86 Idel Problem (help)

[Skatebline]

My 1986 325es is ideling from 600 to 1000 rpms and sometimes to 1200 rpms mostly all the time. I was wondering if anyone would probly know the reason that its doing that?

[Starmavin]

That sounds like a faulty idle control motor, make sure you don't have any intake leaks, especially around the flex sections of the intake boot (very easy to miss there). Then unplug the idle control motor and see if it jumps up and down. If the idle stops fluxuating, replace the motor. If it's still fluxuating you may have a dead spot in you air flow meter.

[Skatebline]

Alright im gonna have to try that. i was thinking it could be the idel control motor too, if its bad im am i gonna have to buy a new one or is there a way of fixing it? How much do they run for?

[Starmavin]

Sadly they can't be fixed. They go for around 150 new, used ones are about 30-40 bucks.

[Paraklas]

I have a working Idle Control Valve taken of my 1989 E30 318i M40 Engine, T-Shape Bosch if anybody wants it. I thought it was problematic and I bought a new one cause I had bad idle but in the end the air flow meter needed adjustment.

[Skatebline]

The Air Flow meter is the Mass Air Flow sensor right? or is it a different thing

[ldsbeaker]

That Idle Control Valve is touchy. I was cleaning a bit under the hood and I guess I bumped it because when I started my car up, it did the 600-1200 idle thing. Good thing I know what to do. disconnect, wiggle, reconnect. Good as new!

[Starmavin]

It's called the air flow meter because it measures the volume of air with a flapper door not the actual mass as the mass air flow meter measures the mass of the air by measuring the amount of electrical resistance the heated sensor wire has. Less air hotter the wire is, more air cooler the wire is.

[Starmavin]

If you car is and 86, you have the L shape two wire style idle air controler.

[Skatebline]

So you think if i just unplug the idel control then wiggle the prongs then plug it back it in, it should work. What if i do that and nothing happens.

[Starmavin]

Originally Posted by Skatebline

So you think if i just unplug the idel control then wiggle the prongs then plug it back it in, it should work. What if i do that and nothing happens.

Just unplug it while it's running, the rps should go up about 100-300 rpm and then hold steady.

This won't fix it, but it will tell me and others what else may be wrong.

[Skatebline]

Well i did that and it reved up about 300 more rpms and stayed up there for a little bit then it would start reving up and down until i would plug it back in.???