emj

So I've read several helpful threads on CPS replacement for my '01 CLK 430 and picked up a Bosch replacement yesterday.

With a bright bulb I looked on the driver's side of the engine by the firewall, and looked below for a wire that goes into the CPS. I believe I located the sensor but I'm not sure. It's about 4 to 8 inches deep in the rear of the engine about 6 inches across from the firewall and extremely tight to get to if you have big hands. I have the T8 Torx socket and 4 inch socket extension as well to remove the sensor. Is this the CPS?

So I guess I unclip the wire and the bolt will there to unscrew? Once I'm sure of the location I can enlist Jr. or the wife with small hands to unclip, unscrew, and pull/replace the sensor.

Anyone out there have a picture of the CPS location for my car? Thanks!

emj

I found this how-to for CPS replacement:

http://www.marcusfitzhugh.com/CLK/DIY/cps.html

I guess the wire that I see in the engine compartment according to the picture is connected to the CPS as there isn't anything else there that resembles this drawing in the area where the CPS should be. Gonna have to squeeze in there and pull it. A real PITA.

nicgentile

I replaced mine and you are 100% correct. You got it. go for it! unclip, unscrew pull it out and replace.

emj

Thanks, nicgentile. I appreciate the confirmation. I knocked it out on Sunday but it was somewhat of a pain to get the TORX bolt out. I found several threads here saying it was a 15-minute job, several saying it was PITA! Gotta say I'm with the second camp.

The little T8 TORX bolt was a pain to remove. I had a 1/4 inch ratchet, a 3 inch socket extension with a movable extension, and the T8 TORX socket. Snapping the wire off the sensor was all of 1 minute effort. Getting contact with the bolt to loosen it was a challenge - as you know, the space is very tight. After 15 minutes of spinning my wheels I went away. Decided I'd try another approach. So I threw the car up on some ramps as suggested by one of our MBWorld guys, and tackled the problem like that. Much easier, with good access to the sensor and the bolt. Drove the car all Sunday and today - no issues! Problem fixed!

This is an awesome board. Thanks!

nicgentile

Yes everyone around here is awesome. Lets just say I was as happy as you are when I needed to replace my CPS and feared it may have been a fuel pump. The guys on this board have saved me $1000s already and I havent even had my 430 for a year yet.

Glad I could help you and pass on the knowledge.

It is an "easy" job. The idea is simple, but I had a buddy help me and he was actually under the hood on top of the engine to get it out.

....and it was a bout 15F outside at the time

glad its all done for you.

MarcusF

I put a much better page together a few years back, but I couldn't contact the guy who took the photos, so I left it off of my site. Here's the link

ryback

this is awesome guys. you are the best. i am going to save a sh*t ton of money with this info.....
looks like i just need to order the part now.

nicgentile

Your welcome man. This
Info saved me too. Happy
To pass it on. Call around I found mine locally for $54. Pep boys.

ryback

And here i was freaking out.... Thanks again, i have got O'Reilly, Autozone, and two others within a half mile.... Beats ordering from the internet and waiting for shipping - which i was just in the middle of doing....

Thanks again guys.

cindyclk

I also did mine this week. I found that the 3/8 torx socket would not slip cleanly onto the bolt. The CPS created too tight a space bteween its edge and the bolt. I got a thin 1/4 drive #8 torx socket and it was out in 5 minutes (also had a long extension to avoid the tight hand fit). The forum has saved me countless $$ and gave me the confidence to do the work.

insame1

do your self a favor and pony up for the OE CPS. the original lasted 10+ years why buy a cheep one and have to do the job again in a couple of years. $168 at the dealer.
Also I used a 1/4" thin walled deep socket on a 1/4 driver and got the bolt out in about 3 min.

dlbehrns

if you want to blow your money at the dealer, go for it. I ordered a Bosch CPS from Autohausaz.com for my 320(search for a 430) for $60. Search your year and model then use Cranskshaft Position Sensor for your search terms. There are two types of connectors depending on your serial #. There's nothing wrong with Bosch parts. A hundred bucks is a hundred bucks.

ryback

mine was 55 with a 2year warranty....

insame1

i agree but a lot of the after market parts are not Bosh or even OEM. I have been rebuilding a 190e and have purchased parts from ebay autohaus and parts geek. Some times I get parts that look nice and work well. some times not so much. it is kind of a crap shoot buying unknown manufacture parts. The dealer is not the cheapest but the parts are always top notch.

I recently picked up a vacuum modulator at the dealer and it was less than geting the part from autohaus.

a warranty is great but i dont want to change it agin. like i said the first one lasted 10 year.

nicgentile

insame1:

I agree with you on most counts of buying OEM whenever possible. I do try to do this. I do not know how badly the other posters here needed to replace thier CPS, but mine was failing while I was driving. My 430 wouldstall out and not restart for at least 10 minutes. Happened to me in the middle of an intersection. forget about the part of me having a lovely fine lady with me

Point is the dealer didnt have one in stock and I needed a replacement THAT DAY!

Otherwise always try and buy OEM

bbrotschi

I just finished replacing the CPS on my 1999 CLK430. Once I was able to locate it, using the guidance from many threads on this board (thanks), all went OK, after a few trips to Pet Boys to get an inspection mirror, and some extensions for my 1/4" drive ratchet set. What I found to be most annoying however is the bolt which holds the CPS in place. Not only is it not visible when looking down from the top, but it is not what I expected, having purchased a T8 driver bit. See the attached photo of the actual bolt.

BTW, I replaced the stock unit with item# 1035394 (MFG PART NO REMP311802) from Auto Parts Warehouse, cost was $54.97