Excellent write up. This should help lots of folks. Should be a 'sticky' or a 'FAQ' designation.

THX

[]

Bob

 

Great writeup -- and I think I need to replace the CPS in my car b/c of issues in the cold weather. What's your guess on the labor charges if I were to have a mechanic do it?

 

Much appreciated. How nice of you to do this!

 

Hey thanks for the replies. One thing to note about accessing the sensor. You do not need to fully remove the black engine cover. One can probably just lift the side of the cover where the sensor lies to get access. I'd recommend to remove it fully to inspect the other hoses underneath since I found out one of my vaccumm hoses was pretty deteriorated.

As for the estimate for a mechanic to install it? I don't think it would be too much. Probably an hour to install it at the max unless they do all this other "testing." I would say between $100 - $200 for a mechanic to install it with the cost of the sensor included.

 

On behalf of Benzworld we would like to welcome you to the community earthwonder

Thank you for taking the time to post this excellent writeup.

 

My mechanic (non-dealer), did it for free. Brought the car in. Let it sit to cool a bit - I got coffee - was in by the end of the cup. []

 

Where is the location of CPS for 2001 E320? I tried to look for it but I could not.

 

Yeah, I would also like to know if it is fitted to a 1996 E230. I couldn't find it either. However, on the same location, there seems to be a hole which is meant for the CPS, if fitted. Thanks in advance.

 

Raylee and Black Stallion, I did a quick search for each of your vehicle's CPS sensor location and it says that it is located at the flywheel. A better way to find out where the CPS resides is to actually buy the sensor at the MB dealership and ask the parts clerk to show you a schematic of the location of the sensor. They tend to be very helpful.

 

Earthwonder, I thank you very much for the information and the tip. It is nice to see a man like you trying to help out fellow Benz owners.

 

I just had my CPS replaced by our mechanic and the car no longer struggles at idle in drive or reverse! Hopefully this will help it from stalling when it's cold out...

 

2005 thread but good one. Thanks for the pics. I think I have to replace my CPS since sometimes, engine turns but does not start. However, it almost always starts the second time I try.

 

Please help, i don't want to go to a dealer/autoshop for a 15 min diy job!

Aside from this posts (http://www. pointed three . /disc/f...17104&highlight=crankshaft+position+sensor&highlightmode=1&action=search#M17104) at pointed three and (http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopfor....com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=102905&highlight=crankshaft+position+sensor+diy) at mercedesshop, this is the most informative CPS post i've found by far.

However, no one ever gets into the specifics of the torque screw. I think i found what could be the cps at the back of the engine on my 99 clk 320. it's got a cable going to it, but i don't see the screw/bolt. is it correct that it's facing downwards and that you can only get to it with your hands but can't physically see it?

also, many of the posts indicate that a 1/4" drive E8 socket is needed. i wondered how earthwonder was able to remove a this bolt with an allen wrench, unless there is a small slot for such an insertion. if so, does anyone know the size of the allen wrench needed?

lastly, when you actually do a search for this part at thebenzbin, fastlane, etc, you'll find two (e.g. http://mercedes.thebenzbin.com/?year=1999&make=MB&imageField22222.x=25&imageField22222.y=12) one with a double interlock at the flywheel for over $100 bucks, and one with a single interlock for approx $75 bucks. which is the correct part as they're both listed for a 99 clk 320. Many have mentioned that your local Autozone would have this part as well, they only have one listed (http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroke...~5282|~SU4740|~NONE|~$54.99|~Mercedes+Benz|~CLK-320|~1999|~3+MO|~0.092|~NONE|~V) and it's only $55 bucks for the part (albeit a non oem brand). Not sure which to go with.

thanks so much. this should answer a lot of the same questions i would think many others would have. e.g. aside from where it is, the direction its facing and what type it is (e.g. need socket or allen wrench), and the exact part (considering that there are typically 3 options).

cheers all. i hate that i know this is a sub $100 part (potentially $55 if you guys think the autozone part is ok), and that it takes only 15 minutes to replace, but even the local auto shop wants to charge me $220 to make the replacement. ridiculous!!! that god for all you diy'ers!!!

 

Nyhsa

Bump and Cool!

Cool, complained about the CPS problem to NYHSA and someone actually got back to me,... do I hear service campaign alla harmonic balancer... if enough of us complain as well?

"Dear Sir/Madam,



Thank you for reporting to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concerning engine stalling (due to crankshaft position sensor (CPS) failure) in your Mercedes vehicle.



The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of NHTSA has received a number of complaints on the subject issue. To assist us further in evaluating the issue, please scan and email the repair invoice for the CPS replacement. Also, if you have the old CPS and no longer need it, please let me know and I can email you the shipping information so you can send the CPS to us free-of-charge.



Was there any warning prior to the CPS failure?
How difficult was it for you to control the vehicle after the engine stalled?
Were you able to re-start the engine right-the-way? If not, how long did you have to wait before the engine was able to be restarted? If the engine restarted, did it stalled out again?
Please email the links of any internet forums you know of where the subject matter was discussed.


Thank you very much.



Steve Chan

Safety Defects Engineer

ODI/NHTSA

(202) 366-8537

Fax: (202) 366-7882"​

 

ok

thanks ,i will try that

 

Wow this thread was exactly what i was looking for.


i'm REALLLLLLLLLLLY hoping that a new CPS will take care of my occasional cranking problem and also rough idling.

 

i just removed the engine cover and the wire that connects to the CPS. however i could not remove the CPS itself because i do not have exernal torx sockets. but i dont think i'd be able to do anything even if I had these sockets because there is NO ROOM.

i cannot understand how the original poster was able to loosen the torx bolt with an allen key??? i'm not seeing the conneciton here, hex key with a torx ???

 

i just removed the engine cover and the wire that connects to the CPS. however i could not remove the CPS itself because i do not have exernal torx sockets. but i dont think i'd be able to do anything even if I had these sockets because there is NO ROOM.

i cannot understand how the original poster was able to loosen the torx bolt with an allen key??? i'm not seeing the conneciton here, hex key with a torx ???

I used a 1/4 socket torx wrench E8 with a 25 inch long 1/4 socket extension , and was perfect for the job. Oh, and i do it from the top of the engine, i had just to put a light on and to divert the diesel pipes that go to the filter. It was a very tiny space, but i do it and i'm not properly a skinny guy

 

Earthwonder, thank you very much for the information.

 

As I said in the original post, it is almost impossible for a ratchet set even with the correct torx sockets to fit down there. The allen wrench tool is basically the same shape as a torx socket, but much skinnier and smaller so that's why it worked flawlessly. I know it looks impossible, but when you actually get the tool within range of the nut, it's very doable. Just a quick counterclockwise twist to loosen it up and you're on your way to no more c-c-c-crank. You can pick up a small packet of allen wrenches for about $5-10 at any Walmart or auto shop.

Thanks for all the props, it's very much appreciated.

 

excellent post ! should be a sticky.
the cps on my 00 e430 gave up around 74K miles. the car stalled in the middle of the street and just shut off. wouldnt run no nothing. it sux that a mercedes has to go through that just because of a $45 sensor !
good think the dealer knew and so did people on the mercedes forums !
My suggestion, as preventative measure, have this replaced if your car is more than 100K mile as this gives out soooner or later.and if you don't want to replace it then atleast keep one in your trunk.
btw, this is not w210 specific. same exact scenario with my 300E around 187K miles. had to have it towed to find out the same issue.
Mercedes could've done a better job with this part ! perhaps have the car run in limp mode atleast rather than just dying without giving any warning or indications as to what the cause of the failure is !

 

If you complain about MB CPS try Ford PowerStroke.
Each owner of those is driving with spare CPS and 10 mm wrench (on FORD?). It is much easier to replace them on front of the pickup.
I replaced CPS on V8 ML55 and the access from the top was impossible. I went thru the wheel well. Removing inner fender and heat shield took just few minutes and than I had decent access to the CPS without worrying about dropped bolts.
The bolts have different dimensions on different models. The AMG engine had 6 mm and I was able to use 12-point 1/4" to do the job.

 

just adding location/pics taken from my 99 E320 V6

 

If you complain about MB CPS try Ford PowerStroke.
Each owner of those is driving with spare CPS and 10 mm wrench (on FORD?). It is much easier to replace them on front of the pickup.

The bolts have different dimensions on different models. The AMG engine had 6 mm and I was able to use 12-point 1/4" to do the job.

Hello everyone,

Does anybody know for sure what size E Torx it would be for a 2000 E320? Based on different threads it seemed as though E8 was the agreed size. I ordered an E8 socket and it does not fit. It feels too small. Should I order an E10?

Thanks.

 

Thank you so much for the picture on V6 engine. I am sure many, many people will appreciate it.

 

Well, it's also a mistery to me how can an Allen wrench work on an E-Torx bolt head. This is what I used to remove and install the CPS, a Heyco sliding t-bar with an E8 socket. It was a fairly straightforward deal.

Cheers.