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M156 Crank Position Sensor Location

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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 10:42 PM
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2009 C63 AMG, 1998 Nissan Frontier
M156 Crank Position Sensor Location

I used the search function, but the information I found was not clear. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I recently ordered a new crank position sensor for my whip. 09 C63 has 77,000 miles and the service records show that it has never been changed, so for $25.00 what can I lose (thank you FCP Euro). To start off with I followed this DIY thread, https://mbworld.org/how-tos/a/merced...-sensor-388962 and I noticed a few things. First, the engine in the picture is not an m156 engine. The next picture is the m156 intakes, ok no biggie maybe that's the only pic available. On the third step I noticed the brake lines against the firewall and started to use them as a reference. This and the fact that the valve covers in the pictures are not from the m156 had me scratching my head. I spent 30 minutes with my hand behind the engine with a flashlight feeling for what could be a CPS. To no avail I gave up after 30 minutes, I figured I would save what little knuckles I had left after doing the valve covers. So my question is: where exactly is the CPS? Driver side, Pass side? Do you get to it from the top or bottom? Does the intake manifold need to be removed? All help is much appreciated,

Thanks David

Last edited by Dtorre1240; Jun 14, 2018 at 08:25 AM. Reason: Clarification
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 11:55 PM
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I seem to remember seeing a diagram that put the cps behind the Y pipe, possibly angled towards the driver's side. Maybe 2-4" back from where the y connects to the intake manifold. In that general area I think. I could be confused though.

Last edited by Doc Oc; Jun 14, 2018 at 11:58 PM.
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Old Jun 16, 2018 | 12:05 AM
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Thanks fellas, I found it. The cable was perfectly in line with the one above it so I didn't even bother putting my hand in that area previously. Wow is that a pain to get to. Your arm will be squeezed tight between the firewall and the engine hoist hook. For anyone doing this DIY I recommend a stepping stool if your 5'9 or shorter. It will let you get to it from a more veritical angle and save you some arm pain. The sensors directly below the black hose (picture attached).
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Old Jun 16, 2018 | 11:04 AM
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Well done, persistence pays off.
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Old Dec 27, 2018 | 12:53 AM
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Have you got anymore pictures? Im guessing the plug is under the rubber cover but i cant get my fingers around it, i think im going to have to try pull the screw out while its still plugged in...
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Dtorre1240

Thanks fellas, I found it. The cable was perfectly in line with the one above it so I didn't even bother putting my hand in that area previously. Wow is that a pain to get to. Your arm will be squeezed tight between the firewall and the engine hoist hook. For anyone doing this DIY I recommend a stepping stool if your 5'9 or shorter. It will let you get to it from a more veritical angle and save you some arm pain. The sensors directly below the black hose (picture attached).
Could you add an arrow or something pointing at the sensor? Also what side is it: driver or passenger? I am having the same issue on W211 E63 and would like to find out more so that I can replace myself.
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Old Sep 14, 2019 | 11:17 PM
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If anybody is still following this thread, could you help me to locate this sensor? I took the air intake and Y pipe out and checked beyond it on driver side. Is the sensor there? One line had a heat wrap around it, but I couldn't pull it up to see if the sensor was there. It's been zip tied to the line.
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Old Sep 17, 2019 | 12:50 PM
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Yes, it is the smaller wire with the heat wrap on it. You can't pull the sensor up until you remove the torx screw holding it into the bell housing.
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Old Sep 17, 2019 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Dtorre1240
Yes, it is the smaller wire with the heat wrap on it. You can't pull the sensor up until you remove the torx screw holding it into the bell housing.
Yeah, there was no room for me to put my hands in there to clip the zip tie, pull the wrap up, and remove the sensor. I am taking it to a mechanic tomorrow. Not sure how the mechanic will reach it.
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Old Sep 17, 2019 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Rovel
Not sure how the mechanic will reach it.

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Old Feb 6, 2020 | 05:09 PM
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Can anyone please point to the pic on this thread with arrow or a circle on the location of the crankshaft sensor? I’ve been searching all over for DIY instructions for a m156 and can’t find any.
thanks
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Old Mar 26, 2020 | 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by funkadeli63
Can anyone please point to the pic on this thread with arrow or a circle on the location of the crankshaft sensor? I’ve been searching all over for DIY instructions for a m156 and can’t find any.
thanks
late post but just changed my sensor today.
take off intake like above, but also..
I took off the engine mount. Which requires the brake line clip to come off.
also removed the main vacuum line.
You also have to unplug the ignition coils and pull the wire harness up.

Also used some gum on the e8 to hold the bolt so it didn’t fall into the abyss. Brake bolt loose with ratchet; then turn extension by hand to finish loosening.

hope this helps someone.








Not sure what brand the on in there is? Can’t find it online.


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Old Mar 26, 2020 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by djjdnap
late post but just changed my sensor today.
take off intake like above, but also..
I took off the engine mount. Which requires the brake line clip to come off.
also removed the main vacuum line.
You also have to unplug the ignition coils and pull the wire harness up.

Also used some gum on the e8 to hold the bolt so it didn’t fall into the abyss. Brake bolt loose with ratchet; then turn extension by hand to finish loosening.

hope this helps someone.








Not sure what brand the on in there is? Can’t find it online.
Good job. But I think it shouldn’t require so much to come off. I took my car to the mechanic and he replaced mine pretty fast and only charged me for 1 hour of labor. I wasn’t there and didn’t see how he did it though. $125 bucks paid and I was back on road.
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Old Mar 26, 2020 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Rovel
Good job. But I think it shouldn’t require so much to come off. I took my car to the mechanic and he replaced mine pretty fast and only charged me for 1 hour of labor. I wasn’t there and didn’t see how he did it though. $125 bucks paid and I was back on road.
Probably from the bottom.
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Old Mar 26, 2020 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Rovel
Good job. But I think it shouldn’t require so much to come off. I took my car to the mechanic and he replaced mine pretty fast and only charged me for 1 hour of labor. I wasn’t there and didn’t see how he did it though. $125 bucks paid and I was back on road.
it really doesn't take that long.
I just figured i'd put all of the steps in. Im sure there are other ways, but nobody posted anything soooooooooo
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Old Mar 27, 2020 | 01:28 AM
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Thought it was a PITA on my old C43, but this looks even worse. I'll make sure to have beers on standby. Thanks for the pics.
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Old Mar 27, 2020 | 03:09 AM
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Its a fact that large hands make this job impossible from the top. I could not access this sensor from the bottom either. My buddy @ MB said they would get the smaller techs to actually kneel on top of the IM while facing the driver side front wheel and use the left arm to reach down by the firewall to remove the bolt/sensor.

Truth be told, I had my wife do it. My arm and hands would not fit
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Old Mar 27, 2020 | 08:00 AM
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Originally Posted by bentz69
Its a fact that large hands make this job impossible from the top. I could not access this sensor from the bottom either. My buddy @ MB said they would get the smaller techs to actually kneel on top of the IM while facing the driver side front wheel and use the left arm to reach down by the firewall to remove the bolt/sensor.

Truth be told, I had my wife do it. My arm and hands would not fit
my hands are big as well. If you take off the engine mount and coolant hose it opens it up.
you need a stubby 45 torx or you have to pop the brake line holder off since it’s right behind the bolt.
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