The camshaft position sensor is used to synchronize fuel injection and as a feedback device for VANOS (variable camshaft timing) control.
When a camshaft sensor fails, the check engine light will illuminate and a fault code will be stored. I have seen faulty sensors cause engine stalling and poor engine drivability. If you have a camshaft sensor fault code and your engine isn't running right, I suggest replacing the sensor before digging too deep.
When you are dealing with camshaft position fault codes, be sure to test the sensor and confirm it is faulty. Other items could also set a camshaft position fault code, for example a dirty or defective VANOS solenoid. If you have a fault code for either camshaft position sensor, check the VANOS solenoid first. It is easy to do and could save you time and money. Remove both VANOS solenoids from cylinder head, see our tech article on VANOS solenoid replacing. Check VANOS solenoid for cleanliness and or debris. Clean both solenoids and reinstall. If the fault code for camshaft position sensor goes away or swaps position from intake to exhaust (or vice versa), the fault code is being caused by the VANOS solenoid. Replace the solenoid that the code followed. Here are fault codes you may have if a VANOS solenoid is causing your problem, 2A9A Cam sensor, inlet signal invalid for synchronization, 2A98 (P0016) Crankshaft intake correlation value outside ref range, 2A82 intake VANOS jammed mechanically, 2A9B exhaust camshaft sensor signal invalid for synchronization, 2A99 (P0017) Crankshaft position sensor and exhaust camshaft, correlation value outside reference range, 2A87 exhaust VANOS jammed mechanically.
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- Repair Summary
- Repair Difficulty and Cost
- Parts Diagram
- Required Parts List
- Repair Steps
Repair Summary
This article gives detailed instructions on replacing the camshaft position sensors in a BMW vehicle with the N52 6 cylinder engine. Even though we used a 2006 530xi to perform this repair, this article can be applied to any BMW vehicle with the N52 engine including most 2004-2013 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, X1, X3, X5, and Z4 models minor modifications to the repair steps.
See all vehicles this article applies to
E90 3 Series 323i
E90N 3 Series 325i
E90N 3 Series 325xi
E90N 3 Series 323i
E91 3 Series 325i
E91 3 Series 323i
E91N 3 Series 325xi
E91N 3 Series 325i
E91N 3 Series 323i
E92 3 Series 325xi
E92 3 Series 325i
E92 3 Series 323i
E92N 3 Series 323i
E92N 3 Series 325xi
E92N 3 Series 325i
E93 3 Series 325i
E93 3 Series 323i
E93N 3 Series 323i
E93N 3 Series 325i
E60 5 Series 523i
E60N 5 Series 525Li
E60N 5 Series 525i
E60N 5 Series 523Li
E60N 5 Series 523i
E61 5 Series 525i
E61 5 Series 525xi
E61 5 Series 523i
E61N 5 Series 523i
E61N 5 Series 525i
F10 5 Series 523i
F11 5 Series 523i
E83N X3 Series X3 2.5si
E85 Z4 Series Z4 2.5si
E89 Z4 Series Z4 23i
F18 5 Series 523Li
F18 5 Series 520Li
E60 5 Series 523Li
E60 5 Series 525Li
E81 1 Series 130i
E87 1 Series 130i
E88 1 Series 128i
E88 1 Series 125i
E82 1 Series 128i
E82 1 Series 125i
E87N 1 Series 130i
E90 3 Series 330xi
E90 3 Series 330i
E90 3 Series 328i
E90 3 Series 328xi
E90 3 Series 325xi
E90 3 Series 325i
E90N 3 Series 330i
E90N 3 Series 328xi
E90N 3 Series 328i
E91 3 Series 330xi
E91 3 Series 330i
E91 3 Series 328xi
E91 3 Series 328i
E91 3 Series 325xi
E91N 3 Series 330i
E91N 3 Series 328xi
E91N 3 Series 328i
E92 3 Series 330xi
E92 3 Series 330i
E92 3 Series 328xi
E92 3 Series 328i
E92N 3 Series 330i
E92N 3 Series 328xi
E92N 3 Series 328i
E93 3 Series 330i
E93 3 Series 328i
E93N 3 Series 330i
E93N 3 Series 328i
E60 5 Series 530xi
E60 5 Series 530i
E60 5 Series 525i
E60 5 Series 525xi
E60N 5 Series 530xi
E60N 5 Series 530Li
E60N 5 Series 530i
E60N 5 Series 528xi
E60N 5 Series 528i
E61 5 Series 530xi
E61 5 Series 530i
E61N 5 Series 530xi
E61N 5 Series 530i
F10 5 Series 530i
F10 5 Series 528i
F11 5 Series 530i
E63 6 Series 630i
E63N 6 Series 630i
E64 6 Series 630i
E64N 6 Series 630i
E65 7 Series 730i
E66 7 Series 730Li
F01 7 Series 730i
F01N 7 Series 730i
F02N 7 Series 730Li
E84 X1 Series X1 25iX
E83N X3 Series X3 3.0i
E83N X3 Series X3 3.0si
F25 X3 Series X3 28iX
E85 Z4 Series Z4 3.0si
E85 Z4 Series Z4 3.0i
E86 Z4 Series Z4 3.0si
E89 Z4 Series Z4 30i
F18 5 Series 530Li
F18 5 Series 528Li
F18N 5 Series 530Li
F02 7 Series 730Li
E70 X5 Series X5 3.0si
E60 5 Series 530Li
A faulty BMW N52 camshaft sensor will usually cause erratic engine surges and a lack of power.
There are two camshaft sensors in the BMW N52 six-cylinder engine and they have a very straightforward job; they monitor the position of the intake and exhaust valves and report the data to the engine control module (ECM). This data is used by the ECM to determine the proper fuel, air, and spark needed to keep the engine running at its peak performance.
Over time, age and the brutal engine heat take their toll on the sensors causing them to fail. The following image shows the camshaft sensors removed from a 2006 530xi with 130,000 miles. The sensors have actually begun to melt from the heat seriously affecting their functionality.
The tell-tale sign that the camshaft sensors are failing in your N52 six-cylinder engine is a "Service Engine Soon" error light in the instrument cluster with a camshaft position sensor error code on the diagnostic scanner. Camshaft position error codes may be one of the following: 2AA0,2A9a,2B62,2A9E,P0345,P0346,P0347 or P0348. Other signs that a camshaft sensor has failed in your N52 engine include a noticeable loss of power (especially while accelerating) and erratic engine surges. Please be aware that these symptoms can also be indicative of failing a failing VANOS solenoid(s). The BMW Repair Guide strongly recommends replacing your VANOS solenoid valves with the camshaft sensors when performing this repair. For more information on replacing your VANOS solenoids, please see our article BMW N52 VANOS Solenoid Replacement – 1,3,5,6,7,X1,X3,X5,Z4 6cyl..
The BMW N52 camshaft sensors are located on the front of the engine and are easily accessible without removing any parts. This is a simple repair for the home mechanic and will avoid a costly trip to the repair shop or dealership.
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N52 Engine - All BMW Models
1 Series E81 (02/2006 — 12/2011)
1 Series E87 (03/2005 — 02/2007)
1 Series E87 LCI (01/2006 — 06/2011)
1 Series E88 (11/2006 — 10/2013)
1 Series E82 (12/2006 — 10/2013)
3 Series E90 (02/2004 — 08/2008)
3 Series E90 LCI (07/2007 — 12/2011)
3 Series E91 (02/2004 — 08/2008)
3 Series E91 LCI (07/2007 — 05/2012)
3 Series E92 (05/2005 — 02/2010)
3 Series E92 LCI (09/2009 — 06/2013)
3 Series E93 (09/2005 — 02/2010)
3 Series E93 LCI (09/2009 — 10/2013)
5 Series E60 (07/2004 — 06/2007)
5 Series E60 LCI (11/2005 — 05/2010)
5 Series E61 (07/2004 — 02/2007)
5 Series E61 LCI (11/2005 — 03/2010)
5 Series F10 (02/2009 — 06/2013)
5 Series F11 (11/2009 — 05/2013)
5 Series F18 (08/2009 — 08/2013)
5 Series F18 LCI (10/2012 — 04/2014)
6 Series E63 (02/2004 — 07/2007)
6 Series E63 LCI (05/2006 — 07/2010)
6 Series E64 (03/2004 — 07/2007)
6 Series E64 LCI (05/2006 — 07/2010)
7 Series E65 (06/2004 — 07/2008)
7 Series E66 (07/2004 — 07/2008)
7 Series F01 (06/2008 — 06/2012)
7 Series F01 LCI (07/2011 — 05/2015)
7 Series F02 (09/2007 — 06/2012)
7 Series F02 LCI (06/2011 — 05/2015)
X1 E84 (09/2008 — 08/2011)
X3 E83 LCI (02/2006 — 08/2010)
X3 F25 (07/2009 — 03/2012)
X5 E70 (02/2006 — 03/2010)
Z4 E85 (10/2004 — 08/2008)
Z4 E86 (10/2005 — 08/2008)
Z4 E89 (01/2008 — 08/2011)
View the detailed parts diagram for this repair.
Includes detailed part diagrams, part numbers and links to purchase all of the required components needed to complete this repair.
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Before starting this repair, you must have the following required parts.
Camshaft Position Sensor
Fits BMW N52 six-cylinder engines
The cam position sensor tells the engine when to inject fuel and when to spark. If you are experiencing periodic or permanent failure, you may have an engine that fails to start or stalls at random. You may be getting a check engine light.
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O-Ring for Camshaft Position Sensor
BMW N52 six-cylinder engines
New camshaft sensors do not include the o-ring gasket. Always use new o-rings when replacing your camshaft position sensors!