3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
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I bet the instinctive answers are gonna be the MAF or ICV but my idle problem is a little different. During the day the idle is fine- stays at a constant 750rpm. Once i turn on the headlights, have car in neutral while in motion, and brake- the idle will drop to just under 500rpm and pop up to 800rpm. It will continue to do this until i come to a complete stop, then stays at 750rpm like normal. After about 10 minutes of normal driving the irregular idle goes away and it's fine. Now since this only occurs with the headlights on im thinking its something electrical. Volt regulator and/or alternator starting to go out? What are some thoughts? Thanks!
DUDE! i have the same damn problem. i can't figure that shit out either! i was leaning towards the same things. if you find a fix, please email me or post it! -Thanks
isnt it annoying!? im thinking of just changing the alternator as preventaive maint.. When i get around to it i'll let you know if this rectifies anything
hurm. i've got a similar problm in my 92 325i. only .. anytime that im idleing and i turn the wheel, the power steering makes the rpm drop about 200. feels like the car is about to die.
i would deffinatly take a look into possible electric problems from the way you decribed it, though i lack knowledge of what to reccomend.
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yea same here..when turning the wheel sharply the pwr steering draws alot of current and causes my rpms to drop and headlights dim. Somehow im sure this is all related
OMG! When I read that, I thought I had typed the description. My car does EXACTLY the same thing. What have you tried in search of a fix? Do you have any plans for tracking it down? Let me know...
By the way, mine seems to do it during the day sometimes too, even with the headlights off (but it's not as bad). It always goes away after the car has had ample time to reach operating temperature. It makes me think it has something to do with a part related to cold startup. Perhaps something besides the ICV is working then? I'm just wondering because I've cleaned the ICV...and the idle is totally stable the rest of the time. It's also dead stable once the car has STOPPED rolling forward. It's just annoying for that portion of time where you're slowing down to a stoplight and the revs are fluctuating. Brrr. Brrr. Brrr. Brrr. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. n
I had the same problem on my 92 325i. But i took my car to the local BMW dealer and they runned a diagnosis on the engine. They found out that the O2 sensor (in the exhaust pipe) and a chip in the ECU was faulty. The car is now back to normal and is working fine
Originally posted by uiuc240@Dec 2 2004, 02:04 AM ... It's also dead stable once the car has STOPPED rolling forward. It's just annoying for that portion of time where you're slowing down to a stoplight and the revs are fluctuating. Brrr. Brrr. Brrr. Brrr. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. n
Eric
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Exactly how mine is. Once stopped it's fine. Im at the same place with you on this one- I havent got a clue. I seached and found one post about an irregular idle and someone described almost the same scenario. But it didnt reveal any kind of solution.
DAZIUM- They replaced O2 sensor and chip and that worked? Your problem was identical to ours?
Hmmmmm...for some reason I find that solution to be a bit strange for what I'm experiencing...but maybe "93 325i" will be able to test out the theory and let us know??
The O2 sensor is a little far fetched, but the ECM is intriguing. My first thought was to check for any vacuum leaks, your car uses vacuum for the 'power' part of the power brakes. A leaky diaphragm in the brake booster might mess with the idle enough to cause problems during braking?
But then, a faulty ECM would cause all kinds of crazy crap to happen. So, test the ecm, if it passes, then maybe a vacuum leak or bad alternator.
Just food for thought. I really don't know, but wouldn't rule that out.
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I would try replacing the O2 sensor but it doesnt make sense. If it were the O2 sensor wouldn't the idle be screwy all the time?
Didn't realize that about the brakes, but same instance still applies. It only happens when my headlights are on and when the car is warming up for the first 5-10 minutes. The whole braking apesct of the problem is just coincidence because it's in neutral.
Oh and so far I have cleaned ICV and have inspected the intake lines for leaks and proper fitment. Hasn't made a difference. Also changed fuel pump, spark plugs, valve cover gasket, and some power steering hoses not as a solution but mainly for maintence purposes. Still persists.. Im leaning towards replacing alternator and belt and/or maybe a new battery? UUIC how old is your battery?
im not sure how old mine is either.. My car seems to crank fine upon start up tho. Just a thought, not positive that would even help..
My old 318i I had to replace the battery. I went to sears and beleive I got a diehard. Worked like a charm so as long as you get the right type the brand shouldnt matter.
Originally posted by 93 325i+Dec 2 2004, 03:55 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(93 325i @ Dec 2 2004, 03:55 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-uiuc240@Dec 2 2004, 02:04 AM ... It's also dead stable once the car has STOPPED rolling forward. It's just annoying for that portion of time where you're slowing down to a stoplight and the revs are fluctuating. Brrr. Brrr. Brrr. Brrr. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. n
Eric
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Exactly how mine is. Once stopped it's fine. Im at the same place with you on this one- I havent got a clue. I seached and found one post about an irregular idle and someone described almost the same scenario. But it didnt reveal any kind of solution.
DAZIUM- They replaced O2 sensor and chip and that worked? Your problem was identical to ours?
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Yes,they changed these parts and my car was fine. They said something about that the faulty ECU chip somehow killed the O2 sensor. If i wanted to change the O2 sensor myself,they said I had to do that the night before the service. If not the ECU chip could destroy the new sensor. I dont know if this is true,but I did what the service workshop said. Now the car is fine
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