Please to help - 1987 325i m20 cold starting problems

[rosphill]

I have an 87 325i 2.5L m20 w/ auto tranny that I've been working on a lot lately. It had a lot of vacuum leaks because PO did some really silly stuff which I have since fixed. I smoke checked it all for vaccum leaks and there are none now. Cleaned out the ICV with electric brake parts cleaner. It has the stock AFM box in the car, but the previous owner cut the bottom out of it to expose the air filter. New battery and alternator last week. It is running ALOT better but it is still having these cold start issues. If the car is being driven for the first time that day it takes a lot of tries to get it to start (starting fluid helps) and then it runs weak sometimes it dies when it is sitting there idling. If the car is warm or has been driven previously that day then there are no problems.
Does anyone have any advice for troubleshooting this issue?
Thanks much,
--Scott

[Sindako]

Mate . If your Car Dies While Cold Specially when you Press The Pedal then it's just like the problem i had and it took me two weeks to find it .

Watch this video .
My car used to do that while cold , but when it warms up everything gets back to normal .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9436QtWIS0Q

If you're having Probs like that /

Any ways . Check your Ignition system .
First , check out the distributor and Rotor , If Warn Change . If Not Just Clean .
Second. You Might Want to get some Shocks , I test my HT Leads using my hand , i just pass my hand over the leads . and if it hits me it's a bad lead .

[jlevie]

In this case I'd suspect the ECT sensor. But there is a chance that it could be a fuel pump problem. A gauge tee'd into the rail supply line for a cold start will tell.

[rosphill]

I will try another ECT and plan on testing the fuel pressure during cranking. Also looking at the ignition wires as well. The speed reference sensor wire that wraps around one of the ignition wires is really frayed so it looks like it is time for new ignition wires/distributor cap/rotor too.