Mercedes Benz E-Class W210 Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement

Your fuel injection computer (DME) may output a code that indicates a faulty camshaft position sensor (CPS). This important sensor tells the car's computer where the camshaft lobes are located in relation to the combustion cycle. The DME takes the signals from the cam position sensor and crankshaft position sensor, and calculates when to fire the fuel injectors and spark plugs. If the camshaft position sensor is not operating properly, your car will run very erratically or perhaps not at all.

Replacement of the sensor itself is quite easy. Begin by disconnecting the battery at the terminal access point in front of the rear seat. This prevents any errant voltage or short circuits from the battery. One of these could ruin your day very quickly as the vehicle's fuel injection system is very sensitive to voltage. Be safe and disconnect it.

Now locate the sensor on the front of the M104 engine, right next to the water pump. Pull back the locking tab on the electrical connector and pull the connector off the sensor. Then, using a 5-millimeter Allen wrench, remove the two bolts on either side of the sensor. The sensor should pull out of its location in the cylinder head. Once removed, disconnect the electrical connection going to the sensor. Also make sure that the O-ring that seals the sensor to the cylinder head is not still stuck inside the cylinder head. If the O-ring is stuck inside the head, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to carefully remove it.

Now clean the inside of the bore for the sensor with a rag. Take the new sensor and place it into the hole in the cylinder head making sure it seats into position correctly. Now lightly snug up the bolts holding it in place and you're done.

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Time: 1 hour
Tab: $130
Tools: 5mm Allen/hex driver
Applicable Models: Mercedes-Benz W210 (1996-03)
Parts Required: New camshaft position sensor
Hot Tip: Disconnect battery, ALWAYS
Performance Gain: Better control of fuel injection and engine timing
Complementary Modification: Replace crankshaft position sensor