camshaft position sensor faulty

[pgovia]

I have a '99 323i with the engine light on. On cold starts I have no problem. When the engine is hot, (after restarting) starting in first gear, it will cut out. Once moving, torque is low. After getting a read-out from Autozone, I'm told that the camshaft position sensor is faulty and ignition (plugs and wires). Anyone know about changing this sensor ??
Thanks

[323imankiks]

the sensor is in the front of the engine i believe its hooked up to a wire harness if you look down in front of your engine by the belts to your left you will see it i have never replaced but i dont think it looks to difficult to replace. As for your plugs and wires? how many miles do you have? Ahh technicaly there are no spark plug wires there are but they are bundled up into a outlet that connects the coil and boot that connects to the plugs. Normally spark plugs should last at least 100,000 miles but not always. I replaced a coil last week as my check engine light came on so i saw how the setup is in there..

[pgovia]

Thanks. I looked at the following site http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/C...eplacement.htm but this is for a 540i (hoping my setup is not too different). As for mileage (58000) I thought that plugs would last a lot longer (up to 100000 miles). Is it possible that the diagnostic readout could be incorrect ? would I be able to get away with just plug replacement ? Another site for dyi's.... http://www.geocities.com/e36rulz/E46DIY.html

[323imankiks]

well the setup is slightly different the sensor is on the engine block in front of the 3 series. I think autozone is trying to milk you for more things than necessary it could be wrong. first change sensor and see how it runs. i have 64k on my car and have not changed plugs yet. i think that sensor is around 90 to 100 dollars but not sure. try sensor first than go from there

[speedbm21]

I replaced my sensor a few months ago. Just like 323imankiks suggested, I would ONLY replace the sensor and see how it goes. My car would start fine and then go out and then it would start back again.

[My friend's car died completely (it wasn't the battery) a few months ago and had to replace a coil.]

Let me know if you need to know the price.

[pgovia]

I just called bimmerparts and they asked which sensor, intake ($91) or the exhaust ($93). I thought that there was only one ???

[323imankiks]

Originally Posted by pgovia

I just called bimmerparts and they asked which sensor, intake ($91) or the exhaust ($93). I thought that there was only one ???

unfortunatly there is more than one. Now i think the one i have been refering to is the exhaust . I cant tell you which one because if i do it probably would be the wrong one to replace its your call maybe someone else know better. oh ya these sensors are a high failure rate.

[crash8168]

it has two sensors which one? exhaust or intake?

[pgovia]

Originally Posted by crash8168

it has two sensors which one? exhaust or intake?

I'm guessing its the intake (I've seen from a number of bmw forums that this is very common). I will be taking it back to Autozone tonight to see what the diag. says.