How to replace a Camshaft Position Sensor in a Porsche Boxster

[flbellam]

Hey guys need help. How do you change this and where is it located?

[Cloudsurfer]

There are two, one per bank, and are located at the non-driven end of each intake camshaft, i.e. at the right front of the engine for the 1-3 bank, and the left rear of the engine for the 4-6 bank. Held in place by a single 5mm allen.

[clickman]

I've never done it, but my Bentley manual appears to have a pretty good set of instructions. I suggest you get one if you're going to be doing much of anything on the car yourself. Good luck

[sd.johnny23]

Hi Guys, does anyone have a picture or diagram for where the camshaft position sensor is located? Thanks!

[Paul]

What year and motor?

[Gary in BR]

I need the same for a 99 2.5. Thanks in advance

[jhandy]

i dont know if this helps...but it would appear the camshaft position sensor is number 34 in the picture right in front of the forward intake port.

[flouese]

Originally Posted by flbellam

Hey guys need help. How do you change this and where is it located?

I went back thorough the forum looking for a procedure on how to remove and replace the camshaft position sensors. How did you go about doing this, I.e. a procedure?

[steved0x]

This article may have some information:

Porsche Boxster Engine Sensor Replacement - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

[78F350]

Originally Posted by steved0x

This article may have some information: ...

Steve, note his post in the comment section of that article a few days ago (Oct 11).

Here's a picture from when I was swapping out the sensor behind the driver's seat in a '99. I just had the panel behind the seats removed and reached in with a small wrench. Nothing else had to be removed.

Oh no, another...

The one under the AOS... will probably need the AOS removed.

Try out some Googling with variations of "Renntech", "Camshaft position sensor", and maybe your code "P0341" etc... Not only for info on how to remove the sensors, but more insight into what the root problem may be.
https://www.google.com/search?q=renntech+cam+position+sensor+AOS&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

[BoxMann]

I got a CEL, scanned the OBD, and I get this:

P0349 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Intermittent (Bank 2)

A few questions:

1) Does Bank 2 mean for cylinders 4 - 6?

2) If so, what's involved in removing and replacing it? Do you need to remove the top engine cover or is it accessed from behind the seats, or some other way? (Seems that it's a totally different procedure depending on whether its the Bank 1 or Bank 2 sensor)

3) Does replacing it solve the problem, or could something else be causing it to act this way?

4) Finally, is there any possible way this could be an early warning of an impending IMSB failure? (I know there aren't any clear warning signs, but I believe there are a couple of tiny ones)

As you can see below, I have a 2004 S.

Thank you.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by BoxMann

I got a CEL, scanned the OBD, and I get this:

P0349 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Intermittent (Bank 2)

I wouldn't buy a sensor yet. It could be a wiring issue. Unfortunately, an intermittent issue is sometimes harder to find. Check the connectors first, then look at the wiring.

[BoxMann]

Originally Posted by piper6909

I wouldn't buy a sensor yet. It could be a wiring issue. Unfortunately, an intermittent issue is sometimes harder to find. Check the connectors first, then look at the wiring.

Good point. This is not a DIY. I'm bringing it in to the local indy shop tomorrow.

Do you know what's involved in replacing it?

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by BoxMann

Good point. This is not a DIY. I'm bringing it in to the local indy shop tomorrow.

Do you know what's involved in replacing it?

Never done it, sorry.

I just didn't want you to go down the wrong rabbit hole with an "intermittent circuit" code by assuming it's the sensor.

[hockenheim]

Reviving an older thread.

Has anyone replaced the Bank 1 camshaft position sensor in a 2.5L engine (see this diagram for bank 1 vs. bank 2). I have the Bentley manual and Wayne's book, but I am finding it very hard to reach the bolt that holds the sensor down. (Wayne's book has the engine removed which makes access a cinch and Bentley simply instructs to unclip the connector and undo the bolt).

I am thinking about removing the secondary air pump to improve the access from the top but before I do I want to see whether someone has better instructions.

[Stl-986]

Think it's the same on all of the engines...and it's a pain. Have to take the AOS out. Removing the pump may not help much. Remember, it is a hex head, not a torx head and can be in there pretty good. Dont strip it or you will be in for a lot of fun

[hockenheim]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

Think it's the same on all of the engines...and it's a pain. Have to take the AOS out. Removing the pump may not help much. Remember, it is a hex head, not a torx head and can be in there pretty good. Dont strip it or you will be in for a lot of fun

Thanks. Ouch, removing the AOS is not what I am hoping to have to do. I take it all the work is done from the top of the engine, not the bottom?

EDIT: I looked at Wayne's book and it describes the AOS removal. He recommends disconnecting the bottom flex hose from the underside of the car.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by hockenheim

... EDIT: I looked at Wayne's book and it describes the AOS removal. He recommends disconnecting the bottom flex hose from the underside of the car.

Here's a video from a few years ago showing removing/replacing the AOS on a 2000 Boxster with manual transmission, mostly from below.

[Stl-986]

The AOS must come out. The sensor sits right below it. No way to get it out without removing the AOS.