Affiliate link disclosure – The BMW Repair Guide uses affiliate links in their site. For more information on affiliate links, please click here.
Repair Summary
This article gives detailed instructions on replacing the camshaft position sensors in a BMW vehicle with the N52 6 cylinder engine. Even though we used a 2006 530xi to perform this repair, this article can be applied to any BMW vehicle with the N52 engine including most 2004-2013 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, X1, X3, X5, and Z4 models minor modifications to the repair steps.
See all vehicles this article applies to
E90 3 Series 323i
E90N 3 Series 325i
E90N 3 Series 325xi
E90N 3 Series 323i
E91 3 Series 325i
E91 3 Series 323i
E91N 3 Series 325xi
E91N 3 Series 325i
E91N 3 Series 323i
E92 3 Series 325xi
E92 3 Series 325i
E92 3 Series 323i
E92N 3 Series 323i
E92N 3 Series 325xi
E92N 3 Series 325i
E93 3 Series 325i
E93 3 Series 323i
E93N 3 Series 323i
E93N 3 Series 325i
E60 5 Series 523i
E60N 5 Series 525Li
E60N 5 Series 525i
E60N 5 Series 523Li
E60N 5 Series 523i
E61 5 Series 525i
E61 5 Series 525xi
E61 5 Series 523i
E61N 5 Series 523i
E61N 5 Series 525i
F10 5 Series 523i
F11 5 Series 523i
E83N X3 Series X3 2.5si
E85 Z4 Series Z4 2.5si
E89 Z4 Series Z4 23i
F18 5 Series 523Li
F18 5 Series 520Li
E60 5 Series 523Li
E60 5 Series 525Li
E81 1 Series 130i
E87 1 Series 130i
E88 1 Series 128i
E88 1 Series 125i
E82 1 Series 128i
E82 1 Series 125i
E87N 1 Series 130i
E90 3 Series 330xi
E90 3 Series 330i
E90 3 Series 328i
E90 3 Series 328xi
E90 3 Series 325xi
E90 3 Series 325i
E90N 3 Series 330i
E90N 3 Series 328xi
E90N 3 Series 328i
E91 3 Series 330xi
E91 3 Series 330i
E91 3 Series 328xi
E91 3 Series 328i
E91 3 Series 325xi
E91N 3 Series 330i
E91N 3 Series 328xi
E91N 3 Series 328i
E92 3 Series 330xi
E92 3 Series 330i
E92 3 Series 328xi
E92 3 Series 328i
E92N 3 Series 330i
E92N 3 Series 328xi
E92N 3 Series 328i
E93 3 Series 330i
E93 3 Series 328i
E93N 3 Series 330i
E93N 3 Series 328i
E60 5 Series 530xi
E60 5 Series 530i
E60 5 Series 525i
E60 5 Series 525xi
E60N 5 Series 530xi
E60N 5 Series 530Li
E60N 5 Series 530i
E60N 5 Series 528xi
E60N 5 Series 528i
E61 5 Series 530xi
E61 5 Series 530i
E61N 5 Series 530xi
E61N 5 Series 530i
F10 5 Series 530i
F10 5 Series 528i
F11 5 Series 530i
E63 6 Series 630i
E63N 6 Series 630i
E64 6 Series 630i
E64N 6 Series 630i
E65 7 Series 730i
E66 7 Series 730Li
F01 7 Series 730i
F01N 7 Series 730i
F02N 7 Series 730Li
E84 X1 Series X1 25iX
E83N X3 Series X3 3.0i
E83N X3 Series X3 3.0si
F25 X3 Series X3 28iX
E85 Z4 Series Z4 3.0si
E85 Z4 Series Z4 3.0i
E86 Z4 Series Z4 3.0si
E89 Z4 Series Z4 30i
F18 5 Series 530Li
F18 5 Series 528Li
F18N 5 Series 530Li
F02 7 Series 730Li
E70 X5 Series X5 3.0si
E60 5 Series 530Li
A faulty BMW N52 camshaft sensor will usually cause erratic engine surges and a lack of power.
There are two camshaft sensors in the BMW N52 six-cylinder engine and they have a very straightforward job; they monitor the position of the intake and exhaust valves and report the data to the engine control module (ECM). This data is used by the ECM to determine the proper fuel, air, and spark needed to keep the engine running at its peak performance.
Over time, age and the brutal engine heat take their toll on the sensors causing them to fail. The following image shows the camshaft sensors removed from a 2006 530xi with 130,000 miles. The sensors have actually begun to melt from the heat seriously affecting their functionality.
The tell-tale sign that the camshaft sensors are failing in your N52 six-cylinder engine is a "Service Engine Soon" error light in the instrument cluster with a camshaft position sensor error code on the diagnostic scanner. Camshaft position error codes may be one of the following: 2AA0,2A9a,2B62,2A9E,P0345,P0346,P0347 or P0348. Other signs that a camshaft sensor has failed in your N52 engine include a noticeable loss of power (especially while accelerating) and erratic engine surges. Please be aware that these symptoms can also be indicative of failing a failing VANOS solenoid(s). The BMW Repair Guide strongly recommends replacing your VANOS solenoid valves with the camshaft sensors when performing this repair. For more information on replacing your VANOS solenoids, please see our article BMW N52 VANOS Solenoid Replacement – 1,3,5,6,7,X1,X3,X5,Z4 6cyl..
The BMW N52 camshaft sensors are located on the front of the engine and are easily accessible without removing any parts. This is a simple repair for the home mechanic and will avoid a costly trip to the repair shop or dealership.
View the detailed parts diagram for this repair.
Includes detailed part diagrams, part numbers and links to purchase all of the required components needed to complete this repair.
Before starting this repair, you must have the following required parts.
Fits BMW N52 six-cylinder engines
The cam position sensor tells the engine when to inject fuel and when to spark. If you are experiencing periodic or permanent failure, you may have an engine that fails to start or stalls at random. You may be getting a check engine light.
BMW N52 six-cylinder engines
New camshaft sensors do not include the o-ring gasket. Always use new o-rings when replacing your camshaft position sensors!
Section 1 - BMW N52 camshaft sensor replacement
As discussed at the beginning of this article, the camshaft sensors are conveniently located on the front of the cylinder head. Please note that the exhaust camshaft sensor can often be slightly challenging to remove because of its awkward position behind the coolant hoses. Always use a steel punch or large metal pick to align the mounting hole during reinstallation (see step 6 below). This will avoid a huge amount of frustration when trying to reinstall the mounting bolt.- Locate and identify the exhaust and intake camshaft sensors as shown below.
- Staring with the intake camshaft sensor, use an E8 external torx socket to remove its mounting bolt.
- Remove the sensor from the cylinder head. If the camshaft sensor is stuck in the cylinder head (which it usually is), use a steel pick to gently pry it out.
- Unplug the sensor's electrical connection.
- Install a fresh o-ring gasket on the new sensor. Plug the new sensor in and install it into the cylinder head. Make sure to press it firmly so the o-ring properly seats.
- Use a steel pick or punch to align the mounting hole in the sensor with the threads in the cylinder head. Not aligning the mounting hole can make installation a nightmare.
- Tighten the mounting bolt until snug. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. If you break the mounting bolt you will have to drill it out of the cylinder head.
- Move to the exhaust camshaft position sensor. You may have to clear some coolant lines out of the way to get the E8 socket on the mounting bolt as shown below.
- Remove the exhaust camshaft sensor and install a new one using the same steps above.
BMW N52 Camshaft Sensor Replacement Finished
