Can someone help, PLEASE????

[nerburgring]

Hi there, my car has cut out alot in the last 18mths that i have had her, i've sort of learnt to live with it now, but it is a pain in the arse!! :mad:

I have been back and fore to the dealers, especially within the first 12 mths of warranty, but they kept telling me that, because the fault isn't consistant enough to register up on the ECU as a fault code, they don't know what is causing it? Bloody dealers!!!!!! :(

I was wondering if it could be the Idle Valve playing up maybe?? :confused:

There is no pattern to the cutting out, and doesn't happen all the time, just when you least expect it, but it's mainly after you've been driving for a while, and the engine is at Normal Running Temp. I've even tried driving slow and smooth, or even driving it hard, but still the same symptoms! :confused:

It cuts out when you are coming to a stop at a junction or traffic lights etc, when you dip the clutch just before you stop, she cuts out and you loose all steering aswell obviously!
Then you crank it over and she starts first time, no problem, and goes then until the next time, it decides to happen. There's just no pattern to it, only that it cuts out when you are going slow and the revs are low! :confused:

HOPE SOMEBODY CAN HELP ME........PLEASE!!!!!!:eek:

Cheers,

Pete.

[f13ldy]

What car is it?

It's a known fact that on the E36 BMWs the idle control valve gets a bit dirty and can cause the symptons you have without throwing up any fault codes.

Try removing it and cleaning it with carb cleaner.

[nerburgring]

It's a 2003, 320ci M sport coupe, 2.2 M54 engine

[ccfj1]

It does sound like the idle control valve, they get gundged up and don't close fully (at idle).

Like fi3ldy says, give it a clean and see if it helps.

part #8 here

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BD52&mospid=47620&btnr=11_2879&hg=11&fg=40

[Stock323iSaloon]

maybe idle control valve or the maf? have u tried driving with the maf unplugged - does it make any difference?

[nerburgring]

No i havn't tried unplugging the maf, where is it situated ? and will the car still run ok without it unplugged?
Cheers
Pete.

[f13ldy]

No i havn't tried unplugging the maf, where is it situated ? and will the car still run ok without it unplugged?
Cheers
Pete.

If there is no difference with it unplugged then you've found your problem...

My first two ports of call would be:

1) Unplug the MAF (situated behind the air intake). If it runs rough as a stray dog, move onto:
2) The ICV, remove and give it a clean.

[Stock323iSaloon]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BD12&mospid=47615&btnr=13_0905&hg=13&fg=15

unplug no. 8

[nerburgring]

Thankyou mates. you've been very helpfull, i will give these a try when i get chance, also had this sent to me from a chap on E46Fanatics;
Does this mean anything to you??

SEE BELOW;

Quote:Measure no. 4279488

M54 B22: Engine stalls when coasting

Release date 31/07/03 GB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vehicles affected E series E39 E46
Engine M54
Body CABRIO COMP COUPE LIM TOUR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Complaint

The engine stalls when the vehicle is coasting, e.g. when approaching traffic lights.
Vehicles concerned:
E39, E46 with M54/B22
Production period:
Start of series production to mid-April 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cause

Data status in the DME control unit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measure

In the event of a customer complaint, reprogram the DME control unit with DIS CD 35 or a more recent version. CD35 expected release is early September 03.
The modified data status in the DME control unit was introduced into production in calendar week 16/2003.

Print this and take it to them

[lumus]

sounds like you have a few things to try out there, which should get a result. Nothing I can add except good luck, it would drive me mental :(

[mnathan]

Hi Pete,

I wonder if you`re running very lean ? Did you notice the problems before or after the ECU remap?
That printout looks like its suggesting ECU data problems which could be either electrical in nature or if it contains corrupted data:confused:

Hope you get it sorted m8:)

Cheers

Max

[nerburgring]

Hi mate, fancy seeing you here!! No the problem has been there since day one, thought it was me at first, not being used to the car when i first got it, and stalling all the time, but then i realised it wasn't me, and was definately the car! As i say i really learnt to live with it until it cut out 6 times yesterday, now it's getting me down! :(

Would like to get it sorted before the S/C is fitted! :D

Speak soon,

Pete.

[mnathan]

Sorry m8:( I know how you feel especially since you`ve invested so much into it!!

I`ll post this on the bmwcar forum as well just for more exposure!:)

BTW you could try cleaning the MAF with maplin flux cleaner spray to see if its contaminated with debris and oil from your K&N filter?

Cheers

Max

[acshnitz_328i]

hi

iv been experience the same problems lately and it is exactly as the issue here!

mine is an e36 328i m52. would i just try the same methods as described or will it be something different in my case?

i only started to notice this over the last couple of months so im not sure what it could be.

[JazzMan]

hi

iv been experience the same problems lately and it is exactly as the issue here!

mine is an e36 328i m52. would i just try the same methods as described or will it be something different in my case?

i only started to notice this over the last couple of months so im not sure what it could be.

On the M52 - Dodgy idle while coasting can be caused by the cam position sensor, it may not even show a fault when you run a diagnostic. It can even show as a idle valve error even if its the cam position sensor that's at fault. Engine will run a lot better if it is that sensor that's on the way out and you replace it.

[acshnitz_328i]

On the M52 - Dodgy idle while coasting can be caused by the cam position sensor, it may not even show a fault when you run a diagnostic. It can even show as a idle valve error even if its the cam position sensor that's at fault. Engine will run a lot better if it is that sensor that's on the way out and you replace it.


ok so i will look into that. i will prob replace it any how just to see how it will perform and see if there is any difference.

where is it located and will i be able to change it myself?

[JazzMan]

ok so i will look into that. i will prob replace it any how just to see how it will perform and see if there is any difference.

where is it located and will i be able to change it myself?

IIRC it's part 17 on here, http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BG12&mospid=47431&btnr=11_1480&hg=11&fg=15 you can do it yourself but it's a bit of a pain to get to. You need to remove some of the other stuff around it first :)

[444bhp Ray]

good luck m8.;)