How to Replace 2008 BMW 535xi Crankshaft Sensor

Replacing the crankshaft sensor on a BMW 535xi can be quite tedious! The most difficult / time consuming part was simply getting access to the crankshaft sensor itself. It is buried pretty deep behind the starter, behind some cables and tubes. You will be doing a lot of this job “by feel” unless you decide to remove more parts in the engine bay (like the intake manifold and throttle body).

Symptoms

The symptoms I noticed:

• Long crank (3-6 seconds) before engine starts
• Engine dies when accelerating from a stop
• Engine RPM jumping around erratically while driving
• Engine dies while driving 15-20mph, which forces the car into neutral (this will cause transmission fault codes)

Scan for codes

The codes that I found on Bimmercode were as follows:

Engine electronics

Transmission control

Materials Needed

• Crankshaft Sensor — Part Number 13627525015
  • I went with the VDO Brand (Continental) via FCP Euro
• Crankshaft Sensor O-Ring — Part Number 12141748398
  • Generic O-Ring from FCP Euro
• Sil-Glyde or Oil for lubricating o-rings during reassembly

Tools Needed

• E-Torx Sockets: E8
• Pick Tool
• Flat head screwdriver

Optional: 12-point socket set (this can grip the e-torx bolt better if using electrical tape to hold the screw for re-installation)

Guide

1. Remove Air filter box
2. Find the location of the crankshaft sensor
3. Remove any necessary hoses and clips near the starter to gain access to the crankshaft sensor
4. Remove the etorx screw
5. Crack the sensor free by wedging a flathead screwdriver next to the tab to get the sensor to “spin in place”
6. Remove the sensor from engine block
   Carefully pull on the wiring harness and sensor
7. Remove the sensor from wiring harness
   Use a small pick tool or precision flat head screwdriver
8. Check / remove green o-ring from engine block
   It may not have come out with the sensor — a pick-tool can be helpful for removing it
9. Clean any crud away from the opening
   Be careful not to push any grit into the engine
10. Apply o-ring to sensor
    Use oil or Sil-Glyde to lubricate the new o-ring
11. Install the sensor
    Does not need to be fully seated
12. Install the etorx screw
    • Apply tape to 12-point or e-torx socket to hold the screw onto the socket
    • Slowly work the screw in until the sensor is fully seated in the engine block
13. Use your finger to check that sensor is fully seated

Helpful Videos

• Long Crank Symptom
• Location of Sensor
• Best Overall Installation video