2012 x5 e70 cam position sensor location

[debeekay]

Can someone please tell me where the camshaft position sensor
is located on the 2012 x5????
If someone has a video link or engine bay diagram pics THAT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

[Markyboyslm]

What engine?
Usually on the top of the valve cover in the back close to the firewall.

[debeekay]

n55
we found the sensor, replaced it. the first code it threw was 052b then after replacing i drove it about 45 miles now its making this loud ticking noise and throwing code p0343.

[ard]

Sounds like it may be a vanos issue, possible vanos actuator. In ther models, removing the solenoids, flushing them and replacing sealing rings can help. You often will get CPS and Vanos errors, many folks confuse the errors with "this part is bad". A cps error means 'the DME got a bad value from the CPS sensor'...this does NOT necessarily mean "the CPS is bad" Vanos errors will throw off valve timing.

Can you run a vanos actuator test? Or jsut a simple code reader? Invest in a computer or mechanic.


No warranty? 2012 with over 50k??

[bawareca]

Originally Posted by ard

Sounds like it may be a vanos issue, possible vanos actuator. In ther models, removing the solenoids, flushing them and replacing sealing rings can help. You often will get CPS and Vanos errors, many folks confuse the errors with "this part is bad". A cps error means 'the DME got a bad value from the CPS sensor'...this does NOT necessarily mean "the CPS is bad" Vanos errors will throw off valve timing.

Can you run a vanos actuator test? Or jsut a simple code reader? Invest in a computer or mechanic.


No warranty? 2012 with over 50k??

Correct. The OEM BMW diagnostic tool will give a better explanation of the code and will also run a test schedule to help pinpoint the problem. It may be implausible signal, bad timing, no signal, etc.

[debeekay]

I have a diagnostic tool. After replacing cam shaft pos sensor everything was okay for a day or 2. Then when started when cold it had this loud ticking then threw 0343 code.
We checked the vanos solenoids, electrical part is fine but one had a regular oring & the other had a hard plastic oring neither had copper washers, there is no oil leak.

[ard]

Originally Posted by debeekay

I have a diagnostic tool. After replacing cam shaft pos sensor everything was okay for a day or 2. Then when started when cold it had this loud ticking then threw 0343 code.
We checked the vanos solenoids, electrical part is fine but one had a regular oring & the other had a hard plastic oring neither had copper washers, there is no oil leak.

So you flushed the solenoids with solvent and actuated them- nice crisp responses?

Then ran the VANOS actuator test, VANOS passes?

[ard]

One concept, may or may not be at play here...

These engines are controlled by a dynamic computer- what that means it that the computer senses all sorts of things, and using 'maps' in the software, adjusts to get the right toque, power, emissions, etc.

Over time, issues with components (drifting sensors, air leaks, degraded solenoids) can lead the computer to operate in a particular area of the map- it does the best it can...until something happens and it can no longer hold and you get a code.

THAT code is just 'the thing that tripped the error'- there may be other things. You may fix one thing, and the computer then runs for a while seeking the best settings...but maybe another error.

I bring this up to highlight that 'running fine for a day' means really nothing.

Also, CPS, Vanos, timing, AF ratio, all are linked. Ive seen VANOS codes generated by bad CPSs. Ive seen vanos solenoids cause no CEL, but the car wont pass emissions. (HC). There are solid, logical reasons for these. As a first order guess, sure, replace the part that relates to the code...but understand there is a layer or two of complexity behind that.

You mention when you looked at the solenoids, the washers were not stock?

[sigue]

Any one has pictures of how to locate all 4 sensors?

[ard]

Odd...I got an email notice that xchen posted:

I am helping a friend family with their 2008 X5 3.0si (I trust it is a E70 engine). The car has logged just over 90k miles. The engine light came up recently and I took it to a local AutoZone store. They helped reading the troubleshooting code out as P0012: Camshaft position - timing over-retarded bank 1. It also points to a camshaft actuator failure - mechanical timing condition. I was told that this X5 had an engine stall last week.

I am wondering if there is a DIY instruction sheet with photos for this repair. I need to know the location of this actuator to assess if I can handle the work. I do most routine maintenance and small repair work on my family cars but I am new to BMW.

About 3 weeks ago, the husband of my wife's friend family add 4 quarts of engine oil without knowing the oil level already in the engine. (I think this was done after the engine light came up.) A week ago the engine start to show unstable idle and I was called for help. I drained the engine oil and replaced oil and air filters. The drained engine oil took almost 3 1-gallon empty windshield washer bottles (2 filled to the cap and 1 to the full line). I then refilled with 7.5 quarts of full synthetic 5W-30 (Mobile One Gold Extended Life) and the LCD display's Service Requirements Engine Oil Level shows close to the MAX line. I took the X5 for a 4-mile drive yesterday to the local AutoZone store to read the engine diagnostic code. It runs fine over the short trip.


Please advise.

Would be nice to post actual codes instead of someones vague recollection of what might be remembered.....







I would replace the CPS sensor FIRST.


Do not mess with any actuators.


The issue is once the DME loses track of the timingin, you THEN get codes for actuator faults. In other models these all clear up when you replace the faulty CPS.


However, having siad this, I dont know if the oil overfill might have lead to oil pressure issues and damage to the vanos stuff.

Actuator first, then see what happens.


Sounds like an idiot was doing car maintenance....