How to Identify Crankshaft Sensor Malfunctions in Your BMW

Are you experiencing difficulties with starting your BMW? Do you have a problem with stalling or your car misfiring? If so, then it could be due to a crankshaft position sensor problem.

The crankshaft position sensor commonly referred to as the CPS, is an important mechanism that enables the checking on the crankshaft position by feeding the engine control unit or ECU with information regarding the crankshaft position to enable it to control the fuel injection and ignition timing. Without this sensor, the engine of your BMW will not start or run smoothly. When the crankshaft sensor is bad, it will bring various complications that will worsen as time passes.

How To Know That Your BMW’s Crankshaft Sensor Is Failing

• Starting Problem: One of the most evident symptoms of crankshaft sensor problems is when the car struggles to start or even fails to start. Since the sensor is responsible for ignition timing, a failure of this component can result in your engine cranking but not starting.
• Car Stalls While in Motion: If your BMW car stalling issue occurs while driving or idling, it could be because of a faulty crankshaft sensor. A faulty sensor sends wrong signals to the ECU which leads to the sudden cutoff of power.
• Check Engine Light: The most common symptom of a failing crankshaft sensor is the illumination of the Check Engine light on your car’s dashboard. However, this light can mean many things, but a scan of the car’s computer will show a crankshaft position sensor code, such as P0335 or P0336.
• Misfires and Rough Idling: When this crankshaft sensor is not working as it should, the timing of the engine is affected, resulting in misfires, vibrations and rough idling of the vehicle. You may observe that your BMW is vibrating or stalling at certain speeds or when you are accelerating.
• Acceleration and Performance Decrease: As with any other part of the BMW, a faulty crankshaft sensor will also impact acceleration, and your vehicle will not respond as you expected when you step on the accelerator pedal. Since the ECU is not getting the right information, it cannot adjust the fuel injection or the timing of ignition.
• High Fuel Consumption: A damaged or faulty sensor will make the engine consume more fuel. If you see your gas mileage decreasing, it can be attributed to wrong timing adjustments brought about by the said sensor.

What to Do If Your BMW’s Crankshaft Sensor Is Failing

• Get a Diagnostic Scan: The mechanic can check the vehicle’s error code which might be linked to the crankshaft sensor. This is the best way of diagnosing the problem before replacing any part of the system.
• Perform Electrical Check: In the case that the scan indicates a problem with the crankshaft sensor, the next step is to check the sensor and the wiring. At other times, it may be a matter of a loose connection or a wire that has been cut or frayed that needs to be fixed.
• Replace Sensor: If the sensor is damaged beyond any possibility of being repaired, then it will have to be replaced. This is a fairly easy procedure, but it should be carried out by a qualified BMW mechanic to make sure that the part is fitted correctly and that the car’s settings are adjusted accordingly.

There might also be other related problems that the mechanic should look for since crankshaft sensor issues are sometimes associated with other engine parts.

Ultimate Bimmer Service Can Help Fix Your BMW In Addison

At Ultimate Bimmer Service, we have expertise in identifying and repairing crankshaft sensor problems for BMW automobiles in Carrollton, Addison, Dallas, Denton, Frisco, Irving, Richardson, Plano, and the surrounding communities in Texas. Our team has worked for many years on BMW engines and it means that your car will receive the best care from us. We use efficient diagnostic techniques to solve the problem quickly; whether it is the wiring, the sensor or any other issue that may be causing the problem. If you have noticed some of the symptoms related to crankshaft sensor failure on your BMW, do not wait for the problem to worsen.  Call us now and let us assist you in fixing your BMW so you can enjoy your car the way it’s meant to be!