Crappy Idle

[Badabing86]

Just hoping to get a little direction on this issue with my idle being funky. So at first my car would turn on then when place it into reverse it will die. Found that my Dip stick was't closed all the way so fixed that and no longer died in reverse. At the moment I will crank the car and will shoot up to about 1000 RPM, then sit at 750 RPM for a second. After that drop just right before it stutters to shut off then back to 1000. And keeps this going. What are some places beyond the vacuum lines that I can look at to be the suspect of it?

Appreciate all the help

[squidmaster]

1st thing to try, just because it's free, would be to clean out the ICV and AFM (do not adjust your AFM). Alcohol and some q-tips will do the job.

If that doesn't help, check for vacuum leaks. You can do the "cigar" trick", get one of those fog machines from a party supply store (this barely works so I don't really recommend this), or pay a shop to do a smoke test (ideal).

Likely it's one of these. If not, post again and there are a few more areas we can look at

edit: rubbing alcohol. would not recommend bud light.

[MrBurgundy]

vacuum leak,
afm
icv
tps

This is a great article. Read it and you should have some decent information to start a diagnosis

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...leshooting.htm

[Badabing86]

With the ICV and AFM, I have noticed people use carb cleaner for that. Is that fine to use or a no no?

[MrBurgundy]

With the ICV and AFM, I have noticed people use carb cleaner for that. Is that fine to use or a no no?

That's fine to use.

[squidmaster]

Do not use carb cleaner to clean the AFM. you are cleaning a variable resistor pad inside, by prising that black cover off the top. Use alcohol or electronics cleaning solutions. Do not use carb cleaner!

[MrBurgundy]

Yeah, squid is right, don't spray carb cleaner where all the good stuff is. I just meant, if you wanted to spray the needle or whatever, you'll be okay.