325is Running Problems and Installing TPS! HELP! - BMW Forum

325isBMW1988 · 03-01-2009, 02:38 PM

My e30 is having a terrible time starting and once started it runs like crap until it warms up. After it warms up and i drive it for 15-20 minutes it will start running like crap again like it was when i first got it started. Ive replaced everything to do with the fuel system and intake system except for those 2 brake booster vacuum lines coming out of the right side of the throttle body, but I'm buying those next paycheck. So does anyone know what else could be the problem?

Now for the TPS... Is there any special way or detail i need to worry about when putting on the new TPS?

silversled · 03-01-2009, 08:51 PM

on the cheap, try reseating all of the ignition wires; just pull them (coil included) and reseat them again. Might work, and it's free...they can work themselves a little loose and short out without reason...just a guess, but it doesn't cost nothing to try...good luck

325isBMW1988 · 03-01-2009, 10:28 PM

ill give it a try but i think its a little more difficult of a problem than that, but thanks!

silversled · 03-01-2009, 11:32 PM

only reason I mention is that my 1988 325i was pulling the same stunt. A little difficult to start, then ran fine for around 5 minutes, then ran like junk for another 10 minutes and then leveled out and was fine. An intermittant miss I would describe it was. I thought for sure I had a clogged fuel injector(s) but it turned out to be the #6 cylinder plug wire needed to be reseated. Must have been humidity that caused the hard start and then it burned off and then, as I live in chicago and go through many puddles and so forth moisture reaccumulated and caused the engine to revisit the same symtoms. As I was the last one in there on the wires I can only blame myself, anyway, problem solved. My 325i has 172K on it and the fuel injection has been without peer, never one problem with it (and I bought this thing 100K miles ago), it's almost scary as to how reliable this engine has been. I don't even like to look at it any more for fear of jinxing it....damn....anyway..best luck

325isBMW1988 · 03-02-2009, 09:22 AM

its snowing here in New England right now so ill take a look at the wires 2morrow!