First off, I wanted to make this guide as a compilation of what is available on the board. I used Scott's (Pigeon) and DriftinSequence's guides to help me install this.
I am copy pasting their work here and adding a little of my additions to make this "ultimate" guide.
From this thread made by DriftinSequence: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=299010&highlight=Intake+camshaft+sensor
SYMPTOMS
Here are some of the things to notice to see if your intake camshaft sensor or possibly your intake camshaft sensor is going out.
1) your car doesn't feel like it has much power.
*now depending on the car and the severity of the sensor, some cars
would not have that much of a noticable decrease in power while
others do.
2) your car has stalled on acceleration or deceleration. how hard you accelerate or decelerate does not matter, usually under 40mph this would happen.
3) your car does not want to start the first time, or, the car hesitates for a bit and then starts. when i say hesitate, i don't mean to say that the battery is weak and thus your starter motor doesn't have the "kick" to turn your car over. I mean that you have full "kick" of the starter motor but the car won't turn on.
>>>>> these are some of the common errors I found and some have personally experienced. Since this is a big problem as it seems on the E46's, I thought I would share my experiences into helping you guys since you helped me on this very issue.
NOTE: these are the most common noticable problems. No check engine light or other dashlights have been turned on. Do not attempt to arbitrarily change the intake camshaft sensor without checking fault codes first!
part runs about $110 plus you need to get a new o-ring which is $1. Stick with OEM since I don't think many other places would have it
DIY INSTALL GUIDE
Mostly copied from Pigeon's guide:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=245059&highlight=intake+camshaft+sensor
TOOLS:
-32mm open-ended wrench to remove/replace the VANOS solenoid
-5mm Allen head socket
-Blue loctite - the factory put it on the bolt holding the sensor for a reason...
PARTS:
-Camshaft Position Sensor (Intake) - Approx - $120
-Replacement O-ring
Here's how to do it:
NOTE: I did the install after a 45min drive to the dealer so the engine was hot, I recommend waiting for the engine to be completely cool but I was impatient.
1.) Remove the airbox (2 10mm bolts after the cover's removed)
![Image]()
2.)Disconnect the tube above the sensor and the VANOS solenoid by squeezing both sides of the connector and pulling straight out (I think this is the PCV recirculation but I'm not sure)
![Image]()
![Image]()
3.) Disconnect the VANOS solenoid electrical connector by squeezing the wire clip and pulling the connector off
![Image]()
![Image]()
4.) Remove the canister holding the oil filter, 2 bolts, which gives you more room to take out the VANOS solenoid and to run the new wire for the CPS.
![Image]()
5.)Remove the VANOS solenoid with the 32mm wrench. Oil will come out, have rags ready
![Image]()
![Image]()
I am copy pasting their work here and adding a little of my additions to make this "ultimate" guide.
From this thread made by DriftinSequence: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=299010&highlight=Intake+camshaft+sensor
SYMPTOMS
Here are some of the things to notice to see if your intake camshaft sensor or possibly your intake camshaft sensor is going out.
1) your car doesn't feel like it has much power.
*now depending on the car and the severity of the sensor, some cars
would not have that much of a noticable decrease in power while
others do.
2) your car has stalled on acceleration or deceleration. how hard you accelerate or decelerate does not matter, usually under 40mph this would happen.
3) your car does not want to start the first time, or, the car hesitates for a bit and then starts. when i say hesitate, i don't mean to say that the battery is weak and thus your starter motor doesn't have the "kick" to turn your car over. I mean that you have full "kick" of the starter motor but the car won't turn on.
>>>>> these are some of the common errors I found and some have personally experienced. Since this is a big problem as it seems on the E46's, I thought I would share my experiences into helping you guys since you helped me on this very issue.
NOTE: these are the most common noticable problems. No check engine light or other dashlights have been turned on. Do not attempt to arbitrarily change the intake camshaft sensor without checking fault codes first!
part runs about $110 plus you need to get a new o-ring which is $1. Stick with OEM since I don't think many other places would have it
DIY INSTALL GUIDE
Mostly copied from Pigeon's guide:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=245059&highlight=intake+camshaft+sensor
TOOLS:
-32mm open-ended wrench to remove/replace the VANOS solenoid
-5mm Allen head socket
-Blue loctite - the factory put it on the bolt holding the sensor for a reason...
PARTS:
-Camshaft Position Sensor (Intake) - Approx - $120
-Replacement O-ring
Here's how to do it:
NOTE: I did the install after a 45min drive to the dealer so the engine was hot, I recommend waiting for the engine to be completely cool but I was impatient.
1.) Remove the airbox (2 10mm bolts after the cover's removed)
2.)Disconnect the tube above the sensor and the VANOS solenoid by squeezing both sides of the connector and pulling straight out (I think this is the PCV recirculation but I'm not sure)
3.) Disconnect the VANOS solenoid electrical connector by squeezing the wire clip and pulling the connector off
4.) Remove the canister holding the oil filter, 2 bolts, which gives you more room to take out the VANOS solenoid and to run the new wire for the CPS.
5.)Remove the VANOS solenoid with the 32mm wrench. Oil will come out, have rags ready
