Inexpensive Carrera Speed & Reference Sensor alternative?

[Thrasher]

I just got this in a competitor's email:

Ever get in your 944 and it wont start? After troubleshooting you find the Timing Reference Sensor(s)
are bad and you pass out when you find out how much they cost...ESPECIALLY since there's
Two of them. to the rescue. We've found a Bosch replacement unit that works
great and it's less than half the price!

Description
Fits 924S, 928 85-95, 944 all, 968

Features
* 2 required for 8 valve motors, 1 required for 928 32 valve and 16 valve 944, 968

* Our search has discovered an alternative to the OEM Bosch Reference Sensor for the 928/944/968. Our sensor offers the same quality Bosch product, identical connectors with a slightly longer wire. If you demand OEM quality products for your Porsche, you have found what you are looking for at a substantial savings.

* Alt. #0.261.210.003

List Price: $194.53
Our Price: $66.00
You Save $128.53!

I replaced mine both last year, and the cheapest I found was roughly twice the price of these sensors. Can anyone confirm if they are/ are not the compatible with the 911 sensors? They sure look to be identical.



At this price, it may actually be worth it for Carrera 3.2 owners to keep a spare or two on hand for strandings.

[Rot 911]

Interesting. I wonder what engines they are made to fit originally?

[MBEngineering]

HI try a BMW E30 but I forget which engine M20???.

regards mike

[88911coupe]

I was looking at these when I recently changed my cyl head temp sensor. Can they be replaced with the engine in the car?

[MBEngineering]

HI yes if you can get them out of the holder, if not you will have to re set the gap with a old one and glue a 0.8mm washer to the bottom to set the gap between the flywheel ring gear and the sensor.

regards mike

[KTL]

Yes. There is a BMW replacement part that you can use instead of the original Porsche part.

WTB: 3.2 flywheel sensors

[Jim Garfield]

I recently replaced my sensors and tried to get confirmation from Bosch that the BMW parts were the same, or at least compatible. The sensors look identical in the photos, but I couldn't get anyone to to say that they are interchangable.

This is a copy of my email and the reply from Bosch:

7806010230

Ref#2212451

James
Thank you for your inquiry, although both sensors are used by Porsche Bosch Germany does not list these two parts as interchangeable.


Regards, Mike C.
Bosch Automotive Technical Support

************************************************** ********

Can you tell me if the BMW reference sensor # 0 261 210 002 and the Porsche reference sensor # 0 261 210 005 are interchangeable?

Thank you,
James Garfield

************************************************** **********



Someone at Pelican thought that the resistance might be different, but he wasn't sure...he suggested that I check with Bosch.
When push came to shove and I actually had to buy the parts I chickened out and went with the Porsche parts, as I didn't want to have a couple hundred dollars worth of unreturnable sensors that didn't work. If someone has actually used the BMW sensors I would really be interested as the savings is substantial.

[TroyGT]

Awesome information... wish I'd known this before going through my 22 page no start ordeal. I ended replaced two of the three sensors... one of them looks just like the above photo. I'd love to replace the other while I'm thinking about it... spare would be nice too. Where, where, where?

-Troy

[KTL]

Jay Auskalnis has purchased these BMW sensors and will be installing them. I will follow up with the results.

My gut feeling is they're fine. They're a simple reference sensor, much like an ABS sensor. They simply detect the motion of the flywheel teeth and the set screw in the flywheel. Although simple they may be, they aren't cheap!

[88911coupe]

Mike, are there any tips to getting the old sensors out or is it simply get a good grip on them with pliers and start yanking, hopefully not damaging the mounting bracket?
TIA

[MBEngineering]

HI if the sensors are that tight, remove the bracket and ither warm with a heat gun or freeing fluid, your PB blaster, WD40, plus gass, then fit a washer to the old sensor to set up the bracket again.

regards mike

[preston_brown]

Any update on this? I need a pair of these...soon.

[cliyde]

BUMP.
Anyone have the results on this? It just so happens my reference sensor bit the dust over the weekend. Now I need to order a replacement & would really like to $ave. Thanks!

[Thrasher]

There is another thread on this where guys have confirmed that the parts for the BMW are functionally identical, and maybe the only difference is a slightly longer cable.

I'll see if I can find it, but from what I recall, there's nothing more to follow up on - they work!

[SoCal70RSR]

The BMW ones worked for me.. I replaced both, the engine started just fine, my car is not drivable yet but I don't think that makes a difference. The fact it started means the BMW sensors worked.

[cliyde]

Excellent! Thanks for the info.

Originally posted by SoCal70RSR
...The fact it started means the BMW sensors worked.

[88911coupe]

Just to clarify...the gap is adjusted based on the bracket's installation...not how far you put the sensor into the bracket...correct?
Buck

[SoCal70RSR]

That is correct. The sensor is installed on the bracket via an allen bolt and the bracket has oblong holes to adjust the gap on the tip of the sensor against the flywheel.

[alniki]

Got a no-start problem and diagnosed to be a bad reference sensor by checking at DME connector pins 25-26 and at the sensor connector in engine compartment.
Replaced both reference and speed sensors with BMW ones from Pelican, part # 12-14-1-708-619-M14. They worked just fine and the length of the cable was a good fit, no need to make a loop.

Also replaced the original CHT sensor with a newer two-lead one. Cut the old cable off and used a 13mm box wrench to get the sensor off. The new one fits a 14mm wrench but can be turned in just by hand and slightly tightened with a plier, no special tool needed to really tighten it as it likely will not loosen easily thanks to the rigid cable being held by two grommets.

Thank you guys for the great info!!

[88911coupe]

Ed Hughes mentioned that he used the BMW sensors as well in his recent rebuild and as far as I know they worked fine.
I'll be doing the same thing shortly on the top end for my '88, although as far as I know the old ones were working fine.