Notices
Mercedes Tech Talk Discuss general technical questions and issues about your Mercedes-Benz. Moderated by a certified MB Tech.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

ML320 Crank Position Sensor - what tool 2 remove?

Old Sep 7, 2008 | 04:26 PM
  #1  
w_cohen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
ML320
ML320 Crank Position Sensor - what tool 2 remove?

I am positive my ML 320 (1999) has a failing crank position sensor (CPS).
I have located the sensor and it seems to have a star head screw holding it down. Anyone know what size star socket I need to remove it with? I assume a 1/4" drive works best.
Also, as it is a very tight fit with limited available room what accessories should I also get/use with the socket I obtain (how many/long extensions, universal joint, etc).

I'd like to try the replacement myself but if it is too difficult then I'll take it to a dealer.

Thanks,
Walter
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2008 | 02:39 AM
  #2  
deuxslow's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: OC california
W215
I just replaced this in our C320 yesterday...Use a regular 6mm socket with 2 6 inch extensions. I bought a U-joint but I never used it, it was to difficult. And yes...1/4 drive is what you need. Torx(star) sockets are not absolutely neccesary either.

Last edited by deuxslow; Sep 11, 2008 at 02:42 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2008 | 08:31 AM
  #3  
azinn's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 398
Likes: 1
From: In A Van Down By The River
2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Originally Posted by w_cohen
I am positive my ML 320 (1999) has a failing crank position sensor (CPS).
I have located the sensor and it seems to have a star head screw holding it down. Anyone know what size star socket I need to remove it with? I assume a 1/4" drive works best.
Also, as it is a very tight fit with limited available room what accessories should I also get/use with the socket I obtain (how many/long extensions, universal joint, etc).

I'd like to try the replacement myself but if it is too difficult then I'll take it to a dealer.

Thanks,
Walter
Plenty of info here http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...ht=replace+cps
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2008 | 12:33 PM
  #4  
lkchris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
The screw is external Torx wrench size E8.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 02:07 AM
  #5  
deepdubey's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Picture of the location of cps on 99 ml320

Originally Posted by w_cohen
I am positive my ML 320 (1999) has a failing crank position sensor (CPS).
I have located the sensor and it seems to have a star head screw holding it down. Anyone know what size star socket I need to remove it with? I assume a 1/4" drive works best.
Also, as it is a very tight fit with limited available room what accessories should I also get/use with the socket I obtain (how many/long extensions, universal joint, etc).

I'd like to try the replacement myself but if it is too difficult then I'll take it to a dealer.

Thanks,
Walter
Hi, Can you upload a picture of the location of the crankshaft position sensor. I saw the picture on another thread but it wasn't clear and I wasn't able to locate the cps.

Thanks
Deep
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2009 | 08:45 PM
  #6  
Racerx18691's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Orange, CA
Mercedes ML430
My ML430 CPS needs to be replaced as well. Can the CPS be reached without taking the engine cover off?
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2009 | 11:15 PM
  #7  
lkchris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
It lifts off in a heartbeat, doesn't it?

On my W210 it was invisible in any event, but if you removed most of the air filter/intake system you could at least see it from the passenger side (but you couldn't reach it).

Just think about it--if it's reading crankshaft revolutions, it's reading them from the flywheel. That's just ahead of where trans connects to engine. If you were sitting in interior of car, think 10 o'clock.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2009 | 11:29 PM
  #8  
Racerx18691's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Orange, CA
Mercedes ML430
thank you. I will try it.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:40 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE