BMW 3 Diesel Camshaft Sensor Symptoms and Solutions

Hi there! I've got some experience with BMWs and I can relate to your issue. Had a similar problem with my 2008 BMW 5 diesel last year. The symptoms were pretty much identical to what you're describing. After the same headaches, rough idle, stalling, and jerky acceleration, I took it to my regular workshop. Turned out the encoder wheel on the camshafts was defective, which was messing with the sensor readings. The full repair, including parts and labor, set me back 695 Euro, but the car's been running smoothly since then. Can you share more details about your car? Like the specific engine variant and current mileage? This would help me tell if you're likely dealing with the same issue I had. This seems quite common on these engines, and I've learned a bit since dealing with mine. Let me know the details, and I might be able to point you in the right direction.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My 3er has 5916 KM on the clock and had its last service pretty recently. Those symptoms you described match exactly what I'm experiencing. The encoder wheel issue seems like a solid lead, I've been worried it might be something more serious. Did you notice any specific warning codes when your issue occurred? Also, that repair cost gives me a good idea of what to expect. Think I'll get it checked out by my mechanic this week to be on the safe side.

Hey again! Thanks for the follow-up. Yes, when my 5 series had these issues, I remember getting fault code P0340, which is specifically related to the camshaft position sensor circuit. The weird thing is, my issues started showing up around 6000 KM too, so we're in the same ballpark mileage-wise. Just to add to what I mentioned before, before I got it fixed, I noticed the problem was worse when the engine was cold. The jerking during acceleration was particularly bad in the mornings. Did you notice anything similar? The encoder wheel diagnosis turned out to be spot-on in my case, but just make sure your mechanic checks the wiring connections too. There was a small chance it could've just been a loose connection, which would've been a much cheaper fix. In my case, it wasn't that simple, but it's worth checking. After getting it fixed, the difference was like night and day. No more stalling, smooth acceleration, and that annoying check engine light finally went off. If your symptoms are as similar as they sound, I'd bet you're dealing with the same issue. Keep me posted on what your mechanic finds!

Thanks for all those details! Yes, actually, the problems are definitely worse in the morning! I've been avoiding early drives because of how badly it jerks when cold. Haven't checked the fault codes yet, but I'll make sure to mention the P0340 code to my mechanic when I take it in. Good tip about checking the wiring connections first, I'll ask them to start there before jumping into replacing parts. Really hoping it's just a loose connection, but at least I know what I'm potentially looking at cost-wise if it turns out to be the encoder wheel. You've been super helpful with all this info. I'll update you once I get it checked out. Fingers crossed it's a straightforward fix like yours was!