engine power loss

[pdigmann]

Hi, my name is Patrick. First time poster, long time reader. Great topic; love the show...

Now that formalities are taken care of; i am a new owner of a 1985 325e. Been having difficulties with the running of the car. It will start fine and run great up to somewhere between 2-5minutes since it was last started. At that point while driving it feels like the car just switches off (it is noticable to me, but not a jolt). minimal power, doesn't like revving under load, idle rpm lowers, has a lop to the motor at idle.

Here's the funky bit - turning off the car for 3 seconds or so and turning it back on again makes it behave normally for another 2-5 minutes. That's all i have to do.

Where should i begin with this gremlin (surely i'm not the first with this issue)?

thanks - Patrick

(just FYI - here's the list of what i've already tried: AFM tested and fine; fuel pressure tested-40psi; new wires; good plugs & gap; coil reads marginally high impedance-just under 6k; O2 sensor looks ok-not tested and is 4-wire adaptered into the OE plug which was corroded a bit)

[THCRocco]

I am having the exact same issue. I am going to swap the ecu out tomorrow and i'll let you know what happens.

[spdracrm3]

dis-connect your O2 sensor and see if problem stops ,if yes replace your bad O2 sensor (from your description its about the timeframe the ECU will start using the O2 signal for fuel control , and cycling the key resets the time to O2 use ), and it could be wired in wrong if it not factory and hacked in aftermarket unit!