NB camshaft position sensor part #ZJ10-18-221 vs #BP4W-18-230 difference?

[Keifersmith]

Looks like another camshaft position sensor on my 99 NB has gone bad (i.e. when it gets heat soaks the car won't run).

Mazdaspeed diagrams show the original part number BP4W-18-230 but after looking around online found a new part number ZJ10-18-221. I can also get it through Mazdaspeed by searching the part number. Also found several sites selling the newer part # for the NB.

Anybody happen to know what the difference might be between the two? Curious to know if the newer one is possibly just a different supplier or maybe redesigned to not be so failure prone? They do look a little different, the newer part is the one on the right.

[sammm]

The one on the right has more surface area...wouldn't that help it run cooler?

[motorollow]

found this on the pointy board for what it is worth:

Had similar problem on my 99 miata. Turned out to be not ths camshaft sensor but the pigtail or connector on the sensor. Had trouble with the car for a couple of years until I found the problem. If connector on camshaft sensor is a bit loose then you have a load of trouble. First thought it to be the sensor until i found out it was the connector.

[POS Racing]

If you plug in the original part number in Mazdaspeed's cart and then check availability you will see the BP4W-18-230 has been superseded by p/n ZJ10-18-221.

Copy and paste didn't work great but here are the results:

Parts Availability Inquiry Result
ORDERED PART NUMBER SHIPPING PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION QTY ORDERD QTY SHIPPING QTY B/O RACER PRICE RACER TOTAL PRICE ETA CORE CHARGE FLAG CORE CHARGE
BP4W-18-230 BP4W-18-230 1
>>S/S ZJ10-18-221 SENSOR,CAMSHAFT 1 67.25 67.25 N
Legend:
>>S/S: Super cession part
>>C: Component
Invalid part

[Keifersmith]

Thanks guys. New part # CPS is ordered and hopefully brown santa will bring it quick. POS, thanks for the mazdaspeed site pointer... never paid attention enough to realize the check inventory button would do that.