BMW 8 Camshaft Sensor Issues: Owner Seeks Expert Help

I had nearly identical issues with my 2017 BMW M4 last summer. The symptoms you're describing match what I experienced, rough idle, misfires, and significant power loss. Initially thought it was the sensor too, but when I took it to the shop, they found it was actually a damaged wiring harness connecting to the camshaft position sensor. Some wires had worn through and were causing intermittent connection issues. The repair involved replacing the entire wiring harness section and the sensor connector. Wasn't a major mechanical issue, but definitely needed proper diagnosis and repair. The symptoms can be quite concerning, but in my case, it wasn't as serious as I first feared. If you're getting similar error codes, have them check the wiring and connections first before replacing the sensor itself. These symptoms can really keep you guessing, but proper diagnosis is key. Sometimes what seems like a sensor problem can be just a connection issue.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the wiring harness issue. Good to know it wasn't something more serious! My symptoms sound exactly like what you described. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much the repair ended up costing you? And has everything been running smoothly since they fixed it, or have you noticed any other quirks? Been a bit paranoid about every little noise since this started.

Hey there! Thanks for asking about the follow-up. Honestly, I'm really glad I could help with my experience, and I've got good news for you! After taking it to the mechanic, they found and fixed the issue, it was indeed just a faulty cable connection to the camshaft sensor. The total came to 95€, which was actually less than I was worried it might be. And here's the best part, my M4 has been running like a dream ever since! No more rough starts, no power issues, nothing. You mentioned being paranoid about every little noise, I totally get that! I was the same way for the first couple weeks after the repair. But seriously, once they fixed that connection problem, everything went back to normal. It's been super smooth sailing since then. The engine's back to its old self, responsive and strong like it should be. The repair was honestly pretty straightforward once they identified the exact problem. So try not to worry too much, these things happen with modern cars, and usually, the fix isn't as complicated as we fear. Just make sure you get it looked at by someone who knows what they're doing with BMWs.

Just got back from the mechanic and I'm feeling so relieved! You were spot on about getting it properly diagnosed first. Turned out it wasn't the camshaft sensor itself but actually a similar wiring issue to what you had. The mechanic I found was great, really took the time to explain everything and show me the worn wiring. The repair cost was pretty reasonable, around what you paid, and my BMW is running perfectly now. The rough starts are gone, and that drop in power I was experiencing has completely disappeared. I can't believe what a difference fixing that small wiring problem made! Thanks again for sharing your experience. It helped me stay calm about the whole situation and gave me a good idea of what to expect. It's such a relief to have this sorted out. No more stressing about every little engine sound! Honestly, I'm just happy to have my car back to its normal self.