Any salvation for damaged eccentric shaft sensor?

BustedKnuckles · #1 12-11-2016, 10:16 PM

Replacing a few things on the N62 this weekend and while battling with the passenger valve cover it looks like I cracked the eccentric shaft sensor. I know the most common damage to the sensor is the "ear" where the electrical connection goes. Well, I didn't damage that but rather cracked the housing. I'm pretty sure I already know the answer but figured I would get on the forum and make sure before I drop $400 on a new one. I've been surprised before. Figured with how the sensor is held in place by the valve cover and maybe if I applied a little plastic epoxy between the cracks and got it back into its original position maybe it wouldn't effect its functionality? I know it's far fetched... but again, I've been surprised before... If I do have to replace it (which seems likely) is there an aftermarket option or is this one of those "trip to the dealership" items? Thanks again everyone!

80stech · #2 12-11-2016, 10:46 PM

Wouldn't surprise me at all if it still worked after some epoxy.

BustedKnuckles · #3 12-11-2016, 11:09 PM

Wow, you really think so? I have no idea how these sensors function nor how they are built. Kindof left out maybe an important detail though... The housing is cracked all the way around, it can flex a bit back and forth. Not a lot but a little and its not perfectly straight. I would have to apply some epoxy inbetween the cracks with a needle and then set it straight until fully cured. Structurally i know it would be fine. Again, i just dont know how these sensors are put together and function. Dont know if the damage this one has would prevent it from working properly. I can buy a new one tomorrow at the stealer but again, if i can save $400 i would obviously prefer to do that.

the_ulf · #4 12-11-2016, 11:24 PM

presumably it's an inductive proximity switch. if you have software to monitor I/O status of your engine electronics i would recommend carefully plugging the sensor back in - don't reinstall it, just leave it dangling, so you get electrical contact but try not to latch the plug, as you might exacerbate the problem trying to unplug it afterwards. if you move a large enough metal item (bolt?) in front of your sensor you should be able to see it change state in your software (presuming you have a suitable program to do so). if it still switches then there's nothing wrong with epoxy or maybe cyanoacrylate glue to hold it all together. however, i would suggest gluing it on the bench, nothing worse than accidentally gluing things into place.

BustedKnuckles · #5 12-11-2016, 11:45 PM

Well, i dont have software nor a cable to test it. By "glue it on the bench" i assume you mean gluing it while not installed. I of course wasnt going to make it permenant. I think i'll epoxy it up tomorrow. Let it set, then reassemble everything just enough to start the engine. If it runs ok then i will finish everything up and hope it doesnt fail in the future. If it runs like shit or not at all, i will assume the sensor is bad, fight the VC back off and replace it. Does anyone know if i will be able to rule out it malfunctioning just by runing it in the garage? Idle/revving?

ard · #6 12-12-2016, 03:36 PM

Toast.

While you might get it to work, how long? Enjoy replacing this crap over a weekend some time???

Order for any online BMW dealer....I do not buy aftermarket sensors

BustedKnuckles · #7 12-12-2016, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

Toast.

While you might get it to work, how long? Enjoy replacing this crap over a weekend some time???

Order for any online BMW dealer....I do not buy aftermarket sensors

Yeah, I decided against trying to fix it. The sensor seemed too damaged and I didn't have high hopes of it working properly. And even if it did after initial start up, due to the damage extent, I again, didn't have high hopes for the longevity. $500 lesson learned. New Genuine BMW sensor in the mail.

BustedKnuckles · #8 12-12-2016, 05:05 PM

In case anyone is interested... I took a quick 2 minute video of me showing the broken sensor and then breaking it apart to show the inside connections. I doubt it would really come in useful for anyone but might be interesting for some people.

I'm glad I didn't try to repair this one, Because of the damage it had sustained, the fact that it is always covered in oil, all of the engine vibrations, and the heat/cooling cycles it would constantly be going through. I highly doubt it would have worked long term... Below is the video! (sorry for the vertical video, I had my phone propped up and didn't know it was filming vertically.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seAlhRx_ym4

ard · #9 12-12-2016, 05:46 PM

As I began watching the video, I saw the two cans and thought "wait, he has the camera poised on top of two aerosol cans?!...he gotta knock them off flexing and pulling on that..."

BustedKnuckles · #10 12-13-2016, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

As I began watching the video, I saw the two cans and thought "wait, he has the camera poised on top of two aerosol cans?!...he gotta knock them off flexing and pulling on that..."

Hah, and sure enough...