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BMW fault code 160020: crankshaft sensor
Crankshaft sensor fault. What the code means, its most common causes and what to do.
Codes in this family
Six-digit BMW codes stored by the engine control unit (DME). The same code appears in this form in ISTA and in the MOSTUNED app.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 160020 | Crankshaft sensor, signal: Faulty |
| 160001 | Crankshaft sensor, signal: Missing |
| 160021 | Crankshaft sensor: general loss of synchronisation |
What does 160020 mean?
The crankshaft sensor reports engine speed and piston position. Ignition and injection timing depend on it. If the signal is disturbed or lost, the engine stumbles, may stall or may not start at all.
Most common causes
Top to bottom, starting with what is easiest to check.
| Cause | What to check |
|---|---|
| Sensor | The sensor itself may have failed. |
| Wiring and connector | With intermittent entries the connector and wiring are checked first. |
| Trigger wheel | Rarely, damage to the trigger wheel on the crankshaft. |
Can you drive with this code?
If the engine stalls or will not start, have the car recovered. Even with an occasional entry, have it checked promptly because it can stall on the road.
How it relates to tuning
Tuning does not affect the crankshaft sensor. We do not tune while this code is open.
Read the code yourself, free
- 1 Install MOSTUNED on your iPhone.
- 2 Connect to the car with an ENET cable or WiFi-ENET adapter.
- 3 Open “Fault Codes” under Diagnostics; stored codes are listed with their descriptions.
- 4 Note the code, fix the cause, then clear it from the same screen and read again to confirm.
Frequently asked questions
What does BMW fault code 160020 mean?
The crankshaft sensor reports engine speed and piston position. Ignition and injection timing depend on it. If the signal is disturbed or lost, the engine stumbles, may stall or may not start at all.
Can I drive with code 160020?
If the engine stalls or will not start, have the car recovered. Even with an occasional entry, have it checked promptly because it can stall on the road.
Does clearing 160020 fix the problem?
Clearing removes the entry, not the cause. If the cause remains, the code returns when the conditions occur again. The right order is: read the code, fix the cause, clear it and read again to confirm.
How do I read code 160020?
You read it for free with the MOSTUNED app: connect your iPhone to the car with an ENET cable or WiFi-ENET adapter and open Fault Codes under Diagnostics. Bluetooth OBD (ELM327) adapters do not provide this connection.
Does tuning cause this code?
Tuning does not affect the crankshaft sensor. We do not tune while this code is open.
I cannot find the cause. What should I do?
Send us your car model, the code and a Logger recording if you have one on WhatsApp and we will look at it together. Related codes: 160001, 160021.
Next step
- All BMW fault codes — B48 / G-series code guide
- Download the app — Fault reading and clearing are free
- ENET cable and adapter guide — What you need to connect
- Using the Logger — Narrow down the cause with live data
- BMW 320i 300 HP — Torque, 100–200 and price
- BMW 320i tuning — €750 package in Ataşehir
- BMW 520i tuning — G30
- Blog — Tuning guides
Contact
Not sure?
Send your model, hardware and goal — we will pick the right package together. We do not sell what does not fit.