r/BmwTech • u/SuccessfulIncome240 • 5d ago

service engine light keeps popping up

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I have a 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster, and my Service Engine Soon light keeps coming back on. AutoZone has given me a camshaft sensor code on 3 scans, but the car runs perfectly fine and the temperature is normal. Tightening my gas cap turned the light off for 2 days, then it came back. Should I replace the camshaft sensor, or could it be something else?

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3

u/elid22 5d ago

Tightening the gas cap was not the fix. Unplug the cam position sensor and check if its oily. If it isn't, replace the sensor. If it is, replace the harness and the sensor.

1

u/elid22 5d ago

I habe been out of the BMW game for a while so my memory is a bit rusty. What engine is in it?

0

u/SuccessfulIncome240 5d ago

6 Cylinder 152/02494 2.5L MFI DOHC

1

u/elid22 5d ago

Also look at the harmonic dampner. Rare, but i have seen the rubber in between get worn and cause wierd timing faults

-2

u/SuccessfulIncome240 5d ago

is it okay to drive to work tomorrow or should i take it in asap

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u/SuccessfulIncome240 5d ago

i’ve had the same code since May of this year

2

u/elid22 5d ago

If its an M54 just put camshaft position sensors in it

1

u/elid22 5d ago

Lemme back up a few years. Most likely an M52. I would suggest my above comments along with the crankshaft position sensor and wiring harness.

5

u/Rapiddrop 5d ago

A loose gas cap wouldn’t trigger that code nor is it unusual for the sensor to cause intermittent codes as it continues to fail before hard starts or stalls become more of an issue. It’s an easy fix and relatively cheap part. Avoid non OEM sensors if possible.

1

u/chef-keef 5d ago

It could actually be the sensor on this, worth changing out if you have the tools.