Bought new (old) E46 330 - problem on the drive home!
Discussion
More fool me for buying old cars! (My wife warned me not to).
150k 330. Drove v nice on test drive, no issues or warning lights on Thursday.
Drove it back today (about 1 hour) was perfect 95% of way.
On the motorway power seemed to 'jolt' and then the DSC light came on. Since then seems to hesitate under load and also take time to crank. Idle seems grumbly.
OBD code states:
53 Signal Crankshaft Sensor
F4 Segment Timing, ture running disturbed.
So am I right to think this is an issue with the crankshaft sensor? Straight forward to replace? Anything else I should be looking at?
150k 330. Drove v nice on test drive, no issues or warning lights on Thursday.
Drove it back today (about 1 hour) was perfect 95% of way.
On the motorway power seemed to 'jolt' and then the DSC light came on. Since then seems to hesitate under load and also take time to crank. Idle seems grumbly.
OBD code states:
53 Signal Crankshaft Sensor
F4 Segment Timing, ture running disturbed.
So am I right to think this is an issue with the crankshaft sensor? Straight forward to replace? Anything else I should be looking at?
Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 8th September 16:20
Trevor555 said:
I've had a few done on Z3's.
The advice I was given was to fit a genuine BMW sensor, not a pattern one.
From distant memory I think it was about £140 fitted.
Not seen a crank sensor bring a warning light on though.
But the other symptoms you describe are what I experienced also.
Thanks. I've read the same re using genuine BMW parts. Any idea who makes these crank sensors?The advice I was given was to fit a genuine BMW sensor, not a pattern one.
From distant memory I think it was about £140 fitted.
Not seen a crank sensor bring a warning light on though.
But the other symptoms you describe are what I experienced also.
Is this GSF sourced part actual OEM?
I notice the OEM items don't come with the O-Rings.
Worth doing the cam position sensor at the front of the engine at the same time?
Cleared the codes this morning.
Car started and ran perfectly. No DSC light. Drove it for about 20 mins, no problem. Smooth, full power to the red line.
On return, ran the scanner again. No Crankshaft sensor codes but under the ABS search it came up with:
- B7 Steering angle sensor, internal
- 98 Button
- 94 CAN data fault from DME/DDE
So I'm assuming when the car became hot, caused the crankshaft sensor to get grumpy. I'll get a genuine BMW item from the dealer rather than the GSF linked item above and I'll probably get the local mechanic to fit as it looks like a potentially annoying job (especially if the bolt holding it in place is seized with 19 years of rust).
Not bad for £900 (electric leather + working aircon btw).
Car started and ran perfectly. No DSC light. Drove it for about 20 mins, no problem. Smooth, full power to the red line.
On return, ran the scanner again. No Crankshaft sensor codes but under the ABS search it came up with:
- B7 Steering angle sensor, internal
- 98 Button
- 94 CAN data fault from DME/DDE
So I'm assuming when the car became hot, caused the crankshaft sensor to get grumpy. I'll get a genuine BMW item from the dealer rather than the GSF linked item above and I'll probably get the local mechanic to fit as it looks like a potentially annoying job (especially if the bolt holding it in place is seized with 19 years of rust).
Not bad for £900 (electric leather + working aircon btw).
Trevor555 said:
Wow!
What a nice looking motor for £900
Thanks. What a nice looking motor for £900
helix402 said:
If steering angle sensor fault returns it can sometimes be fixed by re-initialising the sensor. If not a new sensor is needed.
Thanks for the info. No DSC light illumination today despite the underlying fault code.959 said:
Thanks for the link.Love those Type 32s.
Got a set of 17 inch Alpina Softlines that I may put on instead of the MV1s.
DJMC said:
Trevor555 said:
Wow!
What a nice looking motor for £900
Great to drive too. Had a 2003 330ci cab for nine years.What a nice looking motor for £900
Have driven more modern BMWs but none compare in comfort and handling (on our 10th now, X1, but not a driver's car).
Cledus Snow said:
Had a similar issue with my 330ci a few weeks ago. Just lob genuine Crank sensor at it.
Worked for me. (Two non-Gen ones didn't)
Thanks, that's good to know. Worked for me. (Two non-Gen ones didn't)
Drove it to work yesterday (and for home visits) and car was fine.
Ordered one from BMW, should be picking it up Thursday and will speak to mechanic about them fitting it Friday.
Looks like a niggly/frustrating job more than anything else owing to location and if the bolt holding it in is seized could be a bit of an arse.
helix402 said:
If steering angle sensor fault returns it can sometimes be fixed by re-initialising the sensor. If not a new sensor is needed.
Cleaned mine in situ about 4 years ago (function error) no problem since 
problem started out of the blue and clearing fault codes and zeroing sensor did nowt, the enclosure is not dust and dirt proof and due to its location over many years the lens that looks at the disc become dirty I ground the corner off whilst in situ and blew it out with an airline followed by closing the ground corner with a blob of Silkaflex 
may not work for everyone but ......Edited by Sardonicus on Wednesday 11th September 12:24
Having the crank position sensor done tomorrow. Been using the car daily for work (and various errands) and not had an issue. Starts fine. Runs smooth. Good power all through the rev range.
Occasional yellow oil level sensor light that goes on (and off after 5 secs) when starting the car. Oil level sensor was actually supplied by the seller and will replace when I change the oil.
Otherwise, seems like a decent car. Found some nice original details on it.
Full OEM first aid kit (under passenger seat).
Glovebox torch (working!)
Toolkit - was missing pliers, spark plug tool and wheel alignment pin but had spares (from various previous BMWs). Need a new locking nut key.
Clean boot complete with all the kit (warning triangle, jack, chock (and spacesaver under the cover)
Occasional yellow oil level sensor light that goes on (and off after 5 secs) when starting the car. Oil level sensor was actually supplied by the seller and will replace when I change the oil.
Otherwise, seems like a decent car. Found some nice original details on it.
Full OEM first aid kit (under passenger seat).
Glovebox torch (working!)
Toolkit - was missing pliers, spark plug tool and wheel alignment pin but had spares (from various previous BMWs). Need a new locking nut key.
Clean boot complete with all the kit (warning triangle, jack, chock (and spacesaver under the cover)
Edited by g3org3y on Tuesday 17th September 07:52
Nice looking car, that. Reminds me of my old 328ci.
Bought it for £850 as a basket case, fixed a LOT on it, and ran it all around Europe covering 40,000 miles in two years. Only went because the rear subframe started pulling out, and the rust meant it wasn't long for the world anyway. It went off to Holland to donate it's running gear to a lesser E46. Had a massive amount of history, and drove lovely. It had Koni orange shock absorbers on it, and some generic lowering springs. It did scrape on the odd speedbump though!
Put 17 inch wheels on it though. The E46 was much more designed for them. While the MV1's look great, they're a little big and heavy for the platform.
My old bus parked up in Reims after a hot drive smashing through France.
Bought it for £850 as a basket case, fixed a LOT on it, and ran it all around Europe covering 40,000 miles in two years. Only went because the rear subframe started pulling out, and the rust meant it wasn't long for the world anyway. It went off to Holland to donate it's running gear to a lesser E46. Had a massive amount of history, and drove lovely. It had Koni orange shock absorbers on it, and some generic lowering springs. It did scrape on the odd speedbump though!
Put 17 inch wheels on it though. The E46 was much more designed for them. While the MV1's look great, they're a little big and heavy for the platform.
My old bus parked up in Reims after a hot drive smashing through France.
Mr Tidy said:
Despite the sensor issue, that looks like a real bargain! 
I'd stick with MV1 wheels - I'd hate having to try to clean any Alpina ones.
I think both the MV1s and the Alpinas would be equally niggly to clean. Have however been using a new alloy wheel cleaner which is amazing.I'd stick with MV1 wheels - I'd hate having to try to clean any Alpina ones.
Tempted by the Alpinas as smaller so better ride (though admittedly good on SE suspension anyway) and also cheaper tyres. Would think about getting some Michelin Cross Climates.
JakeT said:
You should see the green cloth interior it had! PDC, folding mirrors, and sport seats were the only options it had. Big engined E46's were nicely specced as standard though, so you won't be wanting.
I also have PDC but doesn't work (continuous beep when in reverse). Only SE spec here. Nice cassette player in the dash, 6 CD autochanger in the boot though.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff