UPDATE: Car Won't Idle/New Notes Check It

[shay91]

Once the engine is warm will it idle try to get the engine to operatingtemp and see if it holds the idle then

I can't even get it to operating temperatures.

A bad voltage regulator? When mine went bad, you could start the car and only keep it running if your foot was on the gas (when not in gear). The alternator wasn't charging the battery, so after a while the battery wasn't strong enough to keep the car running at idle rpms. It's REALLY easy to check the voltage regulator too, or at least on my Bosch alternator it was.

Good luck figuring it out!

I'll try to get my battery charged all the way up. It's drained from sitting up this winter. So maybe it'll idle then? Hell I don't know. I'm working at it though.

[shay91]

bump

[shay91]

bump

[SaltyOne]

Sounds like false air (vacuum leak). Try using some carb clean on the intake tract after the AFM. If the RPMs come up to a normal idle you have false air. If you cant find a leak try pulling the dip stick out slightly (acting as a ICV) Either way there's not enuf air. But I'm just a newbie.

[shay91]

bumpsy

[shay91]

bump

[Plastic Emperor]

I just picked up an 87 325is and it has your exact symptom. The #2 intake rocker is broken. When the belt failed did you go through the head?

no intake leaks. to put into better perspective, everything was working fine when the timing belt broke 3 years ago. since then its been slowly put back together and was completed last year. it was running and idling fine except for when the fuel pump went out and since it's been replaced it wont idle at all.

Also, how soon after you replaced the fuel pump did it start acting up? If it was idling fine, then the pump died and on the first startup with the new pump it runs but wont idle...it may be related to the pump

[defaultName]

Is the check engine light on?

[shay91]

I just picked up an 87 325is and it has your exact symptom. The #2 intake rocker is broken. When the belt failed did you go through the head?

I replaced the head. It had bent valves. But I'll be sure to check it. But also, if I give it gas it run fine. Just when I let off of it, it just either won't idle or stay idling. Thanks

Also, how soon after you replaced the fuel pump did it start acting up? If it was idling fine, then the pump died and on the first startup with the new pump it runs but wont idle...it may be related to the pump

Right after I replaced the pump, the next pump was bad. I just recently retrofitted a new one on. I don't think I have two fuel pumps but anyone can correct me if I'm wrong and that maybe the problem. I'm not sure which cars come with 2.

Is the check engine light on?

Yes and the code was for the AFM but I bought a brand new one, however the code is still there. I removed the fuel hose from the FPR and did a quick crank and the fuel shot out like no tomorrow. strong spurt. It does try and idle some times, when it gets to low it tries to "catch" itself and bring the RPMs back up. I'm thinking its TPS related right now though. But I'm still all ears. Thanks

[scrowner]

At this point, trusting you checked for air leaks, my guess is TPS. We had and E30 that had silly low idle issues and a new TPS fixed the issues.

[shay91]

bought a new one already... guess I'll be checking it out tomorrow

[shay91]

bump it up