all, doesn't even have the mounting hole.

RealOEM says the PN is 12141720852, shown as #1 here:


But that PN on pelican parts brings up the same sensor that specifies it is for cars made AFTER 9/87.

Anyone have any experience with this?

And yes, I searched. I found about 286800 threads on

"my car won't start"
"replace the CPS"
"Thanks"

But no info on this discrepancy on the build date cutoff for different sensors.

I'm about to cram an extra CPS from an M60B40 in there and see if it works. It looks the bloody same...

Thanks.

[TurboJake]

It's labeled wrong on Pelican parts. It's not supposed to have a before or after date.

They're either mounted in the trans, or on the front of the motor. Of which the 325iS never had a trans mounted CPS.

12141720852 is the CPS you want.

So yes, it's just you... AND pelican parts for labeling it incorrectly.
11/86 build date 325i

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1113&mospid=47309&btnr=12_0076&hg=12&fg=05

[reelizmpro]

Front mounted on the passenger side by one 6 or 7mm allen screw. Then you have to fish the wiring from under the plastic cover that's clipped to the timing cover. Be careful not to break it, it's probably brittle. I believe it slides up. The connector terminates under the diagnostic connector.

[iamsam]

Thanks guys, that clears it up for me.

[iamsam]

Update: Installed my M60B40 CPS, it fits perfect, I can slide a piece of paper between the CPS and harmonic balancer wheel, still no spark.

Now I don't know much about crank position sensors but I assume that they all pretty much operate the same way, and if it fits, it should at least do something.

Am I wrong?

[paperplane94]

i thought the clearance was 1mm. not piece of paper thick.

other things to check:
-main relay
-coil values
-ignition wires
-cap n dizzy


also make sure you didn't mix up the CPS and CID sensor plugs up. they are identical.

[TurboJake]

Update: Installed my M60B40 CPS, it fits perfect, I can slide a piece of paper between the CPS and harmonic balancer wheel, still no spark.

Now I don't know much about crank position sensors but I assume that they all pretty much operate the same way, and if it fits, it should at least do something.

Am I wrong?

Quite so, If they aren't the same part numbers, you can bet somethings different. Manufacturers ALWAYS use the same part number if it's the same part.

M60 part number for the "Crankshaft Speed sensor": 12141731887
M60 part number for the "Camshaft Speed sensor": 12141731886
M20 part number for the "Pulse Generator":12141720852

$50 says they operate on completely different resistance ranges.

If you want a good but cheap CPS, I have several.

[iamsam]

i thought the clearance was 1mm. not piece of paper thick.

other things to check:
-main relay
-coil values
-ignition wires
-cap n dizzy


also make sure you didn't mix up the CPS and CID sensor plugs up. they are identical.

Hmm, I found an un-used plug dangling under the diagnostic port and I assumed that that was the CPS plug. It had apparently fallen out of its mounting point right under the diag port, where there was also another (used) plug mounted.

I could have fried my coil also, because I applied straight 12V to it at one point to see if it put out anything. Yep, I'm a genius.

Quite so, If they aren't the same part numbers, you can bet somethings different. Manufacturers ALWAYS use the same part number if it's the same part.

M60 part number for the "Crankshaft Speed sensor": 12141731887
M60 part number for the "Camshaft Speed sensor": 12141731886
M20 part number for the "Pulse Generator":12141720852

$50 says they operate on completely different resistance ranges.

If you want a good but cheap CPS, I have several.

I do hope you are right and I am wrong. If there will be one thing different it will be the resistances, that's for sure.

How much do you want shipped for a good working CPS?