BMW X4 Camshaft Sensor Drama: Stalling and Jerking Issues

Hey there! I had very similar issues with my 2011 BMW X3 35i last year. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced, the rough idle, jerks during acceleration, and that annoying engine light. Got mine diagnosed and it turned out to be the camshaft position sensor encoder wheel that was defective. It's a known issue with some BMW engines. The faulty encoder wheel was causing incorrect readings, making the engine management system confused about valve timing. The repair involved replacing both the encoder wheel and the sensor itself. Had to take the valve cover off to access everything. It was quite a serious job because they needed to ensure precise timing when putting everything back together. The engine runs perfectly smooth now. If you're experiencing these symptoms, don't drive it too long like this, it could potentially cause more damage to the engine. Your diagnosis about the camshaft sensor sounds right, but get it properly checked. Make sure whoever works on it has experience with BMW engines, it's not your typical sensor replacement job.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Really helpful as it sounds exactly like my problem. Glad you got it sorted. Curious though, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other issues pop up?

Hey again! Good to hear back from you! Just to update you, yes, I got it all fixed and it cost me 695 € total. That covered both the encoder wheel replacement and the labor costs. I know it's not cheap, but honestly, it was worth every penny. Since getting it fixed at the mechanic's, my X3 has been running like a dream, no more jerking, no more rough starts, and definitely no more limp mode! It's been about a year now, and I haven't had a single issue related to this. The engine runs super smooth, just like when I first got the car. The mechanic did tell me that this is actually a somewhat common problem with these engines, so you're definitely not alone in dealing with this. The important thing is getting it sorted quickly to prevent any additional engine damage. Trust me, once it's fixed, you'll notice the difference immediately, it's like driving a completely different car! If you end up getting yours repaired, let me know how it goes. Always good to share experiences and help others who might face the same issue!

Just got back from the mechanic and wow, what a journey! Turns out you were spot on. My camshaft sensor and encoder wheel were both shot. Found a really good mechanic who specializes in BMW engines through a 's recommendation. The total bill came to around 750, a bit more than yours but they also found and fixed a small oil leak while they were in there. I've been driving it for a few days now and honestly, what a difference! No more jerking, starts perfectly every time, and feels like I'm driving a new car. Thanks so much for your advice, really helped me understand what I was dealing with before heading to the shop. Saved me from getting the runaround at my old mechanic's place. Definitely keeping this new guy's number for future repairs. Now I can finally enjoy driving my X4 again without constantly worrying about it stalling!

On my E91 Touring 320i xDrive, model year 2007, the error appears sporadically. I have already installed a new camshaft sensor (original equipment quality). However, the engine starts without problems and doesn't jerk; the speed is also constant. The engine also doesn't smoke and pulls properly, delivering the necessary power for 170 hp. I'm at a loss...

(Translated from German)

Since you've already replaced the camshaft sensor and the engine runs smoothly, the sporadic error might be due to a wiring issue or a faulty connection. Check the wiring harness and connectors leading to the camshaft sensor for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose connections. Ensure all connections are secure and clean. If the issue persists, consider having a professional perform a diagnostic scan to pinpoint the exact cause. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!