So I get a distraught call from my folks the other day about how their 528i just decided to up and stall at a light and how they had a hard time getting the car started again. It's a 97 E39 528 auto (as seen in my profile since they get to drive it more than I do).

Hooked up the OBD-2 scanner and lo and behold, a crank position sensor error. No problem, one gets ordered and picked up today. I crawl under the car, take off the wind deflector cover thing behind the bumper and take a peek. Crank has that huge reluctor gear behind the pulley like it should. After a few minutes of searching, I found the bracket where the sensor goes up in the 10 o'clock position of the motor if you're staring straight at it. Basically it's under a radiator hose, but still approachable.

Notice... I said the bracket where it goes. The sensor was nowhere to be found. Additionally, neither was the wiring or connector! What gives?