323i icv 1985 euro

[2002jm]

This post is sort of related to my post below, but different question. Found out the wiring on the additional air valve were switched; car was running really rough. Switched wires, car ran much better started better but still needed some throttle to start; this is not normal. Rpms were at about 500. So I turned the screw on the idle control valve; note the engine was warm at this point and the engine turned off and will not start. Is this normal; or do I have a weird car:)??? The idle control valve is the slide valve on the manifold, on the exhaust side.
thanks,
jm

[kronus]

in an L-Jet motor there are two valves - the vacuum-controlled idle valve (big disk with a screw coming out that pushes on your throttle actuator) and the aux air slide valve (coolant-fed valve that cuts off air when the car is cold, sort of an auto-choke). neither is on the exhaust side of the motor.. can you post pics? it's possible you have some botched-together setup.

[e30davie]

There is an AC idle up valve too. which is just a solenoid that lets a bit more air in via a vacuum line, doesnt matter which way the wires go on that. but it is under the intake manifold somewhere near the coolant operated valve.

[2002jm]

in an L-Jet motor there are two valves - the vacuum-controlled idle valve (big disk with a screw coming out that pushes on your throttle actuator) and the aux air slide valve (coolant-fed valve that cuts off air when the car is cold, sort of an auto-choke). neither is on the exhaust side of the motor.. can you post pics? it's possible you have some botched-together setup.

[2002jm]

Below you can see the icv on my 85 323i The additional air valve is below the throttle body to the right. has a bunch of hoses going in and out. 2 water and 2 vac. Looks like some type of electric switch with power and ground down there also. The icv on the valve cover side has the brass screw that can be adjusted.
thanks, jm

[2002jm]

This is from my old hartge h26, same engine; exact same set up.

[e30davie]

You are going to have to be a bit more specific. with better photos. where are these wires you are talking about that you claim are reversed?

Yes the idle adjustment screw is on the exhaust side of the manifold, the screw points towards the firewall. but this isnt the only idle adjustment. there is a hard stop on the throttle body too.

Where are these wires you speak of? Apart from the AC idle up valve that i'm talking about (which I assume is what you are talking about with the wires, but arentin the photo), , the entire system is mechanical. which is why its so finicky. One tiny air leak anywhere and it will not run properly at all. And all the hoses are molded plastic ones that develop cracks.

On my 323i I pulled the entire lot out and started from scratch. basically re-piped it without any idle up at all and adjusted the idle with that brass screw. it used to start immediately and idle a little low, but after a few mins it idled fine.

[2002jm]

Thanks for the reply, The wires are down below the throttle body on the right side and they could be the AC idle up wires. I know I switched them and the car ran much better. My problem is the car was running until I turned the icv screw and then it stopped running. I turned it about 1-2 turns. Car turns over and has gas and spark, but no start. The icv must be very sensitive. I cleaned it out and put it back on and no start; no combustion at all; maybe not enough air, or too much to make a good fire in the cylinder.
thanks,
jm

[2002jm]

Here are some pictures of the additional air flow valve and the electric device with the two wires that I switched.
thanks,
jm

[e30davie]

That thing with the two wires is the AC idle up solenoid. and it doesn't matter which way the wires go. and it only turns on with AC to let a small amount of extra air in. and its kind of a retrofit for the cars with AC in its day, as it wasnt included on all of them.

you can see the parts in there.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=1182-EUR-06-1985-E30-BMW-323i&diagId=13_0246

and the system without it here,

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=1182-EUR-06-1985-E30-BMW-323i&diagId=13_0234

[2002jm]

ok, that is good to know; right now I have no fuel pressure. Car was running; rough, but running today or maybe yesterday no pressure...get to check the fuel pump tomorrow.
This car is really fighting me....and why did I sell the other 323i that ran great:)...oh yeah, the money:)
jm

[2002jm]

Well, the fuel pump is not working; new pump. Have to get that ordered:(.
Maybe the pump has been going out all this time and causing pressure problems.
jm

[2002jm]

so the pump was just pumping a bit of gas, not enough to keep the car running. I hope that was all that was wrong:). Everything else is new, so when the pump gets here I will put it in and try again; meanwhile, the front suspension and brakes are getting renewed.
thanks,
jm