busaman

My car has been diagnosed with the crankshaft position sensor needing to be replaced. Where on the engine is the CPS located and what tools are needed to replace the part? Thank you.

mobinakhtar

Part is cheap circa $50-$100.

Location is 16" S of steering wheel on drivers side engine compartment

1 8TE Bolt - thats it. HOWEVER need a flexing rachet (30-degree or so and a 11 year old's hands to do the damn thing - there is virtually no space there. you can either see it or touch it not both at same time.

It is accessable from top. I had mine done couple weeks ago - a friend did it gratis. Actually he donated the part too that was in his old flooded engine.

ebay $35-50
dealer $80-$112
one hour labor - and they do negotiate it to 45 mins or less if you are good.

AmazinglySmooth

What were the symptoms that you reported for that diagnosis?

mobinakhtar

Sometimes when car was driven for a while and then stopped (like home to restaurant to shop to shop) it would not start on first try. 2nd or third time cranking it will start like nothing happened - no codes either.

If it took more than 3 times it would trigger MIL with misfire codes.
I kept driving like that and them once in odd while it would die at idle at signal lights but would start again on 2nd try or so.

Once it died and wouldnt start again until 20 minutes or so when CPS sensor cooled (I later found thay work fine cool). it was a cheap part to throw at so i did it and since then no issues.

ONE THING TO NOTE THOUGH: IT all started happening the day after I replaced all spark plugs with Bosch+2's. For a while i was playing with plugs, wires, coils thinking it has to be the plugs or something I did. Searching in the forums directed me to the CPS though.

lkchris

Those are incorrect plugs for your car and should be replaced with those factory specified. +2 Bosch are simply K-Mart specials.

EHop

its more/less below the mass air flow sensor. it gets its reading from the flywheel so its acutally on the bellhousing of the transmission. easiest way is with a long extension(24" or so) and a universal socket. your arm will get cratched up when u reach down to unplug the connector and pull it out.

gnma

awesome post. I'm sure as the W211 gets older, more DIY projects will spring up.

calvin199

was facing a similar issue with my mercedes e500. Thanks for the help.

jamesjohnst

Thanks for the info it helped change one on my 2004 E500