ryanra357

I created a video of me replacing the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) on my 2000 Mercedes Benz S500. It took about 20 minutes and cost about 70 dollars.

The dealer was estimating the part replacement and diagnosis would cast about $325.

Hope this Helps!
http://youtu.be/KTTM3VeJuA8

Randall Ryan

Das Geld 2

Excellent Work

Skylaw

Thank you for this very useful addition!!

02S430

did you read the thread at all or are you just posting so you post count can go up?

ahcmercedes

It looks simple but the location of the sensor makes it hard for novices like me. I don't know how others can reach the sensor. I worked on my 2004 S500. I have small hands but I could only squeeze 2 fingers in and it was extremely difficult to grab and pull the cable plug out as well as putting the sensor back.
After many frustrating trials and errors, I've found out the following tools will be of great help for non-handymen like me:
- 10-inch long nose plyer ($7.99) to pull out and put back the cable and the sensor. With the plyer, you are able to see the sensor, Without it, you have to work by feeling with your 2 fingers.
- magnetic retriever ($1.99) to retrieve the torx screw. I dropped the screw many times. Without the retriever, there was no way to find the screw. And you won't be able to find it at the regular auto parts stores.

These tools are in addition to the recommended E8 female torx socket and the 1/4 ratchet 10-inch extension.

Thanks to all who have posted pictures and videos. It was extremely helpful.

glassdome

Awesome post and instructions. I have always reverted to the dealer for anything other than simple changes. Looked at the part price then the mercedes Benz price for the CPS replacement and thought it would not hurt to give it a go. 20 mins were mentioned in the YouTube video to complete this, so I allowed 2 hours to be safe......

Took me 15 mins start to finish and car started and drove first time. Awesome instructions and the post gave me confidence to try. It is an absolute doddle to do, maybe easier as I have the s320 petrol rather than the larger 500 so space is a bit better.

Thank again. £32 part from eBay vs £380 from mercedes!

Cheers now off to have a nice expensive meal to reward me, this time having the confidence that the car will start in the car park afterwards!

Thanks to you all

Hawk49

Great Post!! Appears to be a much easier job than replacing the CPS in a 98 E320. I had to use a flashlight and a mirror to locate it on the back of the bell housing, and a ratchet and long extension with a universal attached to the socket to loosen it.

koolpapa7624

Thanks for the info. Took some effort to find CPS on S430, and even more to get to E8 bolt. You really can't see it, you have to feel for it, so without this info I would have been lost. So Thanks again.

MattieMat

Hey MB family, I recently had the problem with my 2001 S500 not starting and cutting off while running. I replaced my crankshaft position sensor after reviewing this site and seeing that other had the same issue and performed the job them selves. I bought the part from advanced auto for $54, bought the torx adapter that connects to the bolt holding down the sensor. I replaced it and saved my self some time and money. I received estimates of $180-$250 picture thatI watched a youtube video and did it myself for a total cost of under $60 bucks .....

Mattiemat

cerberaspeed12

Many thanks for this. My 2000 CL 500 W215 (same engine as S500) had exactly the same problem. It would suddenly stall when the engine had just got up to running temperature. Turning the keys would make the starter spin and spin, but the engine just wouldn't run. I had to wait for it to cool down for 20 - 30 mins then try again.

Fitting the CPS was a real *****, but I saved so much money that I don't care. You can only just about see it and get to it. If you haven't got yourself a magnetic retriever tool, now is the time, because you WILL lose your E8 adapter down there at least once.

I found that, once I got the bolt out, the CPS itself was still very, very reluctant to come out. I had to pull and wiggle and curse and sweat for a good 10 mins. It could be because there was a little corrosion around the hole, and the powder was digging into the plastic and gripping it like teeth. Be persistent and it'll come out in the end.

stevedel

CPS left me stuck at the store for an extra 30-45 minutes this afternoon. This is the 3rd time it's happened to me this year. I'm glad to see there is a video to reference. I sure would hate to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with no AC during the Arizona summer. Gonna order one tonight and replace it this weekend.

ibeforreal

Interestingly enough I had the same exact problem a couple of weeks ago. The MB dealer wanted 150 for the part and said it would take a couple of hours of labor to replace @ $130 p/hour. Found the part at Advance Auto for about $45 after a 20% discount and it took me about 20 minutes to replace following your video and the pictures posted here. The toughest part was not dropping that little nut when taking the old unit out or putting the new one back in. Definitely much easier working on a cold engine because the space is very tight.

Thanks again.

stevedel

Finally got this done yesterday. The most difficult part was finding the right angle to fit the socket onto the bolt then finding the bolt after I dropped it. Lol. I'm very thankful for the video and pics posted.

SkiMiester

Though I would post this here and the W211 thread.

Just thought I would chime in and report another...or rather another 2 successful CPS transplants. If you can believe it I got stuck in the garage (2003 E500) got the part from O'Reilly's and an E8 socket and went to work. Real tight with lots of blind touch and feel in there, used the twist-tie trick for putting back the screw and all was well. Yeeeehaa!

10 Days later Murphy decided to drop by and curse my wifes 2004 S430. She called me that her car would not turn over...I told here to wait and try again to make it home...Bought another CPS. This one although visible and with more approach space was a little tighter around the actual sensor. There was some kind of metal plate around the perimeter of the sensor which made it hard to maneuver around...but that plate saved me once from loosing the screw once or twice. This time I had to use and antenna magnet to get that screw out (while the sensor was stil in there). you see I try to loosen the screw first just over a 1/4 inch and then pull up the sensor then loosen the screw all the way then pull out the sensor with the screw still in the sensor but for some reason I almost lost it. Soooo.....when putting the CPS back in this time I could not use the Twist-tie trick because the metal plate would not give me enought room to pull the Twist-tie out afterwards. Sooo, to make a long story short I held the CPS with the screw in it with the socket extention but no rachet handel and hand tightened it. The rest is history....Phew!!!

EM1N3NT

I just replaced my cps and im still getting the same problem?! It started up right away, i let it run for about 5-10 mins and then it died out again as it warmed up just like it was before. Does anyone else know whatelse it could be or maybe if i have to let the computer relearn itself?? Fyi i didnt have a check engine light before replacement but after replacement i now have a CL light... Hopefully i can figure this out asap....

ibeforreal

Changed mine a while back. Took about 20 minutes. Stealer said it would take about an hour and 1/2 minimum. Just don't drop the little bolt holding it in. I have a pretty neat tool that a friend bought for me that she saw on QVC.

It is a flashlight that extends about 2.5 feet like the old style car antenna. The head of the flashlight is magnetized. A pretty strong magnet at that. Has saved me a few times looking for lost screws, nuts, and bolts.

clmallow

Not to appear ignorant (or rather PROVE that I am!), but I have owned a 2001 S600 for about a month now and I'm having all kinds of troubles. But in this thread I will stick to the one issue I need to address first: the failed CPS.

My question is, while the instructions and video link on here are AWESOME, do the same instructions apply to my vehicle? I mean, will my CPS be in the same or similar location?

I look forward to coming back to this forum to research my car's MANY issues!

Thanks,

Chris

ibeforreal

I'm almost sure it will be. It won't take you but about 5 minutes to find out. Just pull the air filter housing off so that you can see down there.

clmallow

Here's to hoping. Will be trying to change the CPS tomorrow evening. I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but nor do I have a huge bank account - so trying to DIY as many of the issues on this car as I can to save money.

After I tackle the CPS, time to find out where my oil leaks are coming from!!!

Thanks for the reply, ibeforreal. Appreciate it.

Chris

rik881

Got me a S500 today, doesn't start at all. I see that there is no fuel coming can this be because of the cps or do i have to look into the fuel system?

tusabes

No

If there's no fuel its probably the fuel pump or fuel pump relay

rik881

I'm trying to locate the fuse box, but no luck yet.

rik881

Fuse box found! Relay switched with the one next to it but no luck.
I have pulled fuel pump now and it doesn't respond even directly connected to a battery so i bought a new filter and pump. Will arrive in 2 weeks.

progonat

Thank you for sharing this DIY. Just replaced mine using these instructions and the great DIY guide on www.mercedesmedic.com/crank-shaft-position-sensor/

muxa_b

hi guys!
I am in need for Crankshaft Position Sensor for 2001 W220 S600 5.8 non turbo M137 . Does anybody know the part number? Is CPS the same as on S500 ??